By Ed Somers
November 21, 2005

Congress has approved FY 2006 funding legislation (H.R. 2862), which dramatically cuts local law enforcement funding.

All funding for COPS hiring is now gone. In addition, funding for the Justice Assistance Grant Program was reduced to $416.5 million, a 34 percent cut from last year. Congress also eliminated the COPS interoperability program (was $100 million last year), eliminated the police integrity program (was $10 million last year), slashed drug courts down from $40 million to $10 million, and cut funding for Weed and Seed.

One of the few programs to see an increase was the State Criminal Alien Assistance program, which increased from $301 to $405 million. And, $40 million was included for a new anti-gang program.