MEMORANDUM

TO: Potential Applicants, Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) Program
FROM: Burke Fitzpatrick, Administrator
RE: Federal Funding Cuts
DATE: January 2, 2008

Shortly before Christmas a consolidated appropriations bill was passed by Congress and signed by the President providing funding for federal programs through the remainder of the fiscal year. This bill severely cut criminal justice funding to the states through the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. All states are now facing a 66.7% decrease as compared to the previous year. For South Carolina, the JAG award administered by the Department of Public Safety is estimated to be $1.8 million for programs beginning on July 1, 2008. This compares with our current FFY 2007 award of $5.3 million.

I bring this to your attention so that expectations for grant awards this year are realistic. Although we are not discouraging the submission of proposals for new projects, it will be exceptionally difficult to recommend funding for new awards in the face of these cuts. It will be similarly difficult to recommend expansion of existing grant projects. The Office of Justice Programs intends to recommend to the South Carolina Public Safety Coordinating Council (our grant award authority) that existing projects with grant-funded personnel and which are successfully meeting their objectives, receive priority consideration for refunding.

Between now and the next federal fiscal year, the Department of Public Safety will be working with our counterparts in other states to educate policymakers on the vital impact these funds have on local law enforcement and public safety. South Carolina, in particular, needs every resource available to combat our alarmingly high rate of violent crime in this state. I hope that you will lend your voices to this issue as well.

Please remember that grant applications are due for submittal on our Grants Management Information System no later than 5:00 P.M. on January 11, 2008. If I may provide further information, please contact me at your convenience at 803-896-8702.