Congress Attempts to Cut Victims' Fund Again
This just in from our friend Steve Derene at the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators:
The President's FY 2009 budget once again calls for recission of the Crime Victims Fund.... this year they want to remove $2 billion.The requested FY 2009 VOCA cap would remain at $590 million.
Established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA), was created to help provide services and compensation for victims of crime, including child abuse, homicide, rape and drunk driving. No taxpayer money is used; instead it is funded by criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorneys' Offices, federal U.S. courts, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Steve Derene has promised more analysis of what these cuts will mean for victims' groups and victims' compensation funds nationwide. We'll keep you posted.