CONGRESSMAN COSTA SUPPORTS CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK
ThePresident's proposed budget seriously jeopardizes the future funding mechanismof the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Crime Victims Fund. The Fund was enacted to pay for victims'services and compensations. It operateswith money collected from criminal offenders, not taxpayers. Once collected, the funding is distributed tovictims and organizations that provide victims' services. There are approximately 4,400 agencies thatdepend upon the victim assistance funds to provide direct services to 3.6million crime victims a year.
"DuringNational Crime Victims' Rights Week, it is crucial to remember the needs ofvictims and the resources we can provide them with," stated Costa. "The Crime Victims Fund is crucial to manycommunities and organizations that rely on it for victims' services andcompensation. The Fund helps providefunding for domestic violence shelters, victims' compensation for court costs,funeral services and medical expenses," Costa said.
PresidentBush's budget proposes removing all amounts deposited during FY 2006 andputting this money in the general fund. This means that there would be no money left in the Crime Victims Fundto distribute in FY 2007. This proposalwould severely hurt crime victims' programs. Despite the President's proposal, congressionalappropriators have consistently stated that all amounts in the Crime VictimsFund be kept there for victims and victims' services.
"Istrongly oppose the President's budget proposal that would zero out the CrimeVictims Fund," stated Costa. "The Fund providesmany crucial services to victims in the Central Valley. For example, every county probationdepartment in the 20th district receives Crime Victims Funding. In addition, Clinica Sierra Vista uses thefunding to provide health services to victims of crime and Marjorie MasonCenter uses the fundingto help victims of domestic violence," said Costa.
"Crimevictims have suffered enough. Duringthis week, it is important to remember how we can improve their lives. The Crime Victims Fund provides a greatservice to victims," Costa concluded.
CongressmanCosta is a founding member of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus.
#