J.B. VAN HOLLEN'S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR DOYLE'S BUDGET ADDRESS

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued the following statement in response to Governor Doyle's budget address: 

"I am very pleased that Governor Doyle joins me in recognizing the importance of funding important public safety initiatives, such as funding the law enforcement intelligence center and providing additional resources to investigate and ultimately convict online sex predators.   I am also pleased that the Governor recognizes that it is unacceptable to have a DNA evidence backlog at the Crime Lab.  I am encouraged by the Governor's commitment to work with me to eliminate the backlog.  The Department of Justice will improve efficiency without jeopardizing the Crime Lab's fundamental role in ensuring that justice is served, crimes are solved, and criminals are taken off the street.  Efficiencies alone cannot eliminate a backlog that has grown far too long, and I am pleased that the Governor recognizes the need for additional resources."

"I look forward to working with members of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Legislature to enact a budget that adequately funds these and other important public safety measures."