IOWA BENEFITS IF BILL SIGNED

Update: Anti-Crime Money

WHAT: Several Iowa projects are included in the commerce, justice, state
and judiciary appropriations bill headed to President Bush.

WHAT'S NEW: The bill includes $1 million for efforts to fight
methamphetamine abuse in the state, $725,000 for a Big Brothers Big Sisters
mentoring program and $200,000 to place special locks on anhydrous ammonia
tanks. The fertilizer is commonly stolen to make meth. The Senate this week
approved the bill by a 98-1 vote. The House approved the measure earlier.

WHAT WAS SAID: "This will boost our fight against crime and drugs in Iowa,"
said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia. "The increased funding for the task force and
science lab will allow local law enforcement to solve crimes more quickly
and to combat the spread of methamphetamine." Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia.,
also praised the bill. "The bill promotes quality projects with national
importance like those that help fight crime in rural areas, encourage kids
to study meteorology, help women who are recovering from domestic violence
and fight illegal drug use."

OTHER PROJECTS: The bill also includes $3 million for the Midwest Forensics
Science Center at Iowa State University; $2.1 million for the Sioux City
Regional Meth Training Center; $1 million for the Iowa Forensic Laboratory;
$856,000 for the U.S. Marshal Service's Detainee Facility in Davenport; and
$350,000 for the Iowa Department of Public Health to develop a pilot
program to rehabilitate nonviolent drug offenders.

WHAT'S NEXT: The bill will become law if the president signs it.