MEMO Top.-.4410,41ohmmnrnr- RE: im Cicconi DATE: Dec. 13, 1978 Funding for Attorney General's Organized Crime "Strike Force" 1. Funding for Organized Crime Strike Force is: FY 1978 - $380,334 FY 1979 - $391,179 $771,513 Total for the Current Biennium 2. All of the above is federal funding approved by the Criminal Justice Division and by Governor Briscoe. VS. The Criminal Justice Division and Gov. Briscoe sent the following approved grant to the Legislative Bu get Board for the Organize rime unit for the coming biennium: proposed for FY 1980 - $443,982 proposed for FY 1981 - $462,883 $906,865 proposed total for 80/81 Biennium It was the above total, all federal funds, which the LBB cut last week. 4. Federal grants going to state agencies only are sent to the LBB for review per a rider in the appropriations act requiring it. 5. However, there is a federal opinion which states that a state legislature cannot prevent federal grants from going to the approved grantee, in this case the Organized Crime Strike Force. Only the Governor can stop a grant such as this. He can approve or disapprove a grant regardless of the LBB's action. He goes along with LBB votes only on a "gentlemen's agreement" basis. 6. This is important because the LBB has informed me that Mark White intends to ask that the LBB restore funds to a restructured and more restricted Organized Crime unit. He's reportedly working out a new plan in consultation with Col. Speir at DPS. 11 . Suggest that Attorney General White be discreetly informed that the final decision on the Organized Crime grant still rests with the Governor, and that he will have to _ approve any grant for a more restricted Organized Crime unit. In effect, unless you approve White's idea for the unit, you can cut off its grant even if the LBB restores it. 1 8. Myself or someone else can contact White to obtain any information or convey any instructions you may have on this subject. CC: George Steffes David Howell ?trL UiCxx tA44A A•••=i- 1A4:0 ;410....,a 1A0.. A(441 IN. S444.). IV r7[I "It? 1.16 eft