Letter to Loretta Lynch, Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice - Reinstate Equitable Sharing Payments
Letter
Attorney General Lynch
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20530
Dear Attorney General Lynch:
The heroin and opioid crisis is the most pressing public health and safety challenge facing New Hampshire, and as we continue working to combat this horrible epidemic, it is critical that those on the front lines have the resources they need to protect our communities.
That is why I write to you with concern over the Department of Justice's recent decision to defer equitable sharing payments under the Asset Forfeiture Program. Local and state law enforcement agencies depend on these payments as they work with federal authorities to remove illicit drugs from our streets. Without these payments, local and state law enforcement simply will not have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. Because of this, I urge you to consider all options to reinstate equitable sharing payments as quickly as possible.
I understand equitable sharing payments were frozen in response to cuts made by Congress under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016. As Governor, I strongly oppose these cuts to Asset Forfeiture Program Funds and would veto any similar efforts at the state level that would further exacerbate this issue. Just last week, the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee -- of which I am the Vice Chair -- issued our priorities for addressing the opioid crisis, which included reinstating equitable sharing under the Asset Forfeiture Program.
In order to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach at the local, state, and federal level. In order to meet the federal government's commitment to local efforts, I ask that you please consider all budgetary options in order to reinstate equitable sharing payments. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter and on additional efforts to respond to this crisis.
With every good wish,
Margaret Wood Hassan
Governor
Source