McCollum Secures $25 Million for Presidential Nominating Conventions in St. Paul and Denver with 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill
Press Release
McCollum Secures $25 Million for Presidential Nominating Conventions in St. Paul and Denver with 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) successfully secured $25 million for security at the 2008 Republican and Democratic Presidential Nominating Conventions in the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill, approved today by the House Appropriations Committee. Half of these funds$12.5 millionwill go to the St. Paul Police Department to ensure safety at the Republican event next fall.
During the committee's markup of the bill, McCollum spoke on the need for additional security funding. "We must ensure that the Democratic and Republican conventions are safe, secure and successful. $100 million in federal security funding was provided to Boston and New York in 2004 - St. Paul and Denver require the same level of support in 2008."
St. Paul's public safety infrastructure will receive other important boosts in the bill. $500,000 is allocated to match state and local funding for the St. Paul Police Department's procurement of 800 MHz radio equipment, which will be provided for all Police and Fire response units. This vital equipment allows all first responders to communicate across the same frequency during a major emergency.
$250,000 will help fund installation of camera and audio systems in St. Paul Police patrol cars. These recording systems provide evidence in cases of reckless- and drunken driving arrests, help police identify suspects, and reduce allegations of police misconduct.
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