Simpson Secures $1 Million for Idaho Meth Project

Press Release

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that he has secured $3.3 million for four Idaho initiatives, including $1 million for the Idaho Meth Project, in the Fiscal Year 2009 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill.

"Governor and First Lady Otter brought this project to my attention last year and I was immediately sold on its importance to Idaho and its potential for keeping our state's kids off meth," said Simpson. "The sad reality is that meth continues to rob too many Idahoans of their money, their futures, and their lives. I am hoping this infusion of federal funding will help the Idaho Meth Project impact the lives of more Idahoans in a positive way and turn them away from the life-sapping scourge of methamphetamine."

"The Governor and I appreciate all the hard work Congressman Simpson is doing to help educate Idahoans about the dangers of methamphetamine," said First Lady Lori Otter. "Every single day the Meth Project is positively influencing the lives of our state's children while fighting the devastating impacts of meth. I'm pleased Congressman Simpson secured this critical funding for this extremely necessary project."

In addition to the funding for the Idaho Meth Project, the legislation includes the following Idaho funding:

- $350,000 for Boise State University's research into improved hydrologic modeling of water
resources for snow-dominated regions. Funding is provided through the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.

- $350,000 for Idaho State University's Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) Watershed
Modeling Utilizing LiDAR project. Funding is provided through the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.

- $880,000 for the Idaho State Police participation in the Criminal Information Sharing Alliance
Network. Funding is provided through the Department of Justice's COPS Grant Program.

"The Idaho initiatives included in this bill will help enhance educational opportunities in Idaho's universities, improve our utilization of natural resources, and expand the investigative tools of the Idaho State Police," said Simpson. "This funding is being targeted toward state-owned, state-run institutions with a proven record of success and wise-use of precious taxpayer dollars."

The Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill now heads to consideration by the full Appropriations Committee where approval is expected in the next two weeks.

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