The State Justice Department budget has been submitted to Governor which includes money for additional staff. Attorney General JB Van Hollen says the $1 million dollar request is for new law enforcement and analysts that will focus on online child sex predators and help immigration agents crack down on gang activity by illegal immigrants. Some of the positions are already in existence but federal funding has run out making the state pick up the tab. He cites a 7-man meth fighting unit as a casualty of the money drying up from Washington.
The AG says he's saved taxpayers money by making internal changes in the department which still need state approval.
The DOJ budget would run from 2009 to 2011.
