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Department of Justice (DoJ)-Crime Talking Points
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Department of Justice (DoJ)-Crime Talking Points
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Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Clinton Administration)
Jennifer O'Connor's Subject Files
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03/09/95
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Office of the Attarney General
ate OUNINA
Washington, B. (II 20530
file dime tallas
tallespoints points
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
DATE:
3-9-95
TO:
Jennifer 456-6704 O Connor
FACSIMILE NO.
TELEPHONE NO.
FROM:
Liz Hyman
FACSIMILE NO.
514-1724
TELEPHONE NO.
514-2107
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:
3
COMMENTS:
03/09/95
18:56
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5
002/003
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO FIGHTING AND
PREVENTING CRIME IN RURAL AMERICA
March 9, 1995
"Rural America is losing its innocence to a
slow but steady rise in violent crime."
USA TODAY, March 9, 1995
The Clinton Administration has demonstrated its commitment to fighting and preventing violent
crime in rural America by providing:
More Police Officers.
--
The President's Crime Bill requires that one-half of all police hiring grants go to
jurisdictions with a population under 150,000. This requirement ensures that
rural America will receive its fair share of officers.
Under the COPS FAST program, the Justice Department awarded grants to over
6,500 jurisdictions with populations under 50,000. These grants will put over
7,100 new community police officers in small towns and rural areas all over
America.
More Crime Fighting Programs.
--
Overall, the President's Crime Bill authorizes $240 million for rural anti-crime
and drug enforcement efforts.
--
Criminal History Record Automation. In addition, the $200 million National
Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) assists states in automating
their criminal history records. Under this program, the Department of Justice has
designated five "priority" states -- all with large rural populations -- to receive
supplemental awards of up to $1 million to begin immediate automation.
Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. The Justice Department is currently
drafting regulations for the Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Enforcement Program, a cooperative effort between law enforcement officers,
prosecutors, and victim's advocacy groups to improve prosecution of domestic
violence and child abuse cases in rural areas.
More Crime Prevention Programs.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA provides substantial federal
resources -- $1.6 billion for police, prosecution, prevention, and victim service
initiatives in cases involving sexual violence or domestic abuse. The often
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overlooked needs of rural jurisdiction are given special consideration under
VAWA.
--
Formula Grants. Each state will receive funding for prevention programs under
the Byrne grant program. For rural states, formula funds can be used to fund a
number of initiatives, including multi-jurisdictional task forces.
--
Discretionary Grants. Many rural jurisdictions have benefitted from Department
of Justice discretionary grant programs, particularly those designed to provide
training in community policing.
--
Safe Futures Program. The Department of Justice has set aside $7 million for the
Safe Futures Program, which assists communities to prevent delinquency, enhance
public safety, and provide a continuum of care for at risk youth. The program
proposes funding for five communities, at least one of which must be rural.
Rural States Crime Prevention Association Initiative. This program was funded
in fiscal year 1994 to promote the development of community policing and crime
prevention programs in rural states.
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C Office of the Attarney General
file crime
FAMILY
Washington. B. C. 20530
tabes
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
DATE:
3-17-95
TO:
Jennifer 456-6704 O Connor
FACSIMILE NO.
TELEPHONE NO.
FROM:
Liz Hyman
FACSIMILE NO.
514-1724
TELEPHONE NO.
514-2107
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:
2
COMMENTS:
Disregard previous for
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HOUSE PROPOSES TO "BUST" THE VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL TRUST
UND AND BREAK THE TRUST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AMERICA
March 17, 1995
Breaking a Promise to the American People. Yesterday, as part of a call to cut
discretionary spending by $100 billion, the House Budget Committee proposed to
slash the 1994 Violent Crime Control Trust Fund by $5 billion. Such a cut would
represent fully one-sixth of the total Congress promised to police and the American
people in last year's Crime Bill.
Proposals to scale back our fight against violent crime shouldn't even be on
the table. These cuts could mean fewer cells to house violent criminals and
fewer police on America's streets to fight them. If we make promises, we
ought to keep them.
-- Attorney General Janet Reno
The 1994 Crime Act: Promised by Congress and Paid For by Reducing the
Size of Government. The 1994 Violent Crime Control Act is a comprehensive
strategy combining police, punishment, prisons, and prevention. To finance this
fight against crime in America, a Trust Fund was created that would take the
money saved by cutting the size of the federal government and put it into proven
and effective crime fighting programs.
"The trust fund should not be touched."
-- Hubie Williams
President, The Police Foundation
Turning a Cold Shoulder to Law Enforcement
Retreating From the Fight
Against Crime. Law Enforcement relied on the promise made to them by
Congress when last year it passed with bi-partisan support a tough, balanced, smart
Crime Bill. Now the House proposes to break that promise.
"Police are outraged."
-- Chris Sullivan
International Brotherhood of Police Officers
"If we cut back now, I think it's going to send a clear message to the
people on the streets and the sheriffs of America that we are really not
serious at all about crime in Washington, D.C."
-- Bud Meeks
Executive Director, the National Sheriffs Association
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trime
Office of the Attarney General
taken
D
Washington. D. C. 20530
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
DATE:
3-16- 95
TO:
Jennifer 456-6704 O Connor
FACSIMILE NO.
TELEPHONE NO.
FROM:
Liz Hyman
FACSIMILE NO.
514-1724
TELEPHONE NO.
514-2107
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:
2
COMMENTS:
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A.G. VISITS "SAFE SCHOOLS" PROGRAM AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WHILE CONGRESS NEARS VOTE TO RESCIND FUNDING
MARCH 16, 1995
Today, Attorney General Reno joined Secretaries Shalala and Reilly in visiting the
Highland Elementary School in Wheaton, MD, to affirm her support for the Safe Schools
Initiative. She met with young students who are participating in innovative educational
and mediation programs that teach kids to address conflict without resorting to violence
and to turn away from drugs and substance abuse. This type of program is threatened by
the proposed rescissions that are scheduled for a vote today in the House of
Representatives.
The Safe Schools Initiative helps kids. The Safe Schools Initiative provides grant
funds to high crime school districts aimed at preventing crime and helping our
children cope with the realities of crime. By dealing with school crime, violence,
substance abuse and discipline problems, we can enhance school safety and
promote improved access to learning.
Stopping Dropouts Now Stops Crime Later. If we do not offer the help to allow
kids to address conflict without resorting to violence or escaping through drugs, we
will send a terrible message to them. 82% of all the people in America's prisons
are high school dropouts. We need to make our schools a place of creativity and
learning so that kids want to come to school and lead productive, healthy lives.
Safe Schools in Tandem with Critical 1994 Crime Act Programs Fight Crime.
Building on good programs such as the "Safe Schools Initiative," the 1994 Crime
Act, passed with bipartisan support, provided for proven and effective crime
fighting programs such as Drug Courts and Community Schools. Breaking the
cycle of crime and violence that is brought on by drug addiction and providing safe
havens for children so they don't end up in peril on street corners, alley ways and
with gangs that is effective crime fighting.
Funds Should Not be Rescinded for Safe Schools, Community Schools and
Drug Courts. Today, the House will vote on a rescission bill that cuts millions
from these essential crime fighting programs. These programs were enacted with
bipartisan support. Judges, prosecutors, police, and educators have said these
programs work and they are expecting funds this year.
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fill
crime talkers
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HONORS D.C. DRUG COURT
WHILE THE HOUSE DEBATES RESCINDING DRUG COURT FUNDING
MARCH 15, 1995
Today, Attorney General Reno addresses recent graduates of the Washington, D.C. drug court
program, reiterating her long-standing support of drug court programs designed to break the link
between substance abuse and criminal activity. At the same time, the House of Representatives
is considering a rescission bill that would eliminate $28 million in federal drug court funding
contained in last year's crime bill. Without this funding, cities across the country will be unable
to operate effective drug courts.
Drug Courts Make Common Sense. Over half of those who enter the criminal justice
have substance abuse problems. Drug courts employ the coercive power of the courts
to ensure that non-violent offenders receive the intensive supervision and drug treatment
necessary to kick their drug habits. Getting off drugs is essential to preventing these
offenders from returning to prison as soon as they are released.
Drug Courts Are Tough. Drug courts are not a soft-on-crime alternative to
incarceration. They are comprehensive programs that require offenders to adhere to
strict rules and requirements. Offenders must undergo mandatory, periodic drug testing,
mandatory substance abuse treatment, and are subject to graduated sanctions for failing
to show satisfactory progress in their treatment regimens. Plus, only non-violent
offenders are eligible to participate.
Drug Courts Work. A National Institute of Justice-sponsored study demonstrated that
participants in the Dade County, Florida drug court program were substantially less
likely to be re-arrested than those defendants who did not participate. Preliminary
studies of the Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, and Chicago drug court programs
have also shown lower rates of recidivism.
Drug Courts Can Be Tailored to Local Needs. No single drug court model can
effectively break the cycle of substance abuse and crime in every community.
Accordingly, the drug court provisions in the crime bill allow local jurisdictions to tailor
programs to local needs, yet ensure that certain essential features are included.
Drug Courts Are Popular. Prosecutors, judges, public defenders, law enforcement
officials, and treatment specialists from across the country support the concept and
implementation of drug courts. It's an idea whose time has come.
03/14/95
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file
crime
talkey
HOUSE APPROPRIATORS TARGETED CRIME FIGHTING
PROGRAMS THAT HIT KIDS AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT
March 14, 1995
House takes up rescission bill. This week the House will consider a rescission bill
that cuts millions from essential crime fighting and crime prevention efforts.
Millions eliminated for Drug Courts. The rescission bill terminates $28 million in
funding for Drug Courts. This will only allow offenders with drug problems to
keep spinning through the criminal justice system's revolving door. Drug Courts
are proven effective ant-crime and anti-drug tools.
Turning kids away from safe havens and onto the streets. The bill would rescind
$27 million dollars in funding for the Community Schools Initiative -- which seeks to
keep schools open for young people to provide them with a safe and constructive
alternative to street corners, alley ways and gang turf.
Don't Go Back. These programs were enacted by Congress as part of the Violent
Crime Control Act of 1994. The Departments of Justice and Health and Human
Services have been working together to implement these programs. Grant
applications are ready. Thousands of courts, prosecutors and schools all across the
country are expecting these crime-fighting funds this year.
03/10/95 18:53
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Office of the Attorney General
Washington. B. C. 20530
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
DATE:
3-10-95
TO:
Jennifer 456-6704 O Connor
FACSIMILE NO.
TELEPHONE NO.
FROM:
Liz Hyman
FACSIMILE NO.
514-1724
TELEPHONE NO.
514-2107
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:
3
COMMENTS:
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file
STANDING FIRM:
Evime talkers
ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS
March 10, 1995
Ready to fight for prevention programs. In a meeting today with representatives from
groups concerned about crime prevention, Attorney General Janet Reno affirmed
Administration support for prevention-related programs in the 1994 Crime Control Act.
"We are committed to preserving these programs, and we are determined
to move forward with implementation of the 1994 Crime Act."
Among those who attended the meeting were representatives from crime prevention
groups, victims' rights organizations, youth service providers, education and parent-
teacher associations, and state and local governmental organizations.
Administration action has already saved two prevention programs from extinction.
In recent weeks both the President's Prevention Council and the National Domestic
Violence Hotline were rescinded by a House subcommittee. Thanks to swift and
coordinated action, both programs were reinstated in full committee.
The fight to revive other prevention-related programs continues.
Other House Appropriations rescissions must still be blocked. The funding cut for the
Domestic Violence Hotline was part of a larger House rescission bill. House
appropriators also voted to eliminate:
$27 million dollars in funding for the Community Schools Initiative, which
provides safe haven for young people in crime-ridden neighborhoods; and
$28 million in funding for Drug Courts, which use the coercive power of the
courts to force offenders into substance abuse treatment.
The Attorney General, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of HHS have
protested these cuts in a joint letter to the Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee.
The Administration will continue to voice strong objections to proposed rescissions and
the outright repeal of various prevention-related programs authorized by the 1994 Crime
03/10/95 18:54
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5
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Act. The Attorney General told the group:
"We are already on record with the Congress as strongly opposing
the proposed repeal of the Drug Courts initiative and the wholesale
elimination of proven prevention programs - such as afterschool
programs -- which are supported by police, prosecutors, educators,
and parents because they work."
ED 13:26
THE FOOD GROUP, LTD
FAX NO. 6172367586
P.02
F
The
Asked skivermen
to Treasury have
January 11, 1995
answer
GROUP
The Food Group, Ltd.
Mr. Harold Ickes
85 NEWBURY STREET
Deputy Chief of Staff
BOSTON, MA 02116
The White House
VIA FAX: 202-456-1121
Telephone (617) 542-9001
Dear Harold:
Facsimile (617) 236-7586
I sincerely enjoyed meeting you at Alan Levanthal's gathering at the Boston Harbor Hotel in
December. I was more than delightfully surprised when John Sutton called on your behalf to
follow up on our brief conversation. When government becomes personal, things...good things
can happen.
The subject I was discussing was the 45(B) income tax credit. I have explained the issue in
detail below.
ISSUE
A major dispute has arisen over the way the Internal Revenue Service is trying to interpret a new
income-tax credit for restauranteurs who pay FICA taxes on employee tips.
BACKGROUND
As part of the 1987 Budget Reconciliation Act, Congress enacted a provision requiring employers
to pay employer FICA taxes on all employee tips. Until this point, employers paid FICA taxes
only on the portion of tips considered "wages" under federal labor laws.
The 1988 change was widely acknowledged to have been budget-driven, included in the tax bill
not for tax-policy reasons (the issue of how to tax employers on employee tips had been
thoroughly discussed and resolved by Congress years earlier) but to help Congress meet Gramm-
Rudman deficit-reduction targets. The National Restaurant Association vigorously opposed the
new tax, which meant tens of thousands of dollars in higher taxes every year for restaurant
operators.
The National Restaurant Association immediately began urging Congress to repeal the law.
Within two years, a majority of Congress - a majority that included both Democrats and
Republicans-were co-sponsors of bills to repeal the tax increase.
In 1993, Congress finally provided the restaurant industry with relief. While this did not come
in the form of outright repeal - tax committees were reluctant to report legislation that would
impact the Social Security Trust Fund - it came in the form of a federal income tax credit that
permitted restauranteurs to reduce their federal tax liability by the amount of FICA taxes they
had paid on tips above the federal minimum wage.
11:46
202 456 6797
CHIEF OF STAFF
003
D 13:27
THE FOOD GROUP. LTD
FAX NO. 6172367586
P. 03
-2-
This income tax credit has become known as the 45(B) credit, named after the section of the
Internal Revenue Code that contains it.
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS OF THE 1988 LAW
Meanwhile, the 1988 law was affecting restauranteurs in unexpected ways. Not only were
restauranteurs paying thousands of dollars in higher FICA taxes each year: Starting in 1991, the
IRS began using the 1988 FICA-tax-on-tips law as a "club" against restauranteurs.
In IRS districts all over the country, the IRS - citing the 1988 law as its authority - began going
to employers with bills for FICA taxes on tips the IRS claims employees earned but never
reported. In the vast majority of these cases, the IRS never contacted the employees who failed
to report these tips, never collected the employee half of the FICA tax, and never credited the
payments to employees' wage history accounts for Social Security purposes.
Capitalizing on operators' vulnerability, the IRS began using FICA audit threats as leverage to
get employers directly involved in getting higher tip reports from employers. Over the last year
and a half, for example, the IRS has used audit threats to pressure employers to sign agreements
under which operators are responsible for making sure at least 75% of their employees report tips
at or above certain rates.
THE IRS'S INTERPRETATION
The National Restaurant Association and many members of Congress are taking issue with the
way the IRS is trying to interpret the 45(B) credit.
In temporary regulations published in the Federal Register in December 1993, the IRS said
restauranteurs can take the 45(B) credit only for the FICA taxes they pay on reported tips. In
other words, the IRS is trying to deny the credit to restauranteurs who are forced by the IRS to
pay FICA taxes on tips the IRS says employees should have reported in the past but didn't
This interpretation directly contradicts the statutory language passed by Congress in the 1993
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which authorized the 45(B) credit for all "taxes paid" after
the law's effective date. There is nothing in the statute itself or any evidence of Congressional
intent which supports the IRS's interpretation.
Last year, nearly 100 members of Congress wrote to the Treasury Secretary citing their concerns
about what the IRS was doing. "Congressional intent is clearly embodied in the statutory
language which provides the credit for FICA taxes paid after December 31, 1993," the letter-
writers said. "We strongly urge you to direct the IRS to issue new regulations that would not
alter the meaning embodied in the statutory language in any way."
11:47
202 456 6797
CHIEF OF STAFF
004
FAX NO. 6172367586
P. 04
ED 13:28
THE FOOD GROUP, LTD
-3-
Despite its blatant disregard of the statute, the IRS has shown no signs of backing away from its
interpretation. The National Restaurant Association continues to urge the IRS to withdraw the
regulations and let the law speak for itself.
On behalf of my colleagues across the country, I would greatly appreciate the White House's
assistance in mitigating this issue.
Warmest regards,
stephen
Stephen E. Elmont
Chairman
11:47
202 456 6797
CHIEF OF STAFF
005
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 30, 1994
MEMORANDUM FOR ANN CASTAGNETTI Joh
FROM;
HAROLD ICKES
H&
SUBJECT:
Stephen E. Elmont, Chairman, The Food Group, Ltd.
Ann, when I was in Boston on 14 December, I met Stephen Elmont,
the Chair of the Food Group, Ltd. (617-859-4848), who told me
that he was concerned about regulations that the Treasury
Department is considering imposing on restaurants regarding
taxing of tips.
He was a little vague on the details. Could you call him to see
if he could put something in a one or two page memo so that we
can is. try to track it down and at least find out what the status
THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON
THE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
March 9, 1995
Mr. Stephen E. Elmont, Chairman
The Food Group
85 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Dear Mr. Elmont:
Thank you for your letter to Deputy Chief of Staff Ickes regarding the tax credit provided under
section 45B of the Internal Revenue Code. We appreciate your concern and input, and Mr.
Ickes has asked that I provide a fuller explanation of our position regarding this provision.
As you know, section 45B provides rules for determining the social security credit allowable
under Code section 38 for food and beverage establishments. The credit is equal to the
taxpayer's Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) obligation attributable to employee tips
in excess of those treated as wages for purposes of satisfying the minimum wage provisions of
the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The temporary regulation clarifies that the credit is available only for FICA taxes paid after
December 31, 1993, with respect to tips received for services performed after December 31,
1993. The regulation also clarifies that the credit applies only to FICA taxes paid on tips
reported to the employer by its employees. This provision is clearly supported by the
Conference Committee Report to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which states
that the credit is applicable to the employer's FICA tax obligation "attributable to reported tips"
(emphasis added).
Consistent with this Congressional intent, the temporary regulation prevents an employer from
claiming the credit for FICA taxes paid pursuant to a section 3121(q) notice and demand
following a tips examination by the IRS. We believe that the regulation provides a fair and
logical result and provides employers with an appropriate incentive for encouraging employees
to report their tips. However, I would like to assure you that Treasury and the IRS will be
considering your comments and those of other interested taxpayers. Before finalizing a
regulation, it is always our policy to reexamine the relevant statutory provisions and legislative
history, and to consider all comments received on the issues.
Thank you again for writing.
Sincerely,
Lislu Scimmels
Leslie B. Samuels
Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy)
cc: Harold Ickes
03/09/95
18:50
OFC OF THE SOC
001
21 OF
Depar ment of Energy
Wa ington, DC 20585
file
ORING CPAMERICA
STATES
OFFIC : OF THE SECRETARY
Harold
Yucca
done
FAC SIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
FROM:
TO:
Jennifer O'Conno
Dan Reicher
DATE:
OFFICE
White House Cabinet
fairs ( C.
3/9/95
FAX NUMBER: 45 6-65 04
FAX NUMBER: 202/586-7644
OFFICE NUMBER: 4 6-2 21
OFFICE NUMBER: 202/586-6210
Jennifer
The I st draft I received of the attached was not
COMMENTS:
responsi C so II d to send it back. Let me know if this draft
fills th bill.
Regards,
Dan Reicher
NUMBER OF PAGES # CLUDIN ; COVER)
7
IF TRANSMITTAL IS Il COMPLI E, PLEASE PHONE THE ABOVE NUMBER.
03/09/95
18:52
OFC OF THE SOC
005
OFFICE OF CIV JAN R/ DIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
U i. DEPA TMENT OF ENERGY
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 982 AND ITS AMENDMENTS
Directed the Department (
Energy
develop a system to permanently dispose of the
Nation's nuclear waste
Required utilities to pay f
disposal
n advance through a fee.
Directed characterization
one can
date site for geologic disposal, Yucca Mountain,
Nevada.
The Federal government
IS
assum
I to begin operating a repository by 1/31/98; and
would accept waste when
e reposi
ry was available.
CURRENT SITUATION
Under the current schedul -
if
the
Y
cca Mountain site is deemed suitable, a geologic
disposal facility will be li
nsed to :
ceive waste beginning 2010.
Utilities have paid over $
billion
il
fees but use for waste management has been subject
to Federal budget caps.
The Federal obligation an
how to
eet it are being debated.
Secretary Leary testine
before S
nate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
on 3/2/98 regarding the Is
islative
oposala being considered to supplement or amend
the Nuclear Waste Policy
ACE.
She
tated that the Administration has no official position
on any le gislation current
presente
She stated the Program's need for mandatory,
deficit-ne utral funding; th
authority
to provide for centralized interim storage; to
continue to pursue geolog
1.00
disposa
and to formulate a contingency plan if Yucca
Mountain is not suitable.
The legislative proposals und Congre ional review are:
Johnston (S. 167):
redirect
nuclear
aste policy to focus on an developing an interim
storage
acility at
Zucca Mountain, Nevada; permanent geologic
disposa efforts И uld continue at a lower priority.
Upton and
similar
)
S.167;
dditional provisions supporting a more aggressive
Towns (H.R. 1020)
program
for Dep
tmental acceptance of commercial spent fuel in 1998,
includi
I
penalty
ayments for failing to do so.
Bryan (S. 429)
provide
for acce
ing waste when repository or storage facility
become
available
provides credits against waste fees for utility storage
costs C ised by ( lays.
Vucanovich
prohibi
characte izing Yucca Mountain for FY 96 - FY 98; National
(H.R. 496)
Acader
Y of Scie ces to recommend scientific approach to repository
siting: ther was acceptance and storage provisions similar to S. 429.
03/09/95
18 53
OFC OF THE SOC.
006
Grams (S. 443)
provides
waste
ceptance beginning 1/31/98 regardless of facility
availabili
:
the De
artment can site and operate a facility independent
of reposit
ry
sched
et but not in Nevada.
Wellstone (S. 473)
prohibits
onstructi
1 of nuclear power reactors until a facility, capable
of accon
nodating
1 high-level waste generated in the foreseeable
future, is
icensed
provide for permanent disposal; prohibits the
productic
1 of high
:vel waste from civilian power reactors that
exceeds
e
capacit
and capability of the permanent disposal facility.
BACKGROUND
Waste Accumulations - High-1
vel radio
tive waste in the form of spent fuel assemblies
from commercial nuclear pow
reactors
las been accumulating at nuclear reactor sites in the
U.S. for several decades. The
buildup
spent nuclear fuel from reactors in operation will
continue to grow over the nex
several C
cades. There are 109 operating and 9 shut-down
reactors at 73 sites in 34 State
that pre:
atly store spent fuel on-site. By the year 2033, all
of these plants will have comj
eted their
nitial license periods. The total cumulative
discharge fre n those 118 reac
ITS will [
al about 85,000 metric tons of initial heavy metal
contained in be spent nuclear
uel.
Oth
r material that should eventually be disposed of in
repository in Jude defense-rel
ed high-]
vel radioactive waste, DOE-owned spent nuclear
fuel, naval reactor fuel, and [
S. OR ne
fuel from foreign research reactors. Seven facilities
have already exhausted conve
ional po
storage space at their nuclear power plants and are
providing supplemental dry St
rage,
By
the year 2010, 55 facilities are projected to need
supplemental storage. Witho
interim
orage or long-term disposal facilities, at-reactor
storage, exte ided for many d
ades, CO,
d become this Nation's waste management strategy
by default.
International Implications - tt
strategy
f geologic disposal supports nonproliferation of
weapons-usa ole material via 1
processir
:
and it has emerged as the international consensus
for the isolation of highly rad
bactive и
ste. Our ability to influence the commercial trade in
plutonium by the internationa
commun
y would be diminished if we appeared to have no
credible long-term strategy "
manage (
T own fuel cycle.
Program Status - The Progra
is
90
cent on target with respect to its schedules, and is
operating within its budget.
lew lead
ship has made progress by developing a "new
approach" accelerating work
t Yucca
ountain to determine if the site is suitable, working
with utilities for waste accep
nce alter
tives, streamlining program management, and
consolidating contractor oper
nons.
Yucca Mountain - surfac
based ex
oration started in 1991; and, in 1994, work began on
excavating the Explorate
Studies
acility, which will consist of a series of underground
tunnels and alcoves for is
restigatin
the geologic and hydrologic conditions of the site.
A Tunnel Boring machin
is excav
ing this "underground laboratory," and is currently
613 feet into the mounta
03/09/95
18:53
OFC OF THE SOC
1
007
Waste Acceptance, Storage and Trar portation - To confront the issue of waste
acceptance, the Department
is develo
ng the multi-purpose canister to standardize
hardware for at-reactor or
f-site stc
age, to provide a transportation fleet, and to serve
as part of the waste dispost
package
The Department is also working with states on
institutional requirements f
route
St
ection. scheduling, and emergency preparedness to
facilitate orderly transporta
on
of
the
sands of tons of spent fuel from reactors across the
country to a centralized fac ity.
Litigation - Legal action W
S taken b
some of the states, public utility commissions, and
nuclear utilities against the
Departme
1 of Energy to force a decision on whether DOE
has a legal obligation to ac ept spent luclear fuel in 1998.
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filene
Office of the Attarney General
taekers
SEAL
Washington. B. (I 20530
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
DATE:
3-2 95
TO:
Jennifer 456-6704 O Connor
FACSIMILE NO.
TELEPHONE NO.
FROM:
Liz Hyman
FACSIMILE NO.
514-1724
TELEPHONE NO.
514-2107
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET:
2
COMMENTS:
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002/002
Full House Appropriations Committee
THINK BEFORE YOU CUT
FROM CHILDREN AND CRIME FIGHTING
March 2, 1995
Today, the full House Appropriations Committee will choose between the
interests of law abiding citizens and some of the most vulnerable of our society -- and
giving relief to the wealthy. The full House Appropriations Committee meets today to take
a final vote on rescissions from funds already promised under 1995 budgets. Thus far,
rescissions in House Appropriations Subcommittees have targeted the most vulnerable of our
society and much of those monies will likely be used to fund a capital gains tax cut proposal
that will aid the wealthy.
HOUSE APPROPRIATORS HAVE TARGETED VALUABLE CRIME FIGHTING
PROGRAMS THAT HIT KIDS, BATTERED WOMEN AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT:
Hanging-up on the Domestic Violence Hotline. A bi-partisan majority of Congress
voted last year to create the Hotline -- a simple but necessary tool to reduce violence
against women in this country. Last week the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) voted to rescind $1 million in funding
for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The Subcommittee's actions sends the
message that, once again, women victims must suffer in silence.
Turning kids away from safe havens and onto the streets. The funding cut for the
Hotline came as part of a larger rescission bill, which among other rescissions,
terminated $27 million dollars in funding for the Community Schools Initiative --
which seeks to keep schools open for young people to provide them with a safe and
constructive alternative to street corners, alley ways and gang turf.
Millions eliminated for Drug Courts. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on
Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary voted to terminate $28 million in funding
for Drug Courts. This will only allow offenders with drug problems to keep
spinning through the criminal justice system's revolving door. Last year Congress
made the commitment to this program, which seeks to coerce abstinence. Without
Drug Courts, substance abuse offenders will continue to prey repeatedly upon
communities as they traipse through a criminal justice system that fails to affect the
addictions that drive their damaging behavior.
Punishing vulnerable children by telling them to "fend for themselves." Last
year, a bi-partisan majority of Congress voted to create the Ounce of Prevention
Grants and extended a helping hand to children growing-up in difficult environments.
The House Appropriators' actions in eliminating $1.5 million in funds for this
valuable program tells these children to "fend for themselves."
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GRASSROOTS OPPOSITION TO GOP CRIME BILLS CONTINUES
crime
March 7, 1995
Recent actions by national organizations reflect their
constituents' opposition to the GOP's approach to fighting crime:
The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)
reaffirms it support for the President's efforts to put
100,000 new police officers on America's streets. In a
meeting today with Attorney General Reno, the leadership of
NAPO--which represents rank-and-file police officers--
reaffirmed its support for the President's police hiring
program and its opposition to law enforcement block grants.
According to Robert T. Scully, NAPO's Executive Director,
"NAPO members fought hard for this and we think it is
ludicrous to dismantle this important program after 10,000
police officers have been funded."
The National Association of Counties (NACo) opposes GOP cuts
to prevention programs. The Board of Directors of NACo
yesterday adopted a resolution calling on the President to
veto any new crime measure that does not maintain a balanced
approach to funding for crime prevention. NACo opposes the
House of Representative's attempt to increase prison
construction expenditures at the expense of crime
prevention.
NACo also opposes GOP efforts to impose additional burdens
on states seeking to qualify for prison construction
funding. In another resolution, NACo directors opposed the
House crime bill's requirement that all violent offenders
serve 85 percent of their sentences. NACo also opposes the
elimination of the current comprehensive planning process
which assures that states undertake an integrated approach
to management and operation of correctional facilities and
programs.
These actions clearly reflect grassroots opposition to the
crime package passed recently by the House of
Representatives. Average Americans do not want to turn back
in the fight against violent crime.