ATLANTA (June 16, 2010) – State Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) joined the fight this week to save the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s regional crime laboratories in Moultrie and Columbus. The General Assembly provided necessary appropriations for the labs in the FY 2011 budget, but the governor vetoed the funding when he signed the final appropriations bill.
“Closing these labs would adversely affect thousands of people throughout Georgia, from law enforcement officers and the court system to crime victims and their families,” said Butterworth. “These crime labs provide crucial services to law enforcement officials trying to quickly and efficiently solve crimes, ensuring justice is served and Georgians are safe.”
General Assembly leadership sent a letter to the governor stating their resolve to see the funding restored to these crime labs. The letter detailed reasons the labs should remain open, including the undue burden it would place on other labs throughout the state.
Crime labs are run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Laboratory scientists and technicians in specialized disciplines collect, analyze, and interpret all aspects of physical evidence for officers, investigators, and District Attorneys throughout the state. The analysts employ the most recent scientific technologies. Statewide availability of laboratory services are made possible through the headquarters laboratory in Decatur and regional laboratories in Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Moultrie, Savannah, and Cleveland.
Sen. Jim Butterworth serves as chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, and Hart counties along with a portion of White County. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at jim.butterworth@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 16, 2010
For Information Contact:
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028