Along with recruiting more officers, the governor seeks to boost their pay, provide them with better training and equipment, hire more prosecutors, and increase support for crime victims and witnesses.
Rep. Kevin Miller (R-Newark) was an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper for 22 years before he was appointed to the Ohio House last year, and said homeowners should be able to fly the Thin Blue Line flag.
The HELPER Act would create a new home loan assistance program for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and pre-K-12 teachers who have served for at least four years in their respective roles.
“Cutting to the bone only weakens any profession; it pushes good people out, diminishes overall quality, and fuels a race to the bottom. That’s especially true in law enforcement,” the lawmakers wrote. “To make our communities safer, build a future with less crime, and save lives, we should not defund — instead, we must invest to protect.”
The governor described the bill as “anti-law enforcement,” saying the legislation would create an “overly powerful politically-appointed police auditor.”
At a press conference Tuesday with KSP and Justice Cabinet leadership, Beshear said the "historic investments" of his budget proposal would amount to the single largest pay increase ever for state troopers.
"I don't think the gangbangers have any fear of the police," said former Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline, who now leads the Police Memorial Foundation.
“Some want to defund the police, we’re funding the police and then some,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
As a proud former police officer running for mayor with crime on the rise, Adams is often castigated for being out of step with the activist wing of a party whose vote he is seeking on June 22.
Abbott floated the idea during a campaign tele-town hall Wednesday while discussing his push to punish cities that "defund the police" during the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January.
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