Attorney General Allen Wilson requests $42.6M in budget items, urges $15M for victim services

Attorney General Allen Wilson told the Constitutional Budget Subcommittee that his office is seeking $42,631,380 in new funding and authorizations, citing building repairs, rising caseloads in cyber and victim-services work, and anticipated outside legal costs.

Wilson said the package includes two one-time requests — $26 million for capital and related nonrecurring needs and $15 million to support victim-services providers — plus about $1.6 million in recurring funding to cover new full-time positions. "My goal is to go through my presentation in roughly less than 15 minutes and then allow all of you to ask questions after that," Wilson said as he reviewed a letter and spreadsheet provided to committee members.

Why it matters: Wilson said the capital request is aimed at consolidating the attorney general's office from three locations into one and addressing structural and mold remediation in the Rembert C. Dennis Building. He said the $15 million for the supplemental allocation for victim services (SAVES) would be passed through his office to dozens of local providers that have seen federal VOCA funding drop sharply.

Most important requests and context

• Capital improvements and workspace consolidation: Wilson asked for $20 million of the $26 million nonrecurring capital request for renovations in the Rembert C. Dennis Building and related needs. He said prior appropriations of $15 million will be insufficient and that updated architectural plans estimate roughly $11 million per floor. Wilson said the office would hold funds and spend only modest amounts until committees decide the…