WP: Most Area (D.C.) Terrorism Funding Not Spent

[kskiska]

Washington Last in U.S.; $120 Million Still Unused

Sunday, April 10, 2005; Page A01

The Washington area has not spent the majority of $145 million in anti-terrorism grants awarded by the federal government over the past three years, including funds earmarked for such critical items as hospital beds and protective gear for rescue workers.

Long after the 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, homeland security spending across the country remains bogged down by administrative problems, back orders for equipment and long timelines to implement new technology, such as communications systems.

Although the Washington area is designated as high-risk, it has not spent $120 million of the federal aid it received between 2002 and 2004, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Local authorities said that spending fell behind in 2003 and that more time was needed to coordinate plans with Maryland, Virginia and 16 suburban jurisdictions.

The area, which has a spending rate of 17 percent, ranks last compared with the 50 states, according to data released to Congress and obtained by The Washington Post and CBS's "60 Minutes," which is scheduled to air a report tonight on waste in homeland security grants. The national spending average is 44 percent.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40729-2005Apr9.html

[BattyDem]

1. Well, of course they haven't!

After all, it's only the nation's capital ... how much danger could it possibly be in?

:sarcasm:

[fortyfeetunder]

2. IIRC didn't DC have to spend some HS money on Jan 20?

Perhaps that federal grants could be used to pay the HS bill from Jan 20 (the inauguration security) - if it can be appropriated appropriately.