DHS to Slash Funds for NY and Washington DC

[Scriptor Ignotus]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/31/AR2006053101364.html

DHS to Slash Funds for N.Y., Washington
Smaller Cities to Receive Larger Antiterror Grants

By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 31, 2006; 3:56 PM

The two cities attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, will receive far less antiterrorism money under plans unveiled today by the Department of Homeland Security, which has designated more money for many smaller cities throughout the country.

Washington and New York will receive 40 percent less in urban grant money compared to last year, with Washington dropping from $77 million to $46 million and New York falling from $207 million to $124 million, DHS officials said. The combined total means that the two areas bear almost the entire brunt of a $120 million cut in the overall budget for the program, the statistics show.

The announcement sparked another round of heated complaints from many lawmakers and local officials about the DHS grant process, which has weathered criticism from cities large and small for an allegedly haphazard and unfair distribution plan.

D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) said he was "disappointed" by the decision.

/snip

[MountainLaurel]

1. Jinx!

I posted this at almost the exact same time. You beat me by one minute. (Knew I shouldn't have stopped to talk to my boss as she left for the day.)

[Scriptor Ignotus]

16. you owe me a coke, lol ;)

[ixion]

2. gee, I wonder why that would be

can you say M.I.H.O.P.? I knew you could.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Who gets the money has nothing to do with potential threat. It is related

to which reps kiss Bush's ass the best.:puke:

[DBoon]

8. Pork! Red State Pork! Vote Republican and get free Pork!

"to the victor belongs the spoils" as corrupt 19th century pols used to say

[ClintonTyree]

48. How true........

without reading the rest of the article I'm willing to bet any amount that "Red State" cities will be the big winner in this "redistribution". It's a well known fact that Al Qaeda considers places like Montgomery, Alabama and Lincoln, Nebraska to be the backbone of American civilization. If they can attack places like Montgomery and Lincoln, the American capitalist pigs will be defeated. :sarcasm:

The DHS, like so many other agencies under the bush regime, have become nothing more than a giant cash-drawer that they repay their loyal stooges with. "You're doing a hell of a job, Brownie" proved that point. Bush turned FEMA into a giant pay back scheme for his loyal lackeys. He's now extended it to DHS along with the FDA, the Supreme Whores and various and sundry other Federal departments. There has never been, nor I doubt will there ever be, a more corrupt administration in charge of our citizens safety and security. :mad:

[Terran1212]

23. They don't care about terror too much

It's not exactly high on their list of priorties

[Metta]

4. Anyone seeing anything other than politics & malice for driving this one?

I can only wonder what their reasoning was.

[JHB]

45. Yes. Greed.

Their reasoning? GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. I guess they haven't spent enough money in Iraq yet

Otherwise we could rebuild and defend America instead.

[tanyev]

6. Whew! More money for workout machines for the Eustis, FL

Fire Department.


For example, we uncovered that $10,000 in federal grant money bought a weight machine and a treadmill.

"You have to be physically fit to do this job. And that includes terrorism or an ordinary house fire," said Chief Roy Tremain, of the Eustis Fire Department.

Under the reorganization of the Office of Homeland Security after 9/11, FEMA doles out the money.

"It looks like this is play money instead of homeland security money," WESH 2 I-Team reporter Stephen Stock said.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:y4cbCNmL6kMJ:news.yahoo.com/s/wesh/20060427/lo_wesh/3429197+homeland+security+money+weight+machines&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

[struggle4progress]

7. Homeland Security Funding: List Of Cities

(AP) The Homeland Security Department divided $740 million among 46 cities Wednesday as part of a $1.7 billion counterterrorism grant fund for 2006. While each state will get some money, the grants for cities make up the largest chunk of the funding, which has always been the subject of fierce lobbying by local leaders and members of Congress.

A state-by-state look at what the cities got this year, compared to 2005: <etc>

http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_151145936.html

[Oreo]

9. Nice to see they gave Florida and Nebraska more funding

FLORIDA. Ft. Lauderdale: $9.9 million, from zero; Jacksonville: $9.2 million, from $6.8 million; Miami: $15.9 million, from $15.8 million; Orlando: $9.4 million, from zero; Tampa: $8.8 million, from $7.7 million.

NEBRASKA. Omaha: $8.3, from $5.1 million.

[tanyev]

10. Never let it be said that Omaha, Nebraska isn't on the front lines

in the War on Terror.

[struggle4progress]

12. Looks like they saved some money this year along the Gulf coast.

[RagingInMiami]

17. Ft. Lauderdale has been crying foul for the last few years

Because Miami was getting all the funding, even though some of the terrorists had lived in Ft. Lauderdale prior to 9/11.

[Eugene]

11. Interesting distribution.

What makes Florida so special while major cities and seaports see cutbacks
almost across the board? The changes look more like spreading around the pork
than addressing threats to national security.

[struggle4progress]

13. What makes Florida special, is Jeb.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

19. this is part of the problem too

http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_151145228.html

/snip

In California, the Los Angeles/Long Beach area received the largest share of federal dollars to fund counter-terrorism initiatives this year, $80.61 million, with the Bay Area a distant second.

Bay Area counties and cities will receive a little more than $28 million, less than 10 percent of money requested. That compared to $34.2 million last year.

Renee Domingo, manager of the Oakland Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security said the city joined San Francisco and San Jose in filing an application for $333 million in homeland security grants for the greater Bay Area, which also includes 10 counties.

/snip

There was only $740 million to distribute for the entire country and these guys were asking for almost half of that. The problem may be greedy local officials mixed with stingy federal bueracrats.

[smtpgirl]

31. Because dicksuck's brother is governor of FL

I live in the WDC area, funny how NOVA (Northern VA) didn't get shit. NOVA has probably the most govt. workers in all of the US. Baltimore & DC got the funds.

No offense to people in NE, MI, AZ & CO.

Why the fuck did the WDC/Baltimore corridor only get 56 mil?

Those states must be a "hotbed" of terrist activity.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

18. Great find

my God, it looks so arbitrary. Is there any rhyme or reason with these?

[apnu]

24. Sure, red states and blue states. (nt)

[smtpgirl]

33. It is MOST definitely "red" state, "blue" state

I hope when the "blue" states are gone, the "red" has to fend for themselves

[thecrow]

22. Damn! My state's not on the list!!! nt

[MiniMe]

25. Well, the DHS money is part of what DC gets to protect the pres

Guess who won't be getting much police protection?

LOL

[demo dutch]

51. El-Qaeda must be laughing their heads off!

[antonialee839]

14. Heckuva job assholes!

[TexasLawyer]

15. Hey NYC and DC--

That's what you get for being Democrats!

[katty]

20. right! 124 Mil?!-that's Bloomberg's pocket lint!

[williesgirl]

21. The assholes are hoping we'll all move to NE to be safe! This is

all so criminal it's sickening. Any moran knows the NYC and DC are the main targets of anyone hoping to make headlines and the US feel the pain.

[marmar]

26. All their faux 9-11 platitudes were such bullshit...

Repugs HATE NYC and Washington D.C. - those cities represent everything they despise: Overwhelmingly Democratic, minority majority populations, all kinds of languages spoken, extensive public transportation, unions, rainbow flags etc etc. They're what America will eventually look like, and it scares the crap out of those on the reich.

[HockeyMom]

27. We're #2

New York gives Bush a 74% Disapproval Rating (Vermont #1). That is the ENTIRE State, not just NYC. I would guess his approval in the City must be in single digits by now.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with the cuts in funding. Wanna buy a bridge?

[Brothaman2k]

28. Hold on...

Did they cut the budget OVERALL or did they just change the percentages people get?

Now if they slashed the budget over all that's gross incompetence. However, if by giving the larger cities that have had the benefit of getting this fund for years after 9/11 to help them get up to speed, less money in favor of giving it to smaller cities that are just as vulnerable I don't see a problem. No doubt places like NYC and LA still have a ways to go to truly be up to speed (a lot of emergency centers are still not prepared in case of a biological attack with a equipment and supplies) but as much as they still need to improve you know smaller cities with less police prescence and the perception that they wouldn't be a serious target have even farther to go.

May not be popular, but seems to me giving smaller cities that I'd think terrorists would consider more viable as they'd be "softer" targets that could still make the entire country paranoid about new attacks need to get a bigger piece of the pie to get up to speed.

Now if you want to talk bad decisions talk about those shmucks on the supreme court... at least 5 outta 4 are...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

30. What terrorism?

:shrug:

It's a bogeyman. With the proper foreign policy and a few wise safeguards, you could throw the DHS in the trash where it belongs.

[JHB]

46. They did BOTH (overall cut by $117 mil, AND reshuffled the allocation)

So they're STARTING from a position of gross incompetence... which doesn't inspire much faith that the other decisions were made using any actual facts.

[secular humanoid]

29. power hungry

perhaps they are inviting another attack so they
have more excuses to grab for ever increasing power.




peace

[drhilarius]

32. As a DC resident, let me just say thank goodness...

that the nation's capitol and my home will lose money so some granary in bumble fuck or stickstown Nebraska can be safe from Al Qaeda's evil scheming. :sarcasm:

[MountainLaurel]

50. Ditto that

From Glover Park, just a few blocks from Deadeye Dick's house.

[savemefromdumbya]

34. Should have spent money here not Iraq

[lovuian]

35. Homeland Security grants rile D.C., NYC

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/31/homeland.grants/index.html
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Homeland Security Department said Wednesday that the cities of New York and Washington will get less money in this year's allocation of grants, drawing harsh criticism from politicians in both areas.

The department announced the recipients of $1.7 billion distributed through various programs to help states and cities help prepare for potential terror attacks and natural disasters.

Outrage came from members of both parties in New York, where GOP Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said "DHS and the administration have declared war on New York City."

Department officials have changed the criteria used to award money under their programs, saying that instead of looking at population, they are trying to focus more on where risks exist. They are also taking into account how well municipalities have used past grants.

The department said there is risk throughout the nation and that preparedness dollars therefore need to be spread out.

One of the more controversial programs is the department's Urban Areas Security Initiative, which is aimed at cities and for which $757 million is being distributed.

New York and Washington are getting less under that program this year. New York, for example, will receive nearly $125 million, a reduction of about $83 million.

Homeland Security officials pointed out, however, that New York is still the largest recipient in the program.

more...
This is really a joke right!!!

[Cassandra]

37. On all of these counts...

"population, they are trying to focus more on where risks exist. They are also taking into account how well municipalities have used past grants."

New York should win. I'd say the GOP hates NYC. Maybe the idiot repukes that live here will notice this, finally.

[NYC]

38. Will Wyoming receive more money again?

Read the fine print.

[spindrifter]

39. Is Wyoming an "undisclosed location"?

[NYC]

40. I think so.

Cheney claimed to be from Wyoming because he and Bush couldn't be residents of the same state, Texas.

[rainbow4321]

42. Omaha, Nebraska and Charlotte, NC $ increased??

No offense to DUer's in the above 2 cities but WTF is with the increase there when places like NYC, DC, and other such cities' funds were cut?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CITIES_TERRORISM_LIST?SITE=TXDAM&TEMPLATE=NATIONALSECURITY.html&SECTION=HOME

North Carolina: Charlotte: $8.9 million, from $5.4 million.

Nebraska: Omaha: $8.3, from $5.1 million.

NJ: Jersey City/Newark: $34.3 million, from $19 million.

Florida: Ft. Lauderdale: $9.9 million, from zero

[MadMaddie]

41. I don't know why these cities are surprised.....

I don't know why America is surprised....haven't they figured out it is not the Welfare or the safety of this country this Adminstration cares about.....it's about absolute Power to do whatever they want...I am becoming more convinced they knew about 9/11 and did nothing to stop it.....

[lovuian]

36. Homeland Security grants rile D.C., NYC

This thread has been combined with another thread.

Click here to read this message in its new location.

[NightOwwl]

43. Well, well, well...

It looks like Bloomberg's participation in the infamous "Laptop Terror Alert" of August of 2004 didn't benefit New York after all.

I still remember how pissed he looked during the news conference. He knew it was a sham, we knew it was a sham, but he played the part like a good little soldier. Didn't do you much good, did it Mayor Bloomberg? You are getting the shaft on this one, big time.

[Selteri]

44. Cuts also in Toledo

They are cutting Toledo's Funds, which is ironic because of the 4 Ohio cities that will be funded Toledo is the only one to have recently CAUGHT anyone who is planning terrorist activities.

[JHB]

47. From Newsday: Fed formulas say NYC has "No national monuments or icons"

from http://www.newsday.com:/news/local/newyork/am-terrnews0601,0,5924863.story?coll=ny-nycnews-headlines&vote23693084=1

One government official who requested anonymity provided Newsday with a page from a federal document detailing New York City's terrorism risk assessment. While it was not clear what formulas were used to generate the information, the document listed the city as having no "national monuments or icons" and just four "banking and finance" institutions. According to Crain's "2006 Book of Lists," the city is home to 10 commercial banks that generate more than $8 billion a year, the official pointed out.

"Have you ever heard of the Statue of Liberty?" blasted Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who said he saw the documents and called the cuts a deliberate political attack on the state and city. "It seems that the administration is concerned more about the safety of Georgia peanut farmers than the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building."

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn-Queens), a member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, distributed a "possible" list of the nation's landmarks vying with New York's own for terror dollars.

The list paired Knotts Camp Snoopy Amusement Park in Minnesota's Twin Cities against the Empire State Building, and the Obsolete Computer Museum in Toledo, Ohio, with Wall Street. "This is shameful," said Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.), who Wednesday held an afternoon news conference at Ground Zero, the site of the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. "The pork barrel distribution of homeland security funding remains alive and well in Washington."

[Cassandra]

53. They were obviously paid off by the Port Authority...

to say that the Statue of Liberty is in NJ.
Why are we being led by idiots who failed basic geography?
Was DC also listed as having no "national monuments or icons" ?

[Beetwasher]

49. Is It Time For Secession Yet?

:shrug:

[demo dutch]

52. Ridiculous, this isn't even a headline on the CNN website, only MSNBC

[progressivebydesign]

54. Seattle got cut, as well.. which is bullshit.

Seattle is a major port entry. I thought there was already some issues with cities out in the middle of nowhere getting lots of DHS money when no real threat really exists.. now they make it worse??