Feds cut anti-terror funding for California's biggest ports

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will get $12 million this year, half of what they got in 2005.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal funding to protect California's biggest ports from terrorist attacks is decreasing dramatically this year, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday.

The twin-port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach will get about $12 million in 2006, compared to about $24 million in 2005, though it's not clear yet how that will be divided between them.

Meanwhile, the port of Oakland is getting no grant money. The nation's fourth largest harbor and California's second largest, Oakland got about $2.9 million in 2005 and requested about $6 million for 2006.

Some state and federal officials were dismayed by the allocations, noting that California ports handle 47 percent of the country's imported goods but only received 8 percent of port security grant funding,

http://www.djc.com/news/co/11182480.html?cgi=yes

[wakeme2008]

1. Port of Tampa got ZERO

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB7P565LSE.html

By ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune

Published: Sep 27, 2006


TAMPA - When the Department of Homeland Security handed out $168 million in port security grants, the Port of Tampa was not on the list of recipients.

Port spokesman Andrew Fobes said federal officials didn't give a reason for denying the facility's application for a grant, which would have gone toward security enhancements, including fiber optics and underwater detection and surveillance instruments.

..more at link..

[Semi_subversive]

2. Hey Ahnold!!

Here's the plan. You express your outrage over the cuts and then we'll reinstate the funding to make you look like you actually give a shit about California. That'll get you some more votes!

Love,
KKKarl

[Ezlivin]

3. They don't need to protect ports that they are going to close

"Mexico plans a multibillion-dollar project to remake Punta Colonet, a desolate, sparsely inhabited inlet two hours beyond Ensenada, into a major container port on the scale of those at Los Angeles and Long Beach."

This port will not hire unionized workers of any kind. And they won't subject the cargo to the security checks required north of the border.

The next step is to build the so-called NAFTA Superhighway so that non-union Mexican truckers can deliver the goods to the US.

Nice, huh?