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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JohnM who wrote (9701)	9/28/2003 8:57:22 PM
From: KLP	Respond to of 793843

$29.4 Billion for Homeland Security and related to go to Bush....for this year! Seems to be off to a good start, John! Security, defense fund bills go to Bush By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press [ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 9/25/03 ] WASHINGTON -- Congress completed work Wednesday on a $29.4 billion measure to finance domestic security programs next year, sending President Bush the first spending bill to cover the new Department of Homeland Security. The House also approved a $368 billion measure covering Pentagon spending other than for the war in Iraq. The Senate was expected to follow suit today so Bush can sign the bills into law before the 2004 budget year begins Tuesday. Both measures passed with little opposition, though House Democrats said the Homeland Security bill did not go far enough to ensure the safety of cargo on passenger planes. The House and Senate also passed a $3.54 billion bill to run Congress and its related offices. Attached to that measure was $937 million in emergency spending for this budget year to help victims of natural disasters. The three bills would be the first spending bills this year to reach the president's desk. Every year, Congress must pass 13 spending bills to fund federal programs for the new fiscal year. The Homeland Security bill, passed 417-8 in the House and by voice in the Senate, is the first for the new department formed last spring from the combination of 22 security-related agencies. The funding, $1 billion above what Bush requested, includes some $4.2 billion for first responder programs, $9 billion for border protection and $5.2 billion for the Transportation Security Agency and the Federal Air Marshal Program. At the White House, Bush celebrated the passage of the bill, which he said he looked forward to signing. "To win the war on terrorism, we are staying on the offensive abroad and protecting Americans at home," he said in a statement. "These funds will help make Americans and their families even safer." Find this article at: ajc.com!-1658899440?urac=n&urvf=10647295948100.9379492707856536

To: JohnM who wrote (9701)	9/29/2003 4:35:38 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793843

First, as money from the federal government to the states has declined, states and, for that matter, local governments, have had to cut funding for a great many things, among them "first responders" to use the larger category. John, I can agree that some states have serious fiscal problems...but I would luv to see you provide sources to support that comment. Surprise! I have the opposite view. (EDIT) So does your governor..."I am pleased that federal funding is flowing to our first responders, where it can be used to help protect New Jerseyans," Governor McGreevey said." state.nj.us The states' fiscal woes are based on declining state income and sales tax revenues and increases in giveaways...not federal spending cuts. Several states like CA have been expanding giveaway programs even as their income was dropping. The federal cuts to states you mentioned are simply not true. First, the 2003 budget contained large increases in state support, then GWB proposed a supplemental of $20 Billion for the states this year and it passed. That $$$ is in addition to extra federal funds distributed for Homeland Security issues like first-responders. Congress doled out a record $4.4 Billion to the states for first responders this year. Those funds have been allocated and must be obligated by Nov 1. For example...here is a list of grants just to NYC. dhs.gov If as you inferred, the states are cutting spending for first responders it is NOT DUE to cuts in federal spending. There have been no such cuts in my state. And I don't believe there have been any in NJ either. "New Jersey budgeted $25 million in state funds for a $52 million plan to get its public health system ready to deal with bioterrorism threats such as anthrax. The rest will come from federal sources." The Port Authority of NY and NJ..."Of all public agencies, the Port Authority was among the hardest hit by the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. But Ronis says the tragedy hasn’t derailed port plans for marine- terminal redevelopment, other than causing officials to pledge an additional $40m in expenditures over the next five years to improve terminal security." " Since the mid-1990s, the federal government has made grants available to state and local agencies to provide specialized planning, training, and equipment needed for those terrorist incidents with unusual circumstances (particularly disasters involving weapons of mass destruction). So far in 2003, $3.9 billion has been allocated for such grants; the president has requested an additional $3.5 billion for 2004, approximately a tenfold increase from the pre--September 11 spending levels." uw washingtontechnology.com In fiscal 2003, including the recently signed emergency supplemental funding, nearly $34 billion is being provided, a "staggering" 22 percent increase, he said. govexec.com State Tax revenue slowing again. stateandlocalgateway.rockinst.org State Budgetary Assumptions in 2003 — States Cautiously Projecting Recovery stateandlocalgateway.rockinst.org The $20 billion federal fiscal relief proved to be critical in helping states with their budget woes. Half of this money is in the form of increased Medicaid payments, earmarked to assist the states in paying for the recent strong growth in this program’s cost. The other half is in general fiscal aid, available for any purpose the states wish. stateandlocalgateway.rockinst.org For papers on the state financial story go to this link... stateandlocalgateway.rockinst.org