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More than $2 billion in federal funds have been made available to states to better prepare state and local emergency personnel to respond to future terrorist attacks, the Homeland Security Department announced Monday.

"This funding for the men and women on the front lines of the war on terrorism is essential. We do not underestimate the role that state and local governments play in protecting American citizens against the threat of terrorism," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in a statement.

The $2.2 billion in department grants will be allocated to states through three programs, according to a Homeland Security press release. States would then be required to allocate 80 percent of their funding to local communities.

The State Homeland Security Program will allocate $1.7 billion to improve first responders' capabilities by conducting training exercises and by purchasing equipment, the department said.

About $500 million will be provided to states through the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, which is intended to help law enforcement agencies improve their information-sharing capabilities and reduce the vulnerability of certain high-risk targets. In addition, Homeland Security has also made $35 million available to aid in the development of Citizen Corps Councils, which are intended to help engage citizens in homeland security.

To speed the distribution of Homeland Security funding, states will now be able to apply online with one form to all three programs, according to the department press release.

"No longer will our state and local partners have to go to different places within the department to apply for terrorism-related funding. It ensures that nationwide, homeland security officials have one place where they can tap into the resources as well as the information they need," Ridge said.

COMMENTS

• We should use this $2 billion to support Hunter's bill to buy American on defense goods and services. If Iraq is any example, we have to pour our money into the enemy camp to rebuild a society that never stood up for themselves. We would have been better off to have lost the war - at least it would have been a lot cheaper. The people of the USA, which generates half the worlds income, soes not even have a decent medical program. Yet we find all kinds of money to rebuild losers. At least we should have a buy American provision in the defense authorization and appropriation bills - Duncan Hunter stick to your guns and do not compromise! It is not cheaper to buy defense items overseas - those that think so (McCain) are not considering the impact of having those goods cutoff from our military in times of war! The cost of the USA being unable to fight a major war wouold be extremely expensive! John and the White House should factor that into their considerations. If they have then they are just plain bad decision makers. GovExec.com reader Posted November 5, 2003 6:48 AM
• This is more feel good spending for the heck of it. There is no logic to sending my tax dollars to Washington, where it's sent over to Homeland Security, who adds value to the money(?), then sends it back to my state firefighters. Also, does the same amount get granted next year? Will my representatives be labeled "anti-firefighter" or "pro-terrorist" if they oppose future grants? When will state and local government become obsolete? An allocation like this is certaintly a step in that direction. JAck LAngley Posted November 5, 2003 12:28 PM