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December 3, 2007 03:03:36
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Jersey faults Bush counterterror budget
Ex-Gov. Kean among those criticizing slash in proposed funding
Sunday, December 02, 2007
BY ALLISON STEELE AND LESLIE KWOH
Star-Ledger Staff
New Jersey officials yesterday criticized the Bush administration's plan to slash federal counterterrorism funding by more than half, saying the move would leave the state vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
White House budget documents indicate the administration proposes to eliminate programs across the country for port security, transit security and local emergency management operations in the next budget year, the Associated Press reported yesterday.
Those documents say the administration does not believe the federal funds have been well spent, and thinks the nation's high-risk cities have adequate security measures in place.
Former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean, who chaired the 9/11 commission from 2002 to 2003, disagreed strongly with the idea that the nation's security needs are met. The commission's report called for strengthened security in mass transit and ports, he said.
"Funding is basic," Kean said. "We need more help with security, not less."
NJ Transit spokeswoman Penny Bassett Hackett echoed that sentiment.
"Federal funding for transit security is critical for us," she said. "And while we've made significant progress in this area since 9/11, more needs to be done."
The Homeland Security Department has given $23 billion in counterterrorism funding to states and communities since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Newark and Jersey City shared $3.6 million this year, according to the documents cited by the Associated Press.
In past years, Newark has used federal funds to acquire supplies like decontamination tents and satellite and computer equipment.
But serious questions about the use of homeland security funds have been raised across the country, as well as in New Jersey. Newark officials came under fire in 2005 after it was revealed the city used $300,000 in anti-terrorism grants to buy two new garbage trucks, which state lawmakers said were not priorities and hurt the state's credibility.
The Department of Homeland Security requested $3.2 billion to combat terrorism in 2009. According to the budget papers cited by the Associated Press, the White House intends to ask Congress for $1.4 billion, slashing the port, transit and other security grants to make up the difference.
The budget would not go into effect until September 2008. But Congress is not likely to support the cuts, which are guaranteed to raise ire among local lawmakers.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who has advocated for port and transit security programs, released a statement yesterday condemning the plan.
"For an administration that constantly uses 9/11 and the continuing terrorist threats to justify a whole range of policies, this would seem to be a decision rooted in a pre-9/11 mentality," the statement reads. "We've seen a lot of questionable homeland security decisions by the Bush Administration over the past six years, and this one would be one of the more misguided moves."
Menendez also said a deep cut in national homeland security funding would affect New Jersey more than many other states, because of New Jersey's concentration of ports, transit systems and people.
Kean said security in New Jersey has been better in recent years, thanks to improved communication between local and federal agencies. But, he said, the government must not become complacent when it comes to terrorists.
"We can't let down our guard. We know these people are still out there," he said. "Federal officials are thinking we're safe enough and they're lacking a sense of urgency."
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