WASHINGTON, DC, July 25, 2008 (RealEstateRama) – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton issued the following statement in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement of new funding for homeland security programs aimed at helping New York’s first responders.
“While I am pleased that Albany, Rochester, Syracuse will receive much-needed investments in their homeland security infrastructure, I continue to be shocked at the administration’s disregard for the pressing needs of New York City and the Buffalo-Niagara region, both of which face real and significant threats every day. In New York City, despite the growing burdens of protecting our City and its people, infrastructure, and iconic landmarks, the administration has allotted significantly less money for this job than it did in 2005. DHS has also once again short-changed the Buffalo-Niagara region, which faces considerable security challenges as a key border crossing and tourist destination. New York’s first responders deserve all the support we can give them. Unfortunately, the administration still seems content to let politics rather than real world threat levels drive their funding decisions.”
Senator Clinton has long been a vocal advocate for threat-based homeland security funding. Earlier this year, she warned President Bush against reducing homeland security grant programs in his Fiscal Year 2009 budget request. In previous years, Senator Clinton has repeatedly pressed the administration to give New York the resources it needs as a high-threat area. In 2006, she succeeded in persuading DHS to reverse massive cuts in funding to New York.
A full list of the new grants follows.
Urban Area Security Initiative
New York City $144,189,000
Albany $1,757,000
Buffalo/Niagara $5,306,000
Rochester $1,466,000
Syracuse $1,601,000
State Homeland Security Grant Program
New York $76,500,000
Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program
New York City/Northern New Jersey area $9,921,750
Operation Stonegarden Grant Program
New York $4,570,000
Non-profit Security Grant Program
New York City $4,085,205
Albany $75,000
Citizen Corp Program
New York $665,317
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
Buffalo/Niagara $321,221
New York City $321,221
Rochester $321,221
Syracuse $321,221
Yonkers $321,221
