Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on New Homeland Security Funding for New York Cities

July 26, 2008 - PRLog -- "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

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A Native of New York, Rena writes as a freelance speech writer, ghost writer, journalist, and poet. She has been represented by the Hearst Corporation, Conde Nast, and Random House.