Ridge Rejects Pleas for Security Funding

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Tuesday dismissed the growing cries from state and local governments for more federal dollars to prepare for and fight terrorism.

Instead, he said, the money is there, just waiting to be tapped.

"I know there are concerns about access to dollars, if I were a governor or mayor I'd be concerned," Ridge said after speaking to a gathering of business and government leaders. "The dollars are available to the cities and states, they just need to apply for them."

Ridge said the federal government has about $4 billion in place, and "we're ready to send you a check."

But state and local officials at the homeland security conference organized by the Council for Excellence in Government said there are still major deficiencies in their ability to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack. And they need funding from the federal government to meet those needs.

more

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-ridge-homeland-security,0,7379632.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[bluedeminredstate]

1. four billion??

Doesn't seem like much to go around when you've got fifty governors and hundreds of mayors asking for funds. I guess they're a little short with that 87 billion they want to send to Iraq. AND since it's already costing 5 billion a month now, well, it's really understandable, you know - the flypaper thingy and all. Right? Right?
:think: