King Praises DHS Homeland Security Grant Allocations
May 19, 2011
Funding Allocations Recognize NYC as Top Terror Target
Washington, D.C. –– Today, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security allocation of 2011 homeland security grant funding:
“As Chairman, I am grateful that, despite a 20 percent cut by Congress in homeland security grant funding, Secretary Janet Napolitano has allocated the New York City-Long Island region the exact amount of funding that we received last year in the most important categories. Today’s allocations in this difficult fiscal climate reflect my strong belief and Secretary Napolitano’s recognition that New York and Long Island remain the top target of al Qaeda and its affiliates and need continued federal funding.
“While some lower risk cities saw complete elimination of their funding through UASI, the most critical of the grant programs for New York, the NYC area’s allocation remains unchanged. In the programs where New York did see a reduction, that reduction was the smallest of any of the highest risk areas.”
Note: Under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), funding for New York City and Long Island remains steady. In 2011, DHS is slated to provide the region with $151.5 million, the same amount as in 2010. The overall amount available for UASI allocation is 20.4% less than last year. In today’s allocation announcement, DHS reduced the number of UASI jurisdictions from 64 to 31, a reflection of the need to target limited homeland security funding to the most high-risk areas.
Under the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), DHS will provide the NYC area with $30.1 million, which represents a 10.8% ($3.6 million) reduction from last year. The overall amount available for PSGP allocation is 18.4% less than last year.
Under the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), DHS plans to provide New York State with $91.1 million, which represents a 19.7% ($22.3 million) reduction from last year’s funding of $113.5 million. The overall amount available for SHSGP allocation is 37.4% less than last year.