White House: NYC's Homeland Security Funding Increased

The White House wants New Yorkers—like Rep. Peter King and Senator Charles Schumer—to stop freaking out over funding to counterterrorism programs being cut. Because the White House says NYC's funds actually increased... thanks to stimulus money (and no thanks to the Bush Administration).

Lawmakers said yesterday that the Department of Homeland Security was allocating $111 million for mass transit security (down from $153 million) and $34 million for port security (down from $45 million). White House spokeswoman Moira Mack said, "The reports are wrong. When all federal funding is totaled, NYC has received a net increase of $47 million for port and transit security over the previous year's budget, the last signed into law by the Bush Administration. Those who suggest otherwise are not counting the more than $100 million in port and transit security grants for NYC from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With that money, the total for NYC will be $245 million, more than $47million than what was allotted by the Bush Administration in the previous year. In fact, one out of every three recovery dollars for transit and port security went to NYC, making them the largest recipient in the country."

However, King is skeptical of Obama's math, telling the Daily News that the stimulus money (from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) is only a one-time deal, "That's a story they're coming up with at the last minute, because an hour ago they were saying they couldn't give us the money because Congress only allocated $300 million. Actually, Obama only asked for $250 million."

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By Jen Chung in News on May 13, 2010 9:49 AM

Comments [rss]

hunter.blatherer

So anti-terrorism measures are really about stimulating the economy. Maybe we can send predator drones over Rep. King's district, for jobs?

SeaKris

Did you forget that they are trying to eliminate the Coast Guard's specialized anti-terrorism team from NYC as well? There may be a net gain, but you can't ignore that the administration is leaving the port more vulnerable to a waterborne attack.

ddoc727

Peter King loses his credibility (oh wait, he had any?) when he goes on the radio bleating about how "New York City and Long Island are the biggest terrorist targets in the world"... wait, Pete. Sorry... did you say Long Island? Are you perhaps a Congressman from LONG ISLAND? Is Long Island even remotely in the same category as New York City for this topic? Isn't the whole point of debate that we're spreading money to places that don't need it for political reasons? A whole lot of outrage over nothing. Typical day in the land of Peter King.

psquire

Agreed,I don't see how he can't "agree with the math". The numbers are right freaking there. The total for NYC will be $245 million. King dodges and dismisses that fact.

Politburo

King does have a valid point. Stimulus spending is one-time (really two-time, since it is spread across two years).

But that doesn't mean the math is wrong, because there is still a variable in the equation. Namely, the next budget. If the stimulus funding is moved into an appropriation, then King doesn't have a point, and vice-versa. But we won't know that for another year or so.

Instead of being skeptical of the math, a rational person might have replied that they would use their position as a Congressman to ensure that the overall terror funding levels would remain for the next budget year.

Mordicai

I mean...if you include Brooklyn & Queens in "Long Island"...since they are ON Long Island...then maybe he has a point. Except uh, I don't think that is his point.

Stevennnn

There is nothing to destroy on Long Island. Houses? Stores?

BDS=(Boycott.Divest.Sanction)

What this story and the other one a few months ago about taxing bonuses illustrates is that where people stand on issues has everything to do with how it effects them and nothing to do with right or wrong.

When the fed wastes money with vague funding of projects, everyone says they should cut the spending. Yet when the money coming to NY is cut and it effects YOU, then its another story. Then wasteful govt spending is ok.

Most everyone complains about the banks and executive pay. Yet a few months ago when the govt went after the bonuses paid to executives, which would effect the citys tax base, the moral outrage disappears. When it effects you, excessive pay has to be tolerated.

I'm generalizing, not everyone sees the issues this way, but it seems like most people do.

Thats probably never going to change, but its good to know where peoples opinions come from. Its not from some rational place, not from some objective where theres right and wrong, its a ever changing, how does this effect me, what do I get out of it?