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_ �• �� I CITIES' VOICES NEEQED ON FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS Cities are urged to contact their Congressional representatives while the Congress members are back in their districts to press them to immediately appropriate in the next Congress, the President' s request for 53.5 billion for first responders, and provide local govemments direct access to these f�nds. ' Remind them that: • As seen on September 11 "', and in the critical time immediately following, it is local first responders who are on the frontlines in the fight to secure the homeland. � • California cities need adequate resources to protect public safety. • In California, local governments have already spent millions of dollars on increased security, preparedness, and emer- gency response costs since September 11�'. Cities and counties have upgraded security at key public facilities, en- hanced information technology and communications systems, and improved local bioterrorism response capabilities. League Efforts on Homeland Security The League worked closely with Califomia Congressional delegation Co-Chairs David Dreier and Sam Farr to vigorously press for increased resources for local first responders. Unfortunately, the session was completed without final action on the President's proposed $3.5 billion first Responder Initiative or FY 2003 Appropriations bills which contained local first responder funding. Following is a wrap-up of Congressional action. Homeland Security Block Grant On June 27, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the "First Responder Terrorism Prepared- ness Act of 2002" (S. 2664), which would authorize $3.5 billion for the President's first responders initiative from FY 2003- 2006. S. 2664 would authorize grants to local and state governments for: first responder training; preparedness exercises; Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces; interoperable equipment such as emergency communications systems; upgrading emergency operating centers; and developing consistent, integrated preparedness and response plans among all levels of government. The bill would not allow granu to be used for compensation to first responders, including payment for overtime. The p� ogram would be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who would be responsible for ��tting guidelines and standards for first responders. Under e r jnt process, the legistation would provide each state with a base amount of $15 million. The remaining fundf. ✓vo. �E .istributed to states based upon risk criteria including population, location of critical infrastructure, and pro>_mi�,; ir �rnational borders. Each state would be obligated to direct at least 75 percent of its first responder funds to locz gc rn ents, taking into account the same risk factors applied to states. -ne L�uF working with national local government groups and California Committee Members 8arbara Boxer and Hillary Roc �am ��linton (D-N.Y.), secured several amendments a^d clarifying provisions that strengther.�� the role of local govemmer s, induding: • Requir ne•�t that states direct subgrants to local govem� ��ts n_ ater th�, �5 days ar�er receipt of funds; • Reqw �e that states coordinate with locai govemments in the planning and use of the subgrants to local govem- ment� • Allow �e �r state and local governments to count in-kind contributions as part of their required 25 percent cost share �d • Coorc ation of relevant first responder law enfo�cement activities with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Serv�. �s (COPS). The House did not take any action on the Presider.�. �s Initiative. In the new Congress, this legislation will have to be reintroc.:ced. Continued on page 5 PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org