Security bill makes sense
Our thought on the matter
Tuesday, April 26, 2026

It only took four years for Congress to decide a better method for distributing federal homeland security dollars might be to give it to states that are most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Bills to do just that are before both the House and Senate, and it appears as if, unlike last year, the two chambers will reach an agreement and finally pass a law that will provide New York with a larger share of the pot. ItÕs only fair considering the state remains the countryÕs number one terrorist target.

As the per-capita formula stands, New York gets $5.47 for every resident, while Wyoming receives $38.31 per person.

Of course, it doesnÕt matter how much money is allocated if it never makes it down to the firefighters, police officers, border agents, emergency preparedness personnel and other front-line responders that need it.

Under a provision of the Senate bill now being considered, more than half of the $2.9 billion in funding would be sent directly to cities Ñ bypassing the bottleneck in Albany

A similar measure in the House bill requires states to pass on 80 percent of homeland security money to local governments within 45 days. Both bills also set standards to make sure the money is used to improve Òessential capabilities.Ó

We believe each of the bills has merit and, if passed, could dramatically improve security in Western New York, particularly along the Canadian border.

We urge members of the House and Senate to work together to reach a compromise that can accomplish what homeland security funding should be about Ñ getting the most money to the most vulnerable areas.
View Printable Story

Add a comment