Pederson calls for restoration, of Arizona's homeland security funding. Options

[FellowDemocrat]

I noticed how he used Bayh's now famous, "Tough and smart" line. Excellant.

http://www.pederson2006.com/newsroom_details.asp?id=948

PEDERSON CALLS FOR RESTORATION OF ARIZONA HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING

More must be done at home to protect America

PHOENIX — Business leader and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson today called on Congress to restore money cut from Arizona’s Homeland Security funding.

The state’s Homeland Security funding has decreased nearly 67 percent over the past four years, despite the obvious concerns about our porous border. In June, Homeland Security officials slashed more than $18 million in funding for Arizona. To make matters worse, Phoenix is currently under review for potentially losing its entire grant funding for FY 2007, after losing $6 million in funding this year.

Today, Jim Pederson issued the following the statement regarding the foiled terrorist plots in Great Britain and the need to restore Arizona Homeland Security funding:

“Today’s news is a reminder that we live in a dangerous world with people who are intent on killing Americans and disrupting our way of life.

“Our government must be both tough and smart in prosecuting the fight against terrorism, and in Arizona, that starts with restoring the tens of millions of dollars cut from our Homeland Security funding.

“The current funding formula used by the Department of Homeland Security leaves Arizona vulnerable to a terrorist attack, because our local law enforcement officials don’t have the resources and tools they need to protect our communities. Congress should demand a change to the funding formula so that the money gets to the communities most at risk.

“We must also implement the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 commission, which have been ignored for far too long, leaving our airports, seaports and energy plants dangerously unsecured.

“The terror plot thwarted by English investigators reminds us that we owe thanks to all of those on the front lines of protecting this country, but we also owe them the resources they need to protect our families, as well.”

Other Arizona leaders have also spoken out on this issue.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon: “I am shocked and outraged. We’re the fastest-growing metropolitan area. We have the nation’s largest nuclear power plant, the seventh busiest airport and the only base that trains F-16 fighter pilots.” [Arizona Republic, 6/2/06]

Cam Hunter, deputy director of the Arizona Office of Homeland Security: “Our funding was cut in half, but we don’t feel our vulnerability to terrorism suddenly fell. We’re a border state, and it’s well established that illegal border crossings equate to homeland security.” [Arizona Republic, 6/2/06]

This post has been edited by FellowDemocrat: Aug 16 2006, 12:04 AM