AUGUSTA – Maine will be getting less than half the funds expected for homeland security programs this year, and that will lead to Mainers being “less safe,” charge state officials.
“It’s yet again another example of the federal government not meeting its responsibilities,” Gov. John Baldacci said. “Our citizen’s health and security is my No. 1 job and I am going to make sure we do it.”
Maine was expecting about $16 million under the previous distribution formula. It is getting $7.7 million according to state officials – not enough, Baldacci said.
The governor said there much equipment is needed by first responders across the state as well as additional training for responding to disasters, natural or manmade. He said while the state has made progress since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, there is much still to be done.
“We have to make further improvements in our homeland security protection,” he said, “and citizens need to have that security to know that their state is taking the steps necessary. It will have to come from the state budget.”
Baldacci is hopeful members of the state’s congressional delegation can get increased funding, but that’s far from certain. Sen. Susan Collins has twice gotten Senate approval to increase the funding and provide for a minimum allocation for every state, but the House rejected her proposals.
“The days following Hurricane Katrina demonstrated how unprepared we are as a nation to respond to a natural disaster that was predictable and predicted,” Collins said. “A terrorist strike for which we have no advance warning could prove even more devastating.”
She said the cut in funding is “shortsighted and dangerous” and ignores the likelihood terrorists will strike where an attack in unexpected, not where government agencies have clearly prepared for an attack.
“I am concerned that the decline in homeland security grant funding combined with a continued focus on large urban areas ignores the reality of where terrorists train and travel, and where natural disasters are likely to strike,” she said.
Second District Congressman Mike Michaud said Collins’ proposal was defeated by House Republicans. Her legislation had Michaud’s support and that of many other Democrats. He said while there will be a fight to change the funding formula and increase the amount of funding for homeland security, he is not optimistic of House approval of Collins’ legislation.
“It’s my hope that during the mid term elections we will see a change in the House and will see leadership in the house that is concerned about security back here, at home,” he said. “I don’t feel any more secure than I did after the September 11th attacks; in fact, I feel less secure here, back at home.”
Charles Jacobs, the acting director of MEMA, said it would take a while to assess the impact of the reduction in federal funds. He said some training and equipment priorities will have to change because of the deep cuts, but MEMA staff is still assessing where best to make reductions.
“Clearly we are going to have to be more focused than we have in past years,” he said. “We have to review existing commitments and how they fit in with our overall goals.”
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