Homeland Security Efforts to be Reviewed

Senator White's Resolution calls for study of spending, effectiveness

The state Senate today adopted a resolution introduced by Senator Don White calling for a comprehensive review of the Commonwealth's efforts to improve homeland security.

Senate Resolution 366 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review homeland security funding and preparedness in the Commonwealth and provide a report of its findings to the Senate no later than June 1 of 2007.

"Since 9-11, Pennsylvania has received more than $615 million in federal funding for homeland security programs and initiatives, but we haven't seen a detailed account of how that money has been invested at the state or local levels," said Senator White, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

As specifically stated in this resolution, the LBFC is directed to look at several key components of the Commonwealth's homeland security efforts including:

How much federal funding has the Commonwealth received and how much money has been distributed to counties, municipalities, school districts, hospitals and emergency responders for homeland security programs?
Which state and local agencies are receiving money and is it provided in accordance with their critical needs?
What obstacles are agencies facing when seeking federal funding for homeland security?
Do state agencies have adequate resources and sufficient authority to effectively direct the coordination of homeland security efforts?
What oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that homeland security funds are being used for their intended purposes?

"It has been more than five years since the terrible attacks of 9-11 and it is time to take stock of where we are now in relation to our capabilities to handle potential terrorist threats at the state, county and local levels," Senator White said.