Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Homeland Security fears cuts
By Andrew Peters
The Daily Campus (U. Connecticut)
10/21/2005

(U-WIRE) STORRS, Conn. — Connecticut's homeland security funding could receive major cuts in 2006 as a result of a new spending plan that Congress approved Oct. 7.

Under the new plan, each state will receive a flat $7.13 million appropriation, and all additional funding will be distributed through a "risk-based" application process. The new legislation phased out population-based funding, which had been a large consideration in past years.

Those in favor, including Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) and Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.), hope that a risk-based allocation will address each state's needs more effectively than the old system did.

However the fundamental change was received poorly by Connecticut legislators, including Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-3rd) and Rep. John Larson (D-3rd). Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) also strongly opposed the new plan.

"The governor feels strongly that some homeland security money should be allocated on the basis of risk," said Rich Harris, a Rell spokesman. "The problem is that by skipping a per-capita allocation, you've created a giant lobbying game for homeland security funds, and it's a game without any rules at this point. There are no guidelines, no explanations, no definitions, no timetable for how that allocation is to be made."

According to Harris, funding for Connecticut's homeland security dropped from $46 million to $21 million last year alone. A major cause for the drop-off was the decline in funding for New Haven port from 2004 to 2005. In 2004, the port received $10.4 million in the form of risk-based aid. This year the funding was not renewed.

With more emphasis on risk-based funding now than ever before, many fear other potential terrorist targets will also fail to qualify for aid, according to Harris. Though the state will definitely receive more than its guaranteed $7.13 million, the question is how much more, and under what criteria.

"Well-intentioned people can disagree about the definition of risk," Harris said.

If funding continues to decline, fears of terrorism may start hitting a little too close to home.

"I don't think it's fair that government has begun allotting a significant portion of money based upon 'high-risk' areas," said Mike Manos, a 1st-semester civil engineering major. "Who are they to tell us who's more at risk? A terrorist can hijack a plane anywhere."

Others have grown tired of the partisanship that has overshadowed the homeland security debate. "I don't have a preference either way," said Mike Smith, a 1st-semester electrical engineering major. "I just hope the new plan will be an answer to the funding problem."

While students don't necessarily feel threatened at UConn, the uncertainty of state and national safety remains a concern.

"I feel safe," Smith said. "Only because UConn is in the middle of nowhere, not because of the bumbling idiots running our country."

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