File #: Res 0866-2003    Version: Name: Homeland Security Funding
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on State and Federal Legislation
On agenda: 5/14/2003
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution commending the United States government for taking threat information, critical infrastructure and population density into consideration when distributing homeland security and bioterrorism funding, and further calling upon the United States government to continue to account for such factors when distributing additional homeland security and bioterrorism funding and to distribute such funds directly to the City of New York and other high-risk localities across the nation.
Sponsors: Gifford Miller, Joel Rivera, Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., Tony Avella, Maria Baez, Yvette D. Clarke, James E. Davis, Simcha Felder, Lewis A. Fidler, James F. Gennaro, Vincent J. Gentile, Alan J. Gerson, Robert Jackson, Melinda R. Katz, G. Oliver Koppell, Margarita Lopez, Michael E. McMahon, Michael C. Nelson, Bill Perkins, Christine C. Quinn, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., James Sanders, Jr., Larry B. Seabrook, Helen Sears, Jose M. Serrano, Kendall Stewart, David I. Weprin, David Yassky, Betsy Gotbaum, Peter F. Vallone, Jr., Gale A. Brewer
Council Member Sponsors: 31
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Transcript, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5/28
Proposed Res. No. 866-A Title Resolution commending the United States government for taking threat information, critical infrastructure and population density into consideration when distributing homeland security and bioterrorism funding, and further calling upon the United States government to continue to account for such factors when distributing additional homeland security and bioterrorism funding and to distribute such funds directly to the City of New York and other high-risk localities across the nation. Body By The Speaker (Council Member Miller) and Council Members Rivera, Addabbo, Avella, Baez, Clarke, Davis, Felder, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, Gerson, Jackson, Katz, Koppell, Lopez, McMahon, Nelson, Perkins, Quinn, Recchia, Sanders, Seabrook, Sears, Serrano, Stewart, Weprin, Yassky, The Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum), Vallone, Jr. and Brewer Whereas, The City of New York is our nation's cultural and financial capital, and remains the prime target for terrorists; and Whereas, A recent distribution of homeland security funding approved by Congress and the President allocated $26.5 million to New York State, which amounted to only $1.40 per resident, far less than the national state average of $1.98 per resident; and Whereas, A recent distribution of bioterrorism funding allocated $33.7 million to New York City, which amounted to only $4.16 per resident, far less than the national mean of $5.27 per resident, ranking New York City 9th lowest in the nation of the fifty four political subdivisions for which such funding is provided; and Whereas, Subsequent proposals for distribution of homeland security funding included a similar formula whereby monies were to be awarded to states and localities on a per capita basis, and apportioning millions of dollars through such a formula, regardless of known threats or vulnerabilities, does not recognize New York City's pressing needs and security concerns; and Whereas, The most devastating attack ever waged on US soil occurred in New York City on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, and, according to the City of New York Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., this event has cost the City as much as $83 billion, including $27 billion in lost tourist and ancillary revenue and more than $50 billion in infrastructure damage; and Whereas, On April 9, 2003, the New York City Council adopted Resolution No. 551, calling upon the Congress of the United States to distribute homeland security funding directly to the City of New York and other localities across the nation based upon risk assessment and target potential, to ensure maximum receipt of federal funds; and Whereas, On May 14, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the allocation of $700 million in homeland security funds nation-wide to enhance the security of urban areas with high-density population and critical infrastructure; and Whereas, Pursuant to DHS' announcement, $500 million of such funds will be provided through the states to 30 cities and their contiguous counties based on a formula that takes into account threat information, critical infrastructure and population density, the consideration of which results in a more equitable and reasonable share of such funds for New York City; and Whereas, However, distributing homeland security funds allocated for localities through states is inefficient and burdensome, and it would therefore be more expeditious to distribute such funds directly to the localities for which they are allocated; and Whereas, Unfortunately, New York City continues to face homeland security expenses that far exceed the funds allocated by the federal government; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York commends the United States government for taking threat information, critical infrastructure and population density into consideration when distributing homeland security and bioterrorism funding, and further calls upon the United States government to continue to account for such factors when distributing additional homeland security and bioterrorism funding and to distribute such funds directly to the City of New York and other high-risk localities across the nation. GRS LS# 2358 5/19/03 |1013|