re-posted from ForAff/N'tl Sec, DHS cuts, are we safer? sad list indeed

[NMDemDist2]

Bush Administration cut $150 million for first responders. The Bush Administration cut Homeland Security spending by $150 million for 2004. This budget does not provide enough money to give emergency responders adequate training and resources – even though they are on the front lines. The Bush Administration rejected a $200 million proposal to adequately support first responders – at the same time asking for $290 million in spending for first responders in Iraq. “Senate Digs into Iraq $87 Billion,” Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2003; “The War Against Terrorism: Working Together to Protect America,” U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, March 4, 2003

GOP rejects funding for 1,803 additional Arizona first responders. Congressional Republicans rejected a proposal to hire 100,000 additional first responders nationwide, including nearly 1,803 in Arizona. At the same time the Bush Administration supported $290 million in spending for first responders for Iraq. “Senate Digs into Iraq $87 billion,” Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2003; “Republicans Reject Extending Unemployment Benefits, Hiring 100,000 Police, Fire and Security Personnel,” U.S. Rep. George Miller Press Release, March 27, 2003

Bush calls for $1 billion in cuts for Homeland Security in secret budget planning document. In May 2004, a secret budget planning memo became public. In the document, Bush called for $1 billion in Homeland Security funding. These cuts could pay the salaries of more than 23,700 police officers or more than 28,000 firefighters. Source: http://www.salary.com ; Washington Post, 5/27/04

Bush 2005 budget cuts 15% from Department of Homeland Security grants for federal assistance to local law enforcement, including first responders – COPS funds are sliced by 80%. “The budget also includes $3.6 billion for state and local agencies, including local police and firefighters, which is more than $800 million less than the 2004 budgeted amount.” Washington Post, 2/2/04 & 2/3/04; Associated Press, 2/2/04

Bush 2005 budget cuts nearly $1 billion in Homeland Security grants for local law enforcement. “Total homeland security grants sought for state and local agencies are down $975 million in the proposed budget from last year’s figure to $1.4 billion. Requested funding for state and local training, exercises and technical assistance is down $142 million -- from $320 million in FY 2004 to $178 million.” source: UPI, 2/2/04

Bush cut $5 million in Rural Firefighter Training Grants. source UPI, 2/4/04

Bush cut $250 million in FIRE Act programs, - a 33 percent reduction. The FIRE program sends money directly to local fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel. source: National Volunteer Fire Council newsletter, http://www.nvfc.org

[teryang]

1. We have enough police

...thank you. Fuck homeland security, I want funding for our schools, our elderly and a national health care system.

[NMDemDist2]

2. so do I , but it wouldn't hurt to have the EMT's, Firemen and Cops

all being able to talk to each other

[teryang]

3. With one NMD test funding

...you could supply all the fireman and police in the entire country with communications.

With one week Iraq war funding you could do the same.

Our elected leaders vote for this crap. I guess that is the point. I'm not big on homeland security. Sometimes it seems like Democratic officials are trying to get to the right of the repukes on these issues.

Everyone wants well equipped firemen and paramedics. It's like mom and apple pie. But to hear politicians bitch about these lopsided priorities is galling when they voted for a trillion dollars in defense spending in just two years and literally gave away tens of billions of dollars to corporations as soon as they got in power.