AP: States Setting Up Homeland Security Panel

[Eugene]

June 1, 2006, 2:00AM
States Setting Up Homeland Security Panel

By ROBERT TANNER AP National Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

— Seeking a bigger say in homeland security decisions, the nation's governors
are creating a new, 50-state panel to give the states a single voice on national
plans to prepare for threats from terrorists and natural disasters.

The Homeland Security Advisors Council will aim to resolve problems between the
federal and state governments that predate the 2002 creation of the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security, from intelligence to funding to sharing National Guard
resources.

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The formation of the council comes a month after a survey of state homeland security
directors found widespread dissatisfaction with the way the federal government works
with states.

Among the top complaints: limited sharing of intelligence on possible terrorist
threats; multiple burdens placed on National Guard troops; and, insufficient
preparations for natural disasters and other emergencies.

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Full article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/3919281.html