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Lawmaker: Slashed anti-terror funding 'knife in the back'

By Michael Clancy | amNewYork City Editor

June 1, 2006

Outraged New York lawmakers slammed the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday for slashing the Big Apple's federal anti-terrorism funding by 40%.

New York City, arguably the nation's top terror target in the wake of 9/11, will receive $124.5 million in grants this year intended for high-risk cities, down from the $204 million in total grants that New York received last year.

New York's Democratic senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer both blasted the cuts, but the harshest criticism for President George W. Bush's administration came from a fellow Republican, Rep. Peter King of Long Island.

"As far as I'm concerned, the Department of Homeland Security and the administration have declared war on New York," said King, the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee. "It's a knife in the back to New York."

A worksheet made by the federal government to explain the funding decision said the city had only four major financial institutions at risk, and no national monuments or icons, according to a copy reviewed by The Associated Press.

"Anyone who can't see New York monuments at risk is as blind as a bat when it comes to homeland security," Schumer said.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican, said, "When you stop a terrorist, they have a map of New York City in their pocket. They don't have a map of the other 46 or 45 places" on the list.

Most cities were bracing for a cut because Congress slashed the Urban Area Security Initiative this year by $115 million from the $855 million allocated last year. The $740 million in this year's plan is being split among 46 communities because Homeland Security added three cities -- Memphis, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale -- to the list.

"Our job is to make sure we apply resources in an appropriate manner across the breadth of this nation," Homeland Security Undersecretary George Foresman told reporters in Washington.

It was not enough of an explanation for Clinton, who asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff for a detailed explanation about why the funding decision was made.

"As we approach the solemn and tragic fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, we are sadly reminded that New York is on its own when it comes to protecting citizens from future terrorist attacks," Clinton said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.