The federal government awarded approximately $41 million to Wisconsin Monday as part of the nation’s Homeland Security plan to help the state prevent, respond and recover from potential acts of terrorism.
The funding was allocated for the 2004 fiscal budget and will be distributed among three different programs, including the State Homeland Security Program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program and Citizen Corps. These groups provide resources to state and local governments to ensure security within Wisconsin.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge said the crux of security work is local, justifying the grants.
“State and local communication and coordination, after all, reflect the very nature of Homeland Security, the federal government working with the hometowns of America to keep our country safe and free,” Ridge said in a statement.
The majority of the funds, approximately $31 million, will be designated to the Homeland Security program to help state and local public-safety and law-enforcement personnel pay for planning, training, equipment and exercises.
About $9 million will be available to provide law-enforcement communities with enhanced capabilities for detecting, deterring, disrupting and preventing terrorist acts, focusing on preventing an incident involving a weapon of mass destruction.
The remaining amount will go toward planning, outreach and management of Citizen Corps’s voluntary programs, which allow residents to participate in Homeland Security efforts in their community.
“The state awards grants determinant on need assessments,” Paul Guequierre, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance, said.
Guequierre added that counties cannot do whatever they want with the money; they must follow certain guidelines set forth by the federal government.
In 2003 Wisconsin received $38.5 million for security measures. However, Guequierre said the higher amounts this year are not indicative of higher threats.
“It’s been pretty calm,” he said. “This [amount] is what it takes.”
Andrew Reschovsky, University of Wisconsin professor of public affairs and applied economics, said the money award is often “very contiguous.”
“The money comes with strings attached,” he added.
Reschovsky said whether or not the amount for Homeland Security, in relation to other programs, is appropriate is largely based on political contingency. Everyone in Congress and in politics has their own agenda and views on what and where amounts should be distributed.
“Some have strong opinions,” he said. “These are very hard questions to answer other than on the basis of opinion. Some will have varying opinions.”
Reschovsky also said many U.S. senators want to give the most money to their own state, causing equality problems. For example, the money given to New York may not be comparable to the amount given to Nebraska per capita.
Each state was given a grant for Homeland Security comparative to its reported needs. Wisconsin received slightly more than Minnesota and slightly less than Michigan.
“[The amount] was expected,” Guequierre said.
