Trump proposes cuts to grants that help states fight terrorism
Trump proposes cuts to grants that help states fight terrorism
By Tony Pugh and Anshu Siripurapu
McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget would cut $667 million in federal grants to states for security against terrorist threats, a reduction that local officials are certain to fight after Monday’s deadly bombing in Britain spurred fresh questions about U.S. security.
Since 2003, the Department of Homeland Security has doled out billions of dollars to help state and local governments shore up their terrorism prevention and response capabilities.
Trump’s 2018 budget request to Congress targets for reduction the Homeland Security Grant Program, whose three components fund a range of preparedness activities, like equipment purchases, training and planning, among other programs.
According to a Trump budget document explaining the cuts, the grant program “must provide more measurable results and ensure the federal government is not supplanting other stakeholders’ responsibilities.”
“What they’re saying is, ‘This is a state and local responsibility. If you guys are really worried about it in state X or Y, than you should do it,’ ” said Lawrence J. Korb, a senior fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress.
more...
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article152245887.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
