Bush pledges to double homeland security spending

President Bush on Thursday detailed a portion of his homeland security agenda and how much funding he would request from Congress for that agenda in his fiscal 2003 budget.

Addressing the U.S. Conference of Mayors in the White House, Bush said his budget--to be released early next month--will include $38 billion for homeland security, double the $19.5 billion the federal government was spending in the area before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Of that $38 billion, $3.5 billion would be allotted for aid to state and local emergency responders. Money would go toward enhancing "first responder" programs, securing the nation's borders, combating bioterrorism, strengthening intelligence sharing, improving transportation security and supporting other defense-related initiatives.

"We're going to make resources available so we can work together," Bush said. This "is the beginning of a homeland defense initiative that's going to last throughout my administration."

Bush has designated the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the lead agency to coordinate money going to 36,000 local jurisdictions. He said a lead agency is needed to make sure information flows properly and that communications and rescue equipment is updated and compatible, not just statewide but nationwide. Many first responders involved in the Sept. 11 rescue attempts were unable to communicate with each other via radios or other systems.

Public safety officials have said the Defense Department should vacate necessary spectrum bands to allow such communication in cases of emergency. State and local officials also have stressed the need for more access to government databases to be updated on potential terrorist threats, including bioterrorism.

About $2 billion in Bush's budget would be allotted for state and local first-responder agencies to purchase a wide range of equipment, including personal protective equipment, chemical and biological detection systems, and interoperable communications gear.

"I can assure you this: This government's willing to cooperate," Bush said.

White House Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said Bush has been involved "every day" in developing a homeland security strategy that includes officials at all government levels. "The President understands what comes first for our country--our first responders," Ridge said.

He assured the mayors that the White House will work with states to make America's cities better overall by improving technology, making government more responsible and boosting the economy.

Mayors will be the "local commander in chiefs for the homeland battle of safety and security. ... A city has to be safe if it's going to prosper," said Conference of Mayors President and New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial.

The mayors' group estimates that U.S. cities will spend at least $2.6 billion on homeland security this year. Between last Sept. 11 and Dec. 31, those cities spent about $87.7 million on the efforts, with additional equipment accounting for about 31 percent of the funds and other money spent on protecting critical infrastructures.

According to a survey, initiatives that cost the most include upgrading surveillance equipment and improving communications systems between cities and other jurisdictions.