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June 7, 2004

Asks State Legislature to Support Gov. McGreevey's Proposal to Cover Federal Gap

The Township Council unanimously approved a resolution expressing support for Gov. James McGreevey's $32 million Hometown Security Initiative.

The initiative asks the State Legislature to fill some of the projected gap in funds provided by the Department of Homeland Security to municipalities impacted by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The township resolution urges the Legislature to pass the initiative and include the funding in the state's FY 2005 budget.

"Security comes with a cost," says Woodbridge Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. "America's cities and towns have spent billions of dollars to implement new homeland security measures to make sure our infrastructure, transportation network, schools and communities remain safe and secure. We urge the state legislature to adopt Gov. McGreevey's funding request so we can maintain the necessary level of security across the state."

According to the Governor's office, the funding gap stems from a flawed allocation formula used by the Department of Homeland Security. The current formula in the proposed federal Homeland Security Bill would distribute more money per capita to Wyoming ($9.78) than to New Jersey, which would receive only $1.69 per capita in federal homeland security funds, even though it is the most densely populated state in the nation with a vast number of potential terrorist targets.

"We are very vulnerable here in New Jersey with our concentration of industry, railroads, shoreline and proximity to New York City and Philadelphia," says Woodbridge Council President Rick Dalina, who sponsored the resolution. "While we are very appreciative of the federal funding that has come to us so far, the Bush Administration's budget proposal for FY 2005 actually cuts funding from the Office of Domestic Preparedness' First Responder Program by 18 percent, dropping New Jersey's share by $11 million. These are critical funds for first responders called in to save lives in the event of an emergency."

Since becoming Governor in 2002, the McGreevey administration has provided nearly $248 million in State funds for homeland security, with the amount increasing each year. "This resolution demonstrates our commitment to support the Governor in obtaining the security funding New Jersey needs," says Mayor Pelzman.