Cities lobby Washington for homeland security funding

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 | 10:59 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald joined 3,000 city officials from across the nation this week asking Congress for homeland security money.

"We're working the halls to ensure that federal dollars make it down to the local level," Boggs McDonald said today as she shuttled between meetings with Nevada lawmakers. "When you call 911, it's the fire departments and the police departments that are our first line of homeland security."

McDonald joined officials from nine Nevada cities and towns, including Henderson and North Las Vegas, as part of a throng gathered here this week for the annual legislative conference of the National League of Cities. Today is the league's City Lobby Day.

City officials brought a list of concerns to lawmakers, but foremost on their minds are the economy and funding for homeland security.

A league survey found three of every four cities report their fiscal problems have worsened in the past year, making it harder for cities to make improvements in first-responder planning and equipment.

Many city leaders are dismayed that the budget for the current fiscal year contains only $1.3 billion of the $3.5 billion that President Bush promised for state and local emergency workers.

"Is it enough money? That depends on how safe they want our cities to be." National League of Cities president, New Haven, Conn., Mayor John DeStefano, said.

Las Vegas has spent about $3 million or $4 million to connect its fire department to a new regional communications system, said Las Vegas Deputy Manager Betsy Fretwell, who is lobbying with McDonald this week. But the city needs another $6 million or so to connect other agencies, such as the city Public Works Department, so that all emergency response officials can talk to each other in a crisis, Fretwell said. The city also is asking for about $1.3 million in federal money to begin planning for a new $13 million emergency preparedness center.

Congress often makes money available through grants that must be applied for, but sometimes lawmakers earmark money for specific projects.