State would get $6 million more in security plan

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Nevada would receive an additional $6 million for homeland security measures because of its tourist population, under a plan approved by the Senate Tuesday.

The Senate approved a provision by Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., that would change security funding formulas to give extra weight to areas with large tourist populations.

Nevada lawmakers have complained about shortfalls in the state's security funding, saying formulas need to consider unique aspects of cities with high visitor rates. The state may have a lower general population the others, but state officials argue that the high number of tourists coming in every day needs to be recognized as security money is doled out.

The Senate included the provision in an amendment added to the Homeland Security bill on Tuesday. The Senate may pass the final bill by the end of the week.

The House already included a similar provision in the Faster and Smarter Funding For First Responders Act, according to the office of Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.

Nevada received $28 million in fiscal year 2005 from the Homeland Security Department for emergency planning and equipment, a decrease from roughly $36 million in 2004.

If finalized, the new formula would mean an additional $6 million for the state bringing the total to $32 million in Homeland Security money for fiscal year 2006.

The bill still needs to pass the Senate and the provision would have to make it through final negotiations between the House and the Senate before becoming law.04