Aids Communications
Feds to Fund City Emergency System

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

U.S. Homeland Security officials who control the disbursal of anti-terrorism grants have promised not to stick New York with the bill for a billion-dollar wireless communication system built after Sept. 11, even as Congress considers legislation that could result in less anti-terrorism funding overall for the city.

JOSEPH LIEBERMAN: Denies bill is pork-laden.

In a letter released Feb. 14, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez promised Mayor Bloomberg the city wouldn't be excluded from a Congressional grant program set up to help communities improve emergency communications, even though New York doesn't meet all the specifications.

City System Unique

The Mayor traveled to Washington, D.C. last month after learning that the grant program stipulates funds are to be used only for 700 megahertz communication systems.

New York has already invested nearly $1 billion for a 400 megahertz system that officials say is better equipped to handle the city's dense urban environment.

"For Congress to move forward on their plan without making sure New York City is part of it is just the height of foolishness," Mayor Bloomberg said during a visit to Capitol Hill in January.

The letter from Secretary Gutierrez reassured the Mayor that Homeland Security doesn't "view this language to limit the grant funds only to 700-MHz system investments." He promised to be flexible in interpreting the grant program rules so as to be favorable to the city.

City Could Lose Aid

But even as Homeland Security officials were issuing those assurances, a Senate committee last week was preparing to debate a bill that would send a larger portion of Federal funding away from New York to rural states not considered high on the list of possible terrorist targets.

Written by Sens. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, and Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, the bill would increase the number of cities eligible for high-risk status from 46 to 100.

Senator Lieberman has said the bill is a "compromise" that would pump more Federal money into anti-terrorism grants while spreading the cash around the country more broadly.

In contrast, the House last month passed legislation in line with recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which said anti-terror money should be directed to communities with the highest risk of attack.

A mayoral spokesman told Newsday that city officials were encouraged by the Commerce Department's letter, but remained as opposed as ever to Congressional lawmakers "spreading around Homeland Security funds like political pork."

The Senate bill also dropped several provisions that were included in the House version, including the screening of all cargo containers on ships and airplanes headed to the U.S. from foreign docks and airports. A Congressional conference committee would have to reconcile both bills before they can become law.