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The panel discussed
some of the new tensions that have arisen in the intergovernmental
system since September 11. While there is a general harmony
of interests in improving security, the new priorities, roles
and responsibilities of each level of government, and communication
and coordination challenges require significant changes.
I. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Federal role is critical in setting standards
(e.g., for communications equipment that is interoperable)
has strong support
B. The best way to distribute federal funds is controversial
- Local governments prefer that federal
funds be distributed to first responders in the most direct
way possible. They fear needless delays if the distribution
method requires state governments to sign off funds going
to communities (e.g., some state legislatures meet biannually
and are required by state law to approve any budgetary matter).
As Phoenix City Manager, Frank Fairbanks, put it, "get
out of the way and give us the money."
- State governments believe they are in
the best position to determine which communities can do
a good job and which ones may not use the funds wisely.
States do not want funds to go directly to local governments.
FEMA likes working with states as it can deal with just
50 entities, rather then all of the local governments that
would qualify for funds.
- If funds go through states, another issue
is that many metropolitan areas involve more than one state.
How will regional strategies by promoted? Can we learn from
other successful programs (e.g., ISTEA, TEA21)?
- Will funds be used more judiciously if
local governments are required to provide matching grants?
Some local governments that most need the funds may not
feel they can afford to provide a local match.
- Local governments are concerned about
funding reductions from state and federal governments due
to the economic downturn and shifting priorities. E.g.,
President Bush's proposed FY2003 budget included a 90% reduction
in LEAA grants; $9 billion less in TEA 21; and a squeeze
on CDBG, HOME, and DOL funds that flow to local governments.
[Congress continues to debate funding levels as well as
the possibility that the Office of Homeland Security be
made a Cabinet-level agency. The COPs program (community
oriented policing) had been targeted for cuts in the Administration's
budget, but has strong support in the Senate, noting that
less federal support for police in one program makes it
more difficult to strengthen security with training and
equipment in another program.]
II. Office of Homeland Security (OHS)
A. Should it become a Cabinet-level agency? Recent issues
that surfaced with the new Transportation Security Agency
might have been handled more deftly had they been "vetted"
by the OHS first.
B. Governor Ridge has begun to make public statements about
the difficulty the OHS has in addressing some critical security
concerns due to the lack of authority the office has.
C. OHS has advocated making FEMA the prime agency to deal
with the first responders. Justice has pressed for a greater
role.
III. Public Policy Issues
A. Individual rights versus security concerns
B. How much (and how often) should security threats be shared
with the public? How should the information be shared?
C. GIS at the local level is an excellent tool for local governments
and was a major asset in the NYC response to 9/11. The federal
government recognizes that local governments are innovators
in this area and want to learn from them. At the same time,
security could be threatened by the relatively easy access
that potential terrorists may have to details about local
assets and neighborhoods.
D. Is FEMA's all-hazards approach still valid?
E. Everything and everyone must be
better coordinated now: private sector, public sector, all
levels of government, including ports and other special governmental
operations.
- In the bioterrorism battle, a public
health nurse may be the first responder.
- Front-end planning is the only way to
deal with the broad range of issues that must be addressed
to keep the economy functioning.
- How do local governments work with multi-national
companies?
- The railroad industry has been slow to
share information about freight movement (esp. of hazardous
materials). That problem was one reason that the fire burned
so long in the train tunnel in Baltimore last summer.
F. Regional solutions
are required, yet our governmental structures and funding
strategies make it difficult to develop regional approaches.
Private companies think regionally - or nationally
- but seldom think about their local government jurisdiction.
G. Will the federal government usurp more authority from state
and local governments? Is a national police force in our future?
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