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For immediate release: June 6, 2007 Contact: Shawn Karrick
NASCIO State Member Alert: House Appropriations Approves Bill Providing $550M for State Homeland Security Grants Program
(Lexington, KY) - The House Appropriations Committee last night approved the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The draft measure would provide a total of $36.3 billion in discretionary spending—$2.1 billion, or 6 percent, more than President Bush requested and $2.5 billion more than in FY 2007 (PL 109-295).
Of direct interest to NASCIO, the bill would provide a total of $550 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program—$300 million above the President’s request and $25 million more than was provided in the FY2007 bill. State Homeland Security Grant Program funds are available to all States for purposes of training, procuring equipment, planning, and conducting exercises, based on each State’s approved, updated homeland security strategy. Such strategies can include the development or enhancement of cybersecurity plans, the development or enhancement of cyber risk mitigation plans, and the administration of cyber risk and vulnerability assessments, and thus, are of value to the State CIO.
As you will remember, State Homeland Security Grant Program funding was NASCIO’s tier I federal affairs issue this year and during the annual Fly-In, the CIOs participated in meetings focused on presenting a request for a restoration of Homeland Security Grant Program funding to the FY2007 enacted level of $525 million. The House Appropriation Committee’s provision of $550 million—$25 million above NASCIO’s request— demonstrates a growing recognition among lawmakers of the important role states play in preparing for, preventing, deterring, and responding to threats. NASCIO’s advocacy on this issue during the annual Fly-In was instrumental in helping to form such recognition, as well as broaden lawmakers’ views on realistic funding applications, particularly in the area of state cyber security.
The Homeland Security Appropriations bill is expected to hit the House floor the week of June 11th. On the Senate side, Homeland Security Appropriations Chairman Robert Byrd (D-WV) has announced that the subcommittee will mark up its proposed FY2008 bill on June 12th, 2007 with the full committee following suit on June 14th.
For more information, contact Doug Robinson at (859) 514-9153 or drobinson@amrms.com.
NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and an effective advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers from the 50 states, six U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. State members are senior officials from any of the three branches of state government who have executive-level and statewide responsibility for information resource management. Other state officials, along with representatives from federal, municipal, and international governments participate in the organization as associate members. Private-sector firms and non-profit organizations may join as corporate members.
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AMR Management Services provides NASCIO's executive staff. For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com/.
