Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Contact: Terri Durdaller, (573)751-1274
Blunt Calls for Better Management of Homeland Security Funds
State is not spending Federal Dollars Effectively; Unnecessary Projects were Considered by Previous Administration
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced today that he has directed all state agencies to provide him with a comprehensive analysis regarding federal homeland security funds that they have received and how those funds are being spent.
Out of approximately $125 million Missouri received from the federal government in homeland security grants in 2003 and 2004, only $20 million has been spent. Federal law requires states to pass through or obligate 80 percent of the homeland security funds they receive to local governments within 45 days of the award.
"It is disturbing to know that funds our first responders and law enforcement agencies need for training, equipment and anti-terrorism planning efforts have not been spent for the last two years," Blunt said. "We need to end these unacceptable delays and expedite the delivery of these funds to those charged with protecting Missouri families."
Blunt has asked for a report from every executive department that includes:
- A detailed analysis of what federal homeland security funds they have received and how it was spent
- A list of grant requests that have been made for federal homeland security funds
- A plan that outlines how each department might benefit from homeland security grant money to better prepare for and protect the public in the event of a terrorist attack
- A list of any private company or any local government agency they have partnered with to petition for federal homeland security grant funding
In December, the Associated Press reported that former Missouri Homeland Security Director Tim Daniel had encouraged the state to purchase a web portal from a company he went to work for after resigning his state position. Daniel played a key role in helping guide the company, Convergence Communications, through the state bidding process.
The contract for the system, which was found to be duplicative of other emergency notifications systems already in place, was rescinded. Blunt expressed his concerns about Daniel's relationship with the company and the systems $300,000 price tag.
Prior to taking office, Blunt proposed moving the state office of Homeland Security into the Department of Public Safety in order to streamline the operations of offices involved in protecting Missourians and to maximize both state and federal resources.