Federal officials work to get money to states

By Frank Oliveri
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Federal homeland security officials are working to apply a one-size-fits-all anti-terrorism strategy for the states and territories.

As part of that effort, the Homeland Security Department's domestic preparedness office created a task force this week to find the best ways to send money to state and local governments.

"Some states are getting funding locally where it is needed and others are experiencing difficulties," said Suzanne Mencer, director of the domestic preparedness office.

The task force will have 60 days to come up with recommendations. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who serves on the Homeland Security Advisory Council to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, will chair the task force.

Mencer said creation of the task force isn't necessarily an indication things aren't working well.

"We have 50 states and five territories. We want to make sure everyone has the benefit of best practices," she said.

She said efforts also are under way to simplify the grant process for local governments.

"This is a huge amount of money coming into the states," she said. "This is a huge task we have imposed on the states — to turn this money around as quickly as possible. There is now $7 billion to $8 billion for state and localities to draw down."