Senator Murray Announces $45 Million in Funding to Meet Local Homeland Security Needs

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) today announced that Washington state will receive more than $45 million to enhance the ability of local governments to prepare for and respond to terrorist threats.

Nearly $12 million of the funding will be directed to the greater Seattle Metropolitan Area under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Domestic Preparedness. More than $33 million of the funds will be provided to the state under the Homeland Security Grant program.

“With ever tightening state and local budgets, I’m pleased we were able to provide this funding to help our first responders and emergency managers keep our communities safe,” Senator Murray said. “Keeping the homeland safe is our top priority in Congress, and these millions will help our local officials meet that most important goal.”

Senator Murray has been the state’s most effective leader in securing federal resources for homeland security. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and a member of the panel’s Homeland Security Subcommittee, Murray supported these funds in the fiscal year 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which was signed into law on October 18, 2004.

Seattle is eligible for UASI grant funding as one of the top 50 metropolitan areas in the United States. Seattle’s ranking is based on population, critical infrastructure and threat/vulnerability assessment. Seattle/King County metropolitan region has been awarded a total of $58 under the UASI program.

Washington State has now received more than $130 million in Homeland Security Grant funding to enhance the capability of state and local agencies to prevent and respond to incidents of terrorism. The grant funding provides funding for specialized equipment, exercises, training, and planning costs associated with updating and implementing the State’s Homeland Security Strategy. The money will distributed by the Washington State Government to local communities and entities to meet their homeland security priorities.