By Alex Davidson
A rift may have opened in the relationship between Republicans Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. George Pataki after the two decided not to schedule a meeting to address how they will disperse millions of dollars in federal homeland security funds.
New York City was given nearly $25 million out of $100 million in federal monies Tuesday designated for urban areas at high risk of terrorist attack.
The debate on whether a portion of an additional $100 million in homeland security funds should be directed through the state or given directly to specific cities brought the two elected officials close to their first public feud as each scrambled for the lion’s share of the money.
But the pair issued a joint statement Monday that seemed to address public perception of a growing conflict between the two and outlined an agreement on how any funds would be divided among state and city agencies.
“We are partners, city and state, and we will work as partners to ensure that New York receives the funds needed to meet our special security needs,” the mayor and governor said in the statement. “The city of New York and the state of New York are taking extraordinary steps to keep the people of New York City safe and both governments are entitled to consideration for the significant costs being incurred during this heightened state of alert.”
New York elected officials have lobbied federal legislators for more money after President Bush last month only earmarked $26.5 million for New York state’s homeland security costs. Under that plan, New York would have received $1.40 per resident, well below the national average of $3.29 per resident in other states.
Bloomberg and Pataki said they hope their deal will increase the likelihood that both the city and state will get fully reimbursed for their high security costs. The pair is proposing that the state get reimbursed for a portion of its security expenses and that any federal monies must first go to the city — a transaction that would favor New York City and Bloomberg.
The statement followed a separate one issued by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who urged New York legislators to unite as a powerful force in the fight for the city and state to get additional homeland security funds.
The House Appropriations Committee voted last week to provide $700 million in additional funding to state and city agencies that are spending a large portion of their budgets implementing homeland security ventures, such as adding street police officers and patrolling high-risk buildings and tourist attractions. Any bill would require House and Senate approval.
The split between the two politicians became evident after Bloomberg criticized attempts by Pataki and other state officials to take control of federal homeland security funds. Bloomberg said the city should determine how and where the funds are used because it is a prime terrorist target and employs more police officers than the entire legion of state troopers.
Pataki countered Bloombergs’ comments when he told reporters Friday that he thought Bloomberg was creating a conflict over the homeland security funds to put additional pressure on state legislators to reinstate the commuter tax.
Both Bloomberg and Pataki are facing monumental budget deficits for fiscal 2003 and 2004. The city’s current budget gap is estimated at $3.3 billion, which now includes additional revenues from the 18.5 percent property tax increase.
The state is facing an estimated $11.5 billion budget gap and Pataki has proposed cutting funding for education and health care programs to make up for the deficit.
Reach reporter Alex Davidson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156
