By Ron Thaniel and Ed Somers
March 19, 2007

The U.S. Senate approved S. 4, the Improving America’s Security Act of 2007, by a vote of 60-38 March 13.

The bill, which is intended to enact several recommendations of the September 11 Commission, among other provisions, contains a number of key Conference of Mayors homeland security recommendations, as outlined in the Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America 10-Point Plan.

In particular, S. 4 would authorize $3.3 billion over five years to help make first-responder communications systems interoperable and authorize more than $4 billion for rail and mass transit security. The 10-Point Plan, released during the Conference’s 75th Winter Meeting, called on Congress to create a well-funded, stand-alone, federal emergency communications grant program to carry out initiative to improve interoperable communications.

On bus and rail security, the 10-Point Plan called Congress to create a flexible federal transit security initiative to improve security in the areas of communications, surveillance, detection systems, personnel and training. Furthermore, the mayors said, “As we have done with aviation, securing public transit is a federal responsibility and should not require a local or state match.”

Of note, testifying before the January 18 meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Conference of Mayors Trustee Stamford Mayor Dannel P. Malloy urged the 110th Congress to act decisively and safeguard America’s bus, rail, and ferry systems.

The Senate bill would also make changes to how first responder grants are allocated. It would lower the per'state minimum for first responder block grants from 0.75 percent under current law to 0.45 percent. It would also codify a guarantee of 0.75 percent for each state for emergency management grants, and merge the law enforcement grant program into both the state block grant and urban area grant programs – with a guarantee of no less than 25 percent of the funding being used for terrorism prevention.

The Senate defeated a number of amendments that sought to lower these state minimums.

Under the Senate bill, a total of $3.1 billion is authorized in each of the next three years for state and local first responder programs.

The Senate approach is different than the House bill (H.R. 1) that would lower the per'state allocation for three first responder programs to 0.25 percent – or 0.45 percent for border states - with the remainder allocated on risk. Also, the House bill does not provide a specific authorization level.

The issue of state minimums and authorization levels will be a major issue for debate during the House-Senate Conference Committee on the two bills.

Also, President Bush has threatened a veto the bill over a provision to expand the labor rights of 45,000 airport screeners.