DHS Announces Homeland Security Funding Task Force

March 15, 2004 -- Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge today announced a Homeland Security Funding Task Force composed of state, county, city, and tribal representatives to examine the funding process and ensure that Department of Homeland Security funds move quickly to local first responders. The Task Force will identify state and local funding solutions that work effectively and can be extended to situations where there are impediments to the efficient and effective distribution of state and local homeland security funds.

The Task Force is composed of governors, mayors, county officials, tribal leaders and other senior officials with first-hand experience in homeland security issues and will operate under the aegis of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and its State and Local Officials and Emergency Response Senior Advisory Committees. Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney has been elected Chair of the Task Force, and Akron, Ohio Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic will serve as Vice Chair. Secretary Ridge expects to receive recommendations from the Task Force members and the HSAC within the next two months on how to expedite the money distribution process.