Friday, December 06, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

PROTECTING THE HOMELAND: Security costs onerous

Western governors discuss efforts at keeping their citizens safe

Terrorism places additional financial burdens on already strapped states, and programs will have to be cut to pay homeland security costs, two Republican governors attending the Western Governors' Association conference in Las Vegas said Thursday.

Montana Gov. Judy Martz and Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns said there is an upside. Many of the efforts designed to improve homeland security can be used for other regional problems, they said.

Improved communication between local and state officials helps when it comes to fighting fires and floods, as well as an act of terrorism.

"We used our tobacco settlement money to build a statewide public health infrastructure," Johanns said. "You will see the results of that research whether you're talking bioterrorism or mental health issues. The investment you make here will have far-reaching effects just beyond terrorism."

Martz, chair of the governors' association, said despite federal aid, the demands of homeland security "definitely means cutting programs."

Governors from seven Western states meet for two days in conjunction with the U.S. Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office, a federal agency formed to coordinate infrastructure initiatives.

Officials from likely terrorist targets, such as railroads, gas and power companies, spoke of the need to improve communication between the private and public sector, avoid turf wars and practice preparing for the worst. Government officials raised the same concerns.

U.S. Department of Commerce Undersecretary Kenneth Juster told a crowd of 200 at Caesars Palace, that as the country gets better at protecting its infrastructure, softer targets become more likely, such as retail, entertainment and tourism.

Utility Executive Terry Winter, chief of the California Independent System Operator, said "the most dangerous thing that can happen to us it to think we are prepared." But he said power industries are accustomed to dealing with crises. Lessons learned from the California blackouts were invaluable.

Time and again, speakers returned to concerns about communication, information sharing and costs.

Nevada's Homeland Security Advisor Jerry Bussell said coordination and communication efforts emphasized by the speakers are in place. Nevada officials attend meetings with California and Arizona to talk about security issues.

"I think Nevada is way ahead," said Bussell, appointed in November as Gov. Kenny Guinn's homeland security advisor. Because the gaming industry has always focused on security issues to protect the money, Bussell said, "Nevada is one of the safest states, Las Vegas is one of the safest cities. We've been in the security business for a long time; that's part of doing business in Nevada."

Private industry officials said they didn't want to share proprietary information with governments if that information would then would be available to their competitors through the Freedom of Information Act.

Frank Ianna, president of AT&T Network Services, said his company invested $300 million over the last decade to make sure the phones work during disasters including hurricanes, tornados, floods and terrorist acts. Ianna said he doesn't want details released because of freedom of information laws.

Mary Poss, a member of the Dallas City Council who chairs the National League of Cities Homeland Security Taskforce, said Dallas has spent $6 million on homeland security in the past year. She detailed a list of a dozen practical things every community needs to address, warning that any community must "be prepared to operate alone for up to 48 hours."