 Knowles Urges Legislature To Address Critical Homeland Security Budget Submits Alaska Bioterrorism Prep and Response Plan for Federal Funding April 12, 2002
"Like every other state in America, Alaska must answer the President's call to be prepared to respond if we become the target of a bioterrorist attack," Knowles said. "A strong public health system is an essential component of our defense. With just a few weeks remaining in this year's session, I hope the Legislature will finally focus on funding other important homeland security measures." Knowles welcomed $927,000 in state funding approved in the "fast track supplemental" bill by the House Thursday to reimburse state agencies for emergency expenses incurred in the days and weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Governor thanked the House for its quick bipartisan action, led by House Finance Co-Chair Eldon Mulder, R-Anchorage. The Governor originally requested $1.3 million for agency expenses, such as airport security measures, delivery of emergency blood supplies, and stationing State Defense Force members at the Yukon River bridge in response to White House warnings to protect the pipeline from possible attack. The House did not reimburse the Department of Public Safety for its costs of operating the Yukon River checkpoint, $288,000; or the $109,000 spent by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to check cargoes of trucks driving north along the pipeline and to improve airport security at the pipeline terminus city of Valdez. House leaders have pledged to consider this funding in future supplemental bills. Knowles and Major General Phil Oates, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, remain concerned about lack of legislative progress on funding the bulk of the administration's Homeland Security package. In December, the Governor proposed an 18-month Homeland Security initiative to improve security for all Alaskans and to prepare the state for a terrorism attack if it comes. This initiative has the added benefit of improving Alaska's ability to deal with other natural disasters Alaskans face, such as fires and earthquakes. The proposal expands Alaska's public safety system, emphasizing emergency response and security of communications, transportation and public utilities, with new troopers and Village Public Safety Officers, specialized urban firefighters, and increased airport inspections. The proposal also expands capability to deploy medical professionals, medicines and equipment in case of an attack or disaster; better training and equipment for those who will be called on for first response in a contaminated environment; and secure essential communications systems throughout the state. The administration has also proposed six bills to provide for Alaska's security needs and to strengthen laws dealing with acts of terrorism. The measures also include provisions that will better prepare the state to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. Other than House approval of the reimbursements - which still must pass the Senate - the Legislature has largely ignored the Homeland Security budget. In an apparent attempt to kill Homeland Security funding, Rep. Mike Chenault has refused to let the House version of the bill, HB 324, out of his Military and Veteran's Affairs Committee, the first of three House committee referrals. The Senate version of the bill, SB 236, passed out of the State Affairs Committee two months ago but has yet to receive a hearing before the Finance Committee. "Continued inaction on these vital homeland security issues already shows that some lawmakers are willing to take much more risk than I think acceptable," Oates said. "If the Legislature continues to ignore this concern, I only hope that the next major terrorist attack doesn't happen here in Alaska." The federal government has designated bioterrorism funds for strengthening the state public health infrastructure to ensure that states are ready to respond in the event of a bioterrorist attack, such as the anthrax events experienced on the east coast last year. This funding is primarily for the public health system, but some dollars are targeted at assisting hospitals across the state to increase their response capacity in the event of a terrorist attack. "Improving the public health infrastructure provides immediate benefits to all Alaskans," said Karen Pearson, director of Public Health at the Department of Health and Social Services. "By improving our ability to detect and respond rapidly to disease outbreaks, communicate critical data in emergency situations, and provide rapid and effective laboratory service, we ensure our state's readiness for any type of public health emergency, including bioterrorism." According to the news release, twenty percent of the federal funding requested is already available. The balance of the $6.9 million should be available 30 days after the state's application is approved. For more information contact:
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