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Obama Proposes Significant AFG and PSOB Funding Cuts, Increase in SAFER
By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer
» Also Inside this Report: Administration Proposes Significant Cuts to FIRE Grant Program, SAFER Program Increases
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration wants to cut almost in half a benefits program for the families of slain police and safety officers.
Source: Congressional Fire Services Institute
On Thursday, May 7th, the White House released the appendix for the Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal, detailing requested funding levels for programs and offices in the federal budget. The Administration initially released a blueprint of the $3.6 trillion budget in February, giving a snapshot of the President's spending plan.
The Administration has proposed funding the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program at double the level it was funded in FY2009, increasing funding to $420 million for this crucial program. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) also receives a modest increase of approximately $600,000. The State Homeland Security Grant Program receives the same level of funding as FY2009 ($950 million) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) receives a $50 million increase.
Unfortunately the Administration proposes funding the popular FIRE grant program at only $170 million - a cut of nearly 70% from Fiscal Year 2009. The program, which received $3.2 billion in requests in Fiscal Year 2008, provides funding for critical equipment, training, and apparatus directly to local fire departments. The program also provides grants for fire prevention and safety programs and firefighter health and safety research.
While the Administration's budget proposal is meant to serve as a guideline for federal spending, Congress will ultimately determine funding levels for these programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun work on crafting Fiscal Year 2010 spending bills. CFSI has reached out to members of Congress regarding the budget proposal and will continue to provide updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
The Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal and Appendix can be obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The president's proposed budget calls for cutting the Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million.
The Justice Department insisted no one would lose benefits.
President Barack Obama speaks about the fiscal 2010 federal budget, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
"Any family member who is eligible for benefits under this program will receive them," said Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz.
Budget documents say the reduction is being made because "claims are anticipated to decrease," apparently because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
The proposal is being made just days before Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to attend ceremonies in Washington honoring slain officers.
"It makes us kind of nervous. While we aren't panicking, it certainly has increased our concern, coming a week before National Police Week," said Suzie Sawyer, executive director of Concerns of Police Survivors, a group taking part in next week's events.
Sawyer said as long as the number of police and safety officers killed doesn't increase too much, the amount of money offered in the budget could be enough. And she noted that in the past, the government has found more money for the program when it needed more, such as following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
The program pays benefits of more than $300,000 to the survivors of a safety officer killed in the line of duty.
There were 133 police officers killed in the line of duty last year, the lowest amount since 1960, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
The group said killings of police officers are up 21 percent so far in 2009, compared to the same period the year before.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writer
» Also Inside this Report: Administration Proposes Significant Cuts to FIRE Grant Program, SAFER Program Increases
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration wants to cut almost in half a benefits program for the families of slain police and safety officers.
Administration Releases Detailed Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal; Proposes Cutting Funds to FIRE Grant Program, Increasing SAFER
Source: Congressional Fire Services Institute
On Thursday, May 7th, the White House released the appendix for the Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal, detailing requested funding levels for programs and offices in the federal budget. The Administration initially released a blueprint of the $3.6 trillion budget in February, giving a snapshot of the President's spending plan.
The Administration has proposed funding the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program at double the level it was funded in FY2009, increasing funding to $420 million for this crucial program. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) also receives a modest increase of approximately $600,000. The State Homeland Security Grant Program receives the same level of funding as FY2009 ($950 million) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) receives a $50 million increase.
Unfortunately the Administration proposes funding the popular FIRE grant program at only $170 million - a cut of nearly 70% from Fiscal Year 2009. The program, which received $3.2 billion in requests in Fiscal Year 2008, provides funding for critical equipment, training, and apparatus directly to local fire departments. The program also provides grants for fire prevention and safety programs and firefighter health and safety research.
While the Administration's budget proposal is meant to serve as a guideline for federal spending, Congress will ultimately determine funding levels for these programs. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have begun work on crafting Fiscal Year 2010 spending bills. CFSI has reached out to members of Congress regarding the budget proposal and will continue to provide updates as the appropriations process moves forward.
The Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Proposal and Appendix can be obtained from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The president's proposed budget calls for cutting the Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million.
The Justice Department insisted no one would lose benefits.
President Barack Obama speaks about the fiscal 2010 federal budget, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Budget documents say the reduction is being made because "claims are anticipated to decrease," apparently because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
The proposal is being made just days before Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to attend ceremonies in Washington honoring slain officers.
"It makes us kind of nervous. While we aren't panicking, it certainly has increased our concern, coming a week before National Police Week," said Suzie Sawyer, executive director of Concerns of Police Survivors, a group taking part in next week's events.
Sawyer said as long as the number of police and safety officers killed doesn't increase too much, the amount of money offered in the budget could be enough. And she noted that in the past, the government has found more money for the program when it needed more, such as following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
The program pays benefits of more than $300,000 to the survivors of a safety officer killed in the line of duty.
There were 133 police officers killed in the line of duty last year, the lowest amount since 1960, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
The group said killings of police officers are up 21 percent so far in 2009, compared to the same period the year before.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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I don't know where you would go to find out how many hired under SAFER are still on the job.
But, I can tell you that in: 2006 there were 1727 apps for $734,432,057, 2007 there were 1503 apps for $706,965,384 and in 2008, there were 1314 apps for $583,953,578. Note the pattern.
You can go here if you like statistics. http://www.firegrantsupport.com/safer/statistics.aspx
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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on
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I have to agree with you Mike, but some of us live in small cities that are
concidered poor. It is hard to fund raise in a poor city, or village.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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I don't disagree with you at all, but solutions should be solved locally, then regionally, then by the state. Most poorer communities can't afford the grants because of matching requirements anyway, and I realize that most municipalities have very tight budgets as it is...ingenuity is required and prioritizing across all departments. Our department is feeling it too, as business leaves our community, its only going to get worse so we should start taking action now.
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My position on the FIRE Act grant is well documented. In fact, my opinion on the program cost me a writing gig at another website some years ago.
But here it is: I believe that funding fire departments should be a LOCAL issue; between you, your fire department, your community and the STATE you reside in. It should NOT rise to the FEDERAL level.
That said; the FIRE Act is funded with OUR TAX MONEY, so I want my share to be returned to MY community.
In other words; if the feds are going to waste my tax money on programs leading to nowhere, then I want some back from them.
Does that seem logical and fair?
I thought so. :-)
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by frank barresi on
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I respect your view Art but the STATE? LOCAL? Are you kidding? Here in Taxachusettes even on the rare occasions when the STATE has ponied up by the time it gets down to the Local level after all the payback and cronies are taken care of we get crumbs! The STATE had a wildfire grant program once not long ago that was mandated to be distributed evenly by population. Do you want to know what those of us in the 10,001 to 15,000 bracket got? $300 or one 100' shot of 1" forestry hose. Locally, 68.5 cents of every tax dollar goes to the school system. I have kids in that school system but there fiscal prowess has never been that great nor have they ever allowed themselves to be audited.
I have seen several departments in this area benefit greatly from this program. (we replaced our 15 year old SCBA 3 years ago with a grant)
I have no problem with my federal tax dolars going to my brothers and sisters in Calofornia as long as someone is getting the PPE or lifesaving equipment they need. Sadly Art you are correct in saying there has been a ton of waste and abuse in this program But I guess something is better than nothing. I don't think because the Feds mis-manage things we should throw this program out wholesale. I guess they still haven't learned from the $400 hammers the Pentagon used to buy!
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Frank:
Sorry to hear about your predicament.
Our state legislature has been very active for public safety. Many state programs along with the funding has evolved in the past ten years. The head of the Illinois Fire Service Committee is from my district. We are good friends. He listens; then acts. He has sponsored or co-sponsored many of the state laws that are now on the books.
Yeah; waste is such a waste.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Dillon on
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Why don't they cut down on some of those politician's salaries instead?
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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What many people don't know, is unless Congress would actually vote against a pay raise, they don't have to vote for it in order to receive it. The way the law is written, members may abstain from voting and the measure passes automatically. Then the politicians can go back and tell their constituents, "I did not vote for this raise, (one of the few times they don't lie).
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Permalink Reply by TNeville on
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Here is a budget summary for the Bush 2009 budget. 2007 expenses were $72 million. Bush's 2008 proposed budget was $66 million and his 2009 proposed budget was $49 million.
http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/2009summary/html/150_ojp_psob.htm
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Permalink Reply by Trainer on
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I think several here are missing the point, well mine anyways. I agree that the budget needs cut that’s kind of a no-brainer and know this was done by the previous administration, but to cut a very popular program and in turn increase one that has had turndowns and declining enrollment is well just plain stupid. I got more on this but have to go to work.
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The difference is budget cuts to emergency services KILLS! When response time is doubled because of a closed or understaffed station- to me thats stupid. Cut out pork spending, Has congress, senate or washington officials taken pay cuts? How about the $350,000 spent on flying airforce one over new york with fighter escort. I agree there needs to be cuts -but not emergency services.
I am retired- my son is on the job in gwinnett county ga. We both do it because we love it, your right money is second- but when you can't recruit because of low pay, when you can't keep stations open because of budget cuts, when you can't replace old equipment or buy the latest technology ,which may save a life because the money went to Bank of america and Chysler--- that is stupid!
Try explaining budget cuts to a mother whose child died waiting for an ambulance, while a closed fire station was right down the block.
So, my brother, you should feel stupid- or at least embarassed .
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So, we call mushroom-hunting "work", do we?
FIRE Act has been cut every year since its inception.
My problem is increasing SAFER with no guarantees that those hired under SAFER will have jobs after the grants to those departments are used.
TCSS.
Art
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