> From: Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (GOV)
> Sent:Thursday, January 29, 2004 11:13 AM
> Subject:Governor Romney's Budget Pumps Up Anti-Terrorism Funding
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
>
> January 29, 2004
> Shawn Feddeman
>
>
> Nicole St. Peter
>
>
> (617) 725-4025
>
> ROMNEY’S BUDGET PUMPS UP ANTI-TERRORISM FUNDING
>
> More money in Governor’s budget to protect homeland, add new State
> Police classes
>
> Saying he wants to improve homeland security, Governor Mitt
> Romney today announced he is increasing the number of troopers
> assigned to the State Police Anti-Terrorism Unit in order to enhance
> intelligence gathering.
>
>
>
> “A key part of our homeland security efforts rests on the
> state’s ability to collect and analyze information on potential
> threats,” said Romney. “By putting more money into intelligence
> gathering, we’ll give the State Police the tools they need to be more
> effective.”
>
> Romney’s Fiscal Year 2005 budget more than triples the amount of money
> spent on the State Police Anti-Terrorism Unit, from $850,000 to $2.7
> million, which will allow for an additional 12 assigned troopers in
> the unit. This money will be combined with $5 million from federal
> homeland security funding to create a vastly improved statewide
> information-gathering system.
>
> The system, which will remain within the existing State Police
> intelligence division, will also include 15 new civilian research
> analysts specially trained to collect, analyze and disseminate
> critical intelligence obtained from every level of government.
>
>
In addition, Romney’s budget includes funding for two new
> State Police recruit classes, one graduating in November 2004 and a
> second graduating in the summer of 2005. As a result, 300 new
> troopers will join the force, allowing the State Police to keep pace
> with projected retirements.
>
> “We are very appreciative of the Governor’s commitment to public
> safety during these difficult economic times,” said Public Safety
> Secretary Ed Flynn. “Troop strength is a critical component of our
> homeland security strategic plan.”
>
> Romney said the increase in counterterrorism funding will allow the
> Commonwealth to more closely coordinate with local authorities to
> identify homeland security threats.
>
> Major Robert Smith, Commander of the State Police Anti-Terrorism Unit,
> praised the Governor’s initiative.
>
> “This new, post-9/11 era has emphasized that the need to share
> information and intelligence on a statewide, and often national level,
> is increasingly critical,” said Smith.
>
>
>
>
> ###
>
> <<1-29-04 EOPS budget release.doc>>
