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''Homeland Security'' Request to Get Hearings
Administration Asked to Justify $100 Million Spending Proposal

(JUNEAU) - The House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs will hold hearings tomorrow and Wednesday on a Knowles Administration request to spend almost $100 million in the name of "homeland security."

The hearings will provide legislators the opportunity to learn the as-yet unknown details underlying the governor's effort to use fear of terrorism to justify a significant expansion in state spending, said Rep. Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski), committee chairman. The hearings will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the House Finance Committee chambers, and will be carried state-wide via legislative teleconference.

"The Alaska Legislature shares the governor's concern for protecting Alaskans, but we have a responsibility to ensure that requests for special expenditures are justified by realistic threats," Chenault said. "These hearings will give the entire state the opportunity to fully examine the threat of terrorism in Alaska, and to debate the most cost-effective way to address that risk."

Drawing on a report from his self-appointed Terrorism Disaster Policy Cabinet, the governor has asked for additional spending for a broad range of state services. At the committee hearings, Maj. Gen. Phillip Oates, Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will make a presentation based on that report and answer members' questions.

While praising some ideas, such as expanding statewide emergency radio systems or upgrading pipeline security, others need a closer look, Chenault said. These include a new $13 million food safety lab, $1.9 million for "war insurance," $3.5 million for portable bridges, and $6.8 million to bomb-proof airports.

"At first blush, the governor seems to be using terrorism as an excuse for bigger government, but I'll be glad to learn more about how the spending relates to any real threat of attack," Chenault said. "Frankly, I'm more concerned with protecting oil production and processing infrastructure on the Kenai Peninsula, North Slope and Valdez than I am with putting bomb-shields at outlying airports that may not be at risk."

Chenault also questioned the source of funds, noting that the amount of federal money now available for state anti-terrorism efforts is less than half of what the governor had hoped for. He also noted that the committee was researching how other states are planning to fund their homeland security programs.

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