(JUNEAU) - The Legislative Budget & Audit (LB&A) Committee Chairman, Representative Ralph Samuels (R-Anchorage), has requested information from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) concerning the use of Homeland Security funds to obtain a faster aircraft for the two departments.

Representative Samuels believes that it is important that the legislature have a guarantee that the interest of homeland security is being served by the federal funds appropriated for that purpose. "I want to take the politics out of it and just make sure we are spending money on what will give us the best assurance of public safety," said Representative Samuels.

The LB&A Committee, comprised of both Senate and House members, routinely authorizes audits of state agencies. As Chairman, Representative Samuels determines which audits will be placed on the agenda, to be voted on by the committee. To expedite the issue of the new plane purchase, Representative Samuels has sent a letter to the departments, rather than wait for a full audit.

Representative Samuels requested specific information of the departments in order to ensure that the funds are being spent in the most efficient and effective way possible. The safety and security of Alaska is one of the legislature's highest priorities.

A copy of the letter is available through Representative Samuels' office.

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