NACo: Public health, funding are key

America is at war. Internationally, our country is fighting to stop terrorism and find the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks. At home, the war is focused on making our homeland secure. County governments have been drafted into the battle. We accept the role willingly because county public safety, emergency management and public health workers always have been on the front lines in the fight to protect the people of America and to safeguard our communities.

County workers play key roles, whether in natural disasters or terrorist attacks; they are responsible for extinguishing fires, enforcing the law, caring for the injured, organizing evacuations, establishing quarantine areas and informing the public.

The critical job facing counties now is to prepare, prevent and minimize. They must prepare emergency response plans, work with other levels of government to prevent future attacks and develop methods for minimizing the effects of new attacks.

President Bush has said that the battle will be long and difficult. Realizing that, the National Association of Counties and its Homeland Security Task Force have developed a six-point plan for securing our homeland. The plan requires cooperation among all levels of government, the involvement of all Americans, and strong, specific action by President Bush and Congress.

• Establish a Homeland Security Tax Credit.

  Such a credit would allow companies to make contributions beyond the generosity they exhibited in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11. The federal tax credit would allow a company to make a donation to its community. The company could, for example, donate $2,000 directly toward building the security infrastructure within its county. The donation could be used to purchase fire trucks or police cars, communications equipment for first responders, or high-tech security for water or power facilities. The company then could claim a $2,000 tax credit, which would stimulate the economy and provide benefits to both the community and the company.

• Rebuild the public health system.

  No one disputes that the nation’s public health system needs to be improved. There are 3,000 public health departments in the country, and nearly all are understaffed and under-funded. Estimates suggest that, nationwide, 15,000 more public health workers are needed.

  Congress recently appropriated $865 million for state and local health departments. That is an excellent first step, but the president and Congress must make a long-term commitment to improving the system.

  The system critically needs funding to train medical and administrative staffs, and to upgrade computers, communication technology and infrastructure elements. Many departments are so under-funded, understaffed and under-trained that they are not ready to effectively handle a major crisis. Improvements must be made immediately.

• Approve the Homeland Security Block Grant.

  The Homeland Security Block Grant would provide $3 billion to localities for anti-terrorism activities. It would allow local governments to enhance regional planning and coordination toward preventing, preparing for and managing a response to terrorism.

  A recent NACo survey showed that 94 percent of all counties have emergency plans to deal with disasters, and nearly 100 percent of all urban counties have plans to respond to terrorism. But many rural counties have no plans, and almost all counties need improved infrastructure.

  The block grant funding is essential because, like many businesses, counties are feeling the impact of the recession. Revenues are down, making it difficult to fund essential services. Additional local funding for homeland security is stretching already tight budgets.

• Give Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge budget authority.

  In Washington, the reality is that money is power. Success in coordinating departments, agencies and other levels of government to implement a comprehensive homeland security plan without the authority to deliver funds would be extremely difficult.

  The state and local advisory committee that will assist Ridge should make recommendations on funding allocations. Both the block grant and the Homeland Security Fund should be allocated through his office.

• Establish a Homeland Security Fund to provide money to state and local governments.

  The Homeland Security Fund would provide a way for all Americans to have a role in fighting terrorism. The fund would be established to supplement — not replace — federal, state and local funding.

  To provide revenue for the fund, NACo recommends that the federal government sell Homeland Security Bonds like those sold during World War II. Money raised would be distributed from the fund to local governments.

  The Homeland Security Bonds would allow people to participate in the war effort, keeping Americans engaged in the struggle and involved in the solution. Americans also should have the option to donate to the fund by checking off a box on their income tax returns. A $1 contribution from Americans filing taxes would make a big impact.

• Strengthen the ability of various public safety departments to communicate with each other.

  The Homeland Emergency Response Operations Act (H.R. 3397), which NACo endorses, would open lines of communication by freeing up the 700 MHz band, allowing first responders to work across county and department lines. A coordinated response is the best defense in any crisis situation.

  The threat of future attacks is real. Counties are ready to serve and secure America. Just as we arm our forces overseas with the latest equipment, we need to remember our forces at home. They, too, need to be adequately equipped.

• Javier Gonzales is a commissioner for Santa Fe County, N.M., and president of the National Association of Counties.