NY sues Feds over Homeland Security funding slash

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Governor Kathy Hochul recently sent a letter to Kristi Noem, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, demanding to know why the federal government cut $187 million in a Homeland Security Grant Program for New York.

"This makes New York less safe, it makes America less safe," explained Jackie Bray, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Bray says the funding cut impacts the NYPD, FDNY, as well as New York State counties and cities.

"We know that when we are talking about ISIS or al-Qaeda directed or inspired attacks, New York stands frankly alone, in a bad way as the really number one target in the country."

She said New York also ranks high in domestic threats. According to the commissioner, back in August, the state was notified of an $87 million dollar or 40% cut in funding. However, it turned out to be much more. 

"We obviously were concerned about it, didn’t agree with it, but we did have notice and warning. But instead of cutting us 40%, they cut us 86%, virtually defunding counter terrorism efforts in New York State."

Governor Kathy Hochul recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security demanding more transparency and to reverse the decision. Hochul cited that federal government staff claimed the original decrease in money was based on a formula. However, she wants to know why an additional $100 million was cut. 

When we reached out to The Department of Homeland Security, asking for a reasoning behind the $187 million dollar decrease, News10 received a statement saying in-part,

“FEMA is focused on aligning its grant programs with the Trump Administration’s priorities to streamline federal resources and reduce the burden on the American taxpayer. New York City has long been the largest recipient of Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding, receiving roughly $3.6 billion since the program’s inception, which is about 30% of all funds awarded…Our goal is to ensure communities remain secure while making the system more effective and accountable, moving away from the fraud, waste, and abuse of the past,” said the Department of Homeland Security.

New York joined a lawsuit with 11 other states to sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the funding cuts. A judge recently issued a temporary restraining order in favor of the states.