How to Fund Homeland Security without Federal Dollars: State and Local Funding of Homeland Security Initiatives in Light of Decreased Support by the Federal Government

摘要

States cannot depend upon the federal government to fund homeland security initiatives at the state and local level. This thesis, therefore, examined alternatives states and local units of government might use to fund homeland security initiatives, ranging from conventional alternatives such as, asset forfeiture, sales taxes, congestion fees and multi-year budgeting with the addition of a 'rainy day' fund, to less conventional options like public/private partnerships and innovative investment strategies, mirroring the Kansas Economic Growth Act for biosciences. The policy options analysis revealed that while most of these options have some merit or suitability for some jurisdictions, none appears to be conclusively appropriate. The final recommendation of this thesis is, therefore, that homeland security professionals and emergency management directors take the initiative and determine in their jurisdiction which programs are the most critical. They then should approach the state executive budget office and request budget consideration for those priorities. The options discussed in this thesis should provide legislators and homeland security and emergency management professionals with innovative ideas and methods to develop innovative solutions to sustainability funding for state and local homeland security initiatives.