State ranks eighth in nation in homeland security spending

SEATTLE – Washington is among the top 10 states where the most federal homeland security money was spent in 2003, according to a new analysis of census data.

The state ranked eighth among the 50 states in federal Department of Homeland Security expenditures in fiscal 2003. The agency spent more than $267.4 million in Washington in grants, contracts and salaries.

States receiving more money than Washington were New York, Texas, Virginia, California, Florida, Maryland and Louisiana.

Per capita, homeland security spending in Washington – the 15th most populated state with 6.1 million people – ranked 11th with $43.62 spent per person. The national rate was $58.32 a person, the Census Bureau reported.

Nationally, the agency spent the most in New York, which received $4.2 billion and Texas, which got $1.9 billion.

Wyoming ranked last with $12.5 million, although on a per capita basis Wisconsin faired the worst, with spending of just $12 a person.

This was the first year the Census Bureau’s annual Consolidated Federal Funds Report included homeland security expenditures. The department was created on Jan. 24, 2003.

Likely contributing to Washington state’s rank is its border with Canada, its major ports and its public ferry system, the nation’s largest.

Geographically, the state just demands more resources for homeland security protection, said Mike Milne, a Seattle spokesman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

“There’s a lot more needs here, in terms of borders and ports, to spend money on,” Milne said.

He said in the last three years – since Sept. 11, 2001 – the agency has doubled the number of officers at ports of entry throughout Washington state.

The census data showed that roughly $106.6 million was spent in Washington state on federal homeland security salaries – in agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration and Secret Service. Figures also included the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.