Safer budgeting. The Department of Homeland Security has a funding formula that distributes money across the nation based on the level of risk. Makes perfect sense. No big deal. So why mention it? Because it is a new policy.

That’s right. Before the change was announced this week, the biggest factor determining funding for a large portion of Homeland Security money was statehood. You’re a state? Here’s your money. Even in the wake of the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil, senators clung mightily to their “gotta get mine” instincts. This despite the fact that terrorism experts note that urban areas and ports are much more likely targets.

As CBS News reported, some smaller communities used federal funds for fitness training, scooters and security-related raps songs. But now they must make a case for why they need the money. Another positive reform is that communities at higher risk of natural disasters should see more funding, too. That’s a welcome change after the poor response to Hurricane Katrina.

Potential losers from this funding change are already carping, but the nation is better served when reason, rather than self-interest, is deployed.

Governor gives up the wild life. A year ago, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire was getting ready to take office on the strength of a 129-vote election margin that was still under challenge.

Those political uncertainties have been resolved, but 2006 arrived with a new cause for anxiety – a number of intruders on the grounds of the executive mansion in Olympia. Then the Washington State Patrol went to work.

In cooperation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, troopers have chased an undetermined number of coyotes away and arranged for the trapping of a raccoon (released in the wild) and an opossum (euthanized).

Now the first family doesn’t have to worry as much about an attack on Franz, its 13-pound Pomeranian. Lucky for the Gregoires, Franz wasn’t being hounded by a spotted owl or a marbled murrelet.