Alaska State Legislature House and Senate Democrats

WEB: CONTACT: PHONE: FAX: EMAIL:

http://www.akdemocrats.org Mike Doogan, Press Secretary (907) 465-3842 or 723-2572 (907) 465-5125 press@akdemocrats.org

First Responders Know Homeland Security Needs

ANCHORAGE - Democratic lawmakers extended an olive branch to Governor Frank Murkowski yesterday after months of disagreement over the best use of federal Homeland Security Funds. State Senate and House Minority Leaders Johnny Ellis and Ethan Berkowitz joined Senator Hollis French and Representative Les Gara in recommending the governor consider Homeland Security suggestions given by citizens and local law enforcement officials.

"We hope you would consider opening a pubic dialogue on ways to best utilize the [recently unencumbered] $2 million in Homeland Security funds," the letter states. "Some proposals we've heard… include updated communications equipment for the Department of Public Safety, and enhancement of either Anchorage's or the state's dated 911 emergency response system."

The lawmakers offered to remain involved in helping to seek ways to prevent and respond to possible future acts of terrorism.

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