Stateline Stories

Drones, Fences and Sensors Influence Immigration Debate

Border security is a big part of the immigration overhaul. But who will define it?

Homeland Security Grants to States Gutted

Homeland Security grants to states have been cut 67 percent. Grants to Massachusetts, site of Monday’s bombings, have been cut even more.

Report: Insurers Ill-Prepared for Climate Risks

Just 23 out of 184 large companies doing business in the U.S. follow a comprehensive plan to address climate change risks, according to a survey conducted by insurance regulators in California, New York and Washington.

States with Heavy Military Presence Hurt Hardest

The White House published a 50-state list of potential impacts from the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. States that rely heavily on military spending would be hurt worst.

States Seek Legal Limits on Domestic Drones

Lawmakers in nearly half the states are working to set legal limits on the use of drones, before they become a key part of domestic policing.

Federal Government Gives States More Time on Real ID

Only 13 states issue driver’s licenses that comply with the federal Real ID law, but states that do not will have at least six months to bring their licenses up to those standards.

State Officials Brace for Impact as Sandy Nears East Coast

State emergency managers rallied every resource as a unique megastorm swirls closer to landfall, threatening to bring a potentially deadly combination of hurricane force winds and historic surge levels to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast, along with heavy Appalachian snows.

States Defend Anti-Terrorism Centers After Harsh Senate Report

Law enforcement agencies and state officials defended regional information-sharing offices known as “fusion centers” as a key part of the nation’s homeland security network. A Senate report questioned the value of the fusion centers, which they found had “not produced useful intelligence.”

Iowa Governor Blasts Pentagon Air Guard Cuts

Just days before he and other governors are scheduled to meet with Pentagon brass, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad attacked the Defense Department Thursday (July 12) for failing to work with governors on plans to drastically cut the size of the Air National Guard.

Governors Vow Vigilance on Air National Guard Funding

Drastic cuts to the Air National Guard were frozen after intense lobbying by governors and guard leaders, but the defense budget still has to withstand a full House and Senate vote.

State Defense Forces Grow, Project New Image

January 5 State guards, little-known auxiliaries to National Guard units, are gaining popularity and notice since the terrorist attacks of September 2001. But they are struggling to change their image more than a decade after press reports connected some of them to paramilitary and hate groups, and raised other criticisms.

Firms Scramble for Homeland-Security Money

Information technology companies with new security-related products or repackaged existing ones are among the many businesses rushing to capture a share of billions of dollars in federal homeland security grants flowing to state and local governments.

Clark Pledges to Aid States, Boost Homeland Security

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark would send $40 billion back to state and local governments and seek $40 billion more for homeland security if he were elected president of the United States, he said in an interview with Stateline.org.

State Security Chiefs See No Holdup in Funding

State homeland security officials are firing back at federal and local government critics who charge that state governments are holding up homeland security dollars.

National Guard Vows to Even Out Burden on States

The National Guard, whose citizen soldiers have been dispatched for lengthy tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is drawing up plans to balance the number of troops from each state during future deployments so no state is left shorthanded in an emergency at home. Under proposed plans, at least half of each states Guard troops would be kept from active duty at any one time and major deployments would happen on a more predictable schedule.

State Officials Push Localized Color-Coded Alerts

Some state homeland security directors contend the federal governments color-coded alerts are too geographically broad. Congress and the Department of Homeland Security are moving toward refining the threat index, whose heightened alerts strain state law enforcement budgets.

Guard Deployments Spark State Security Concerns

Not since the Korean War have governors had to cope with state National Guard troop deployments on the scale spurred by the U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. With new sets of troops heading overseas and others tours extended, governors and other state officials are working to fill holes created in the public and private-sector work force, to help the soldiers families and to ensure resources are in place to battle crises that might emerge at home.

Cities Gain, States Lose in Bio-Terror Funding

Unless Congress acts next week, each of the 50 states will lose more than $1 million in bioterrorism funding promised to help bolster its public health infrastructure. Most of the money - $54.9 million in all - instead will fund an emergency-supply delivery program in 21 of the nations largest cities. Sparsely populated states, which receive less money to begin with, will feel the sting most acutely.

Panel Urges Unclogging Pipeline for Security Funds

State and local governments have received less than one-sixth of the federal funds allocated to them for homeland security defenses since the Sept. 11 attacks not because they wouldnt love to invest that money in emergency staff and equipment but, they complain, because red tape has prevented it. Now a task force of governors, mayors and other officials is asking the Congress and the White House to loosen up the regulatory logjam.

Guard Officials Expect to Meet Recruiting Goals

National Guard officials say retention levels remain high and recruitment is on target despite heavy reliance on National Guard troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Guard planned to sign up 47,500 new members by Sept 30 to achieve a nationwide force level of 457,000. It is currently about 7,300 members short of that goal.

Warrior Legislators Face Dilemma: Give Up One Job?

Heavy reliance on National Guard troops and reservists in the U.S. war on terrorism is laying a novel problem on the doorstep of statehouses. To adhere to a Defense Department policy, legislators and other elected state officials called to extended active duty must choose between serving their nation in the military or their state capitol.

GOP Touts Bush's Record on State Affairs

Republicans made the case this week for a second term for President George W. Bush, saying his policies already are helping states budget prospects and will help states deal with the ongoing challenges of health care costs and job growth. Bush formally accepted his partys nomination at the Republican National Convention Thursday and sketched out his domestic agenda for a second term.

States Seek Emergency Medical Compacts

States legally can share fire trucks and helicopters in emergencies, but not medical expertise. But some states are working to change that, particularly in case of a bioterrorist event such as a smallpox outbreak or anthrax attack. Nebraska and nine other states are working on mutual aid agreements to share doctors and laboratories in times of emergency. And the Southern Governors Association has been developing digital connections that project leaders hope will be the beginning of a national health highway system.

Drivers' licenses to face new federal standards

Dec. 9 - In a little-noticed provision that has some state officials fretting, the landmark U.S. intelligence overhaul passed by Congress Wednesday (Dec. 8) includes the first mandatory federal identification standards for drivers licenses, birth certificates and other forms of state-issued ID. The objective is to better safeguard the nation against terrorist attacks, but some wary critics argue it is merely, as one put it, an end run on states rights.

2005 State-By-State Security Funding

Following is a state-by-state ranking of per capita anti-terrorism funding from $2.4 billion in fiscal 2005 grants from the Department of Homeland Security. The numbers, compiled by the Congressional Research Service, compares fiscal 2005 totals with comparable grants from fiscal 2004.

Governors Set Winter Meeting

As most states wrestle to close mounting budget deficits, their governors will gather in Washington, D.C., this weekend for meetings focusing on implementing new federal education legislation and reforming Medicaid to shift the burden of spiraling healthcare costs.

State Legislative Leaders Lobby Congress

State legislative leaders will take a break this week from the fierce budget battles being waged in many of their states to urge Congressional power-brokers and members of the Bush administration to help alleviate state fiscal woes by fully funding federal mandates for education and homeland security.

Iraq Crisis Spurs Tightened State Security

As the nation braced for war with Iraq, states reacted to an elevated terror alert level with responses that ranged from beefing up patrols to considering emergency drills. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) urged residents of his state to "stay alert and report anything we see that looks suspicious."

Human Impact of States' Budget Cuts

Cassandra Skyers used to help needy Connecticut families get health care and food stamps. But by months end, the Bloomfield, Conn., woman fears she herself may be standing in line to see if she qualifies for some of the same state aid she used to distribute.

States Act to Protect Citizen Soldiers' Income

While pressed for cash, several states are acting to make sure National Guard troops and reservists called on to fight against Iraq or terrorism dont lose out financially. The states include Connecticut, Florida, New York, Tennessee and Virginia.

Security Funding Formula Under Attack

When New York Gov. George Pataki (R) questioned the fairness of the federal government's distribution of homeland security funds last week, he broke the seal of silence on what might be called the "Minnetonka problem." Put as a question: Does Minnetonka, Minn., population 51,301, along with other small communities and states, actually need funding for homeland security?

States Struggle to Expand Crisis Communications

Only 14 states have upgraded communications equipment enough to allow public safety agencies to talk to each other during a terrorist attack or other emergency situation, a federal study of state emergency communications capabilities released Wednesday (4/9) shows. The 14 states are Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.

Bio-Terror Systems Help States Contain SARS, Officials Say

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the potentially deadly flu-like illness that originated in China, is testing more than public health officials nerves. Its also testing communications networks that states have established to exchange information in the event of a bio-terror attack.

Budget Cuts, Anti-Terror Duties Strain Policing

State and local law enforcement agencies have been expected to do more to protect the nations critical infrastructure and major landmarks from terrorist attacks since Sept. 11, 2001. But budget cuts and increased anti-terrorism responsibilities are straining a ten-year effort by law enforcement to reduce crime rates by putting more police officers on the streets.

Iraq War Boosts High-Tech States

States with robust high tech sectors such as California, Massachusetts, Florida and Texas are likely to be economic winners from the war in Iraq. But states with big military training bases states such as Georgia and Oklahoma could be affected by Iraq war-related changes in military strategy and tactics.

West Nile Virus Threat Returns

State public health officials are prepping for another bout with West Nile virus, the mosquito-born illness that infected 4,156 humans and killed 284 in 46 states last year. Cash-strapped states believe additional federal funds and intense public information campaigns could help curb the disease thats spread swiftly across the country since it first appeared in New York in 1999.

Monkeypox Outbreak Reveals Gaps in State Laws

State public health and wildlife officials were surprised by the recent outbreak of monkeypox in the Midwest. They say it shed light on the mishmash of state laws that regulate exotic pets and is causing some states to rethink or consider new policies.

Ridge Says More Security Info on the Way

Speaking at the National Governors Associations (NGA) annual summer meeting, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said the nation has a long way to go before it is secure and that his department needs to develop better partnerships with state and local officials.

States Won't Heighten Security For 9-11 Anniversary

Following the federal governments lead, most states do not plan to take extra security precautions during the second anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Northeast States Join In Commuter Security Effort

The opening shots of the war with Iraq brought governors of three states together in an unusual effort to protect commuters in the New York City area from terrorist attacks.

National Guard Burden Shared Unequally

Not since the Korean War have so many National Guard troops been called up for active duty, a trend that underscores a mission shift from Weekend Warrior to frontline soldier. But the burden has not fallen equally. Just 10 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are contributing more than one-third of the Guard troops currently activated or alerted for federal service.

States Vie to Stave Off Military Base Closings

The next round of military base closures wont be announced until late 2005. But most states with military installations are already intensifying efforts to protect their economies from the fallout of a base closing.

Law Enforcement Linking Tangled Information Webs

Sparked by the threat of terrorism, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are quickly developing a variety of information networks to share information and fight crime.

States Ill-Prepared for Bio-Terror Attack, Report Says

States are not much better prepared now to deal with public health emergencies than they were before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a new report says.

Panel Urges Anti-Terrorism Spending Guidelines

Billions of dollars spent by state and local governments to guard against terrorism are likely to be wastefully spent in the absence of federal guidelines, a blue ribbon panel led by former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore maintains.

Post - 9-11, How Safe Is America?

More than two years after 9/11, studies show that efforts to bolster homeland security lack vision and strategy; that billions of dollars are being spent inefficiently; and that accurate and timely intelligence is not always reaching the right agencies.

State Officials Recommend Driver's License Database

State motor vehicle officials stopped short of calling for a national identity card on Monday (1/14) when they unveiled a plan to expand the nation's existing commercial drivers database to include all 200 million passenger car drivers. But their plan is still being touted by security experts as one step closer to a unified, nationwide system to help identify and keep track of individuals suspected of terrorist or other criminal activities.

Legislatures Meet Amid Tighter Security

State capitols still belong to the people but increasingly resemble the visiting room at the state prison, thanks to post-9/11 security measures. As 39 legislatures begin sessions this month, capitol visitors in most states will face new barricades and requests for I.D.

Public Health, Rx Bills Top State Agendas

Bioterrorism and public health measures arising from the threat of further terrorist attacks loom as high priority issues for states to address this year. They come to the forefront at a time when there may not be enough money in state coffers to support other new healthcare programs or expansions.

States Declare Open Season On Public Access

Terrorists used American planes to kill U.S. citizens on Sept. 11, and now state lawmakers want to prevent evildoers from using our own maps and security plans to take more lives.

Anti-Terror Action Slower Than Expected

When lawmakers in nearly forty states returned to their capitals in January, two issues loomed large on the public agenda: the economy and terrorism. But with regular sessions finished in eleven states and gavels ready to fall in another eight before the end of April, less has happened on the anti-terror front than people expected.

Govs Press For Homeland Security Funds

The nations governors asked the federal government Wednesday (4/10) for more anti-terrorism dollars, telling the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee that states can't handle the estimated first-year cost of at least $5 billion to implement post-September 11 security programs on their own.

HHS Chief Touts Bioterrorism Response

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson is bragging about the turnaround time between passage of a $1.1 bioterrorism prevention bill and completion of state plans for spending the money. Thompson told the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday (5/2) that his department got first-round readiness plans from nearly every state health department by April 15 -- less than 100 days after President Bush signed the legislation.

States Rush to Claim $1 Billion in Bioterrorism Aid

For public health officials across the country, April 15 delivered an extra shot of adrenaline that had nothing to do with filing last-minute income tax returns. Rather, it was the finish line of a 74-day sprint to submit complex and lengthy bioterror aid requests to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Emergency Communications A Major Problem

If the United States ever deals with another massive terrorist assault, the survival of thousands may depend upon one wonky, eight-syllable word: interoperability. Right now, its a major problem.

States Offer Free Pills No One Wants To Take

Several states want to give away free medicine, but they hope it will not get used. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11and perceived threats against nuclear facilities, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) made potassium iodide pills available for people who live or work within a 10-mile radius of a nuclear reactor.

State Leaders Back Bush Homeland Security Plan

State officials say President Bushs sweeping proposal to reorganize federal security and intelligence agencies into a new department is just the thing theyve been looking for since last years terrorist attacks.

National Guard's Post 9-11 Role Uncertain

When al Qaeda terrorists attacked the United States on 9/11, the head of the National Guard's homeland security office was hosting a meeting on what the Guard could do to prevent such a thing. It's a question that remains unresolved.

Bush Security Plan: States To Share Roles, Costs

State and local governments "can and should play important roles" in protecting people and property from future terrorist activity and will share the $100 billion annual cost with the federal government, President Bushs new homeland security blueprint says.

Lawmakers' Security Report Poses Questions

Ask state lawmakers what they're doing to make the country safe from terrorism and what you'll hear in reply is: We're asking questions, questions and more questions. A report released Thursday (7/25) by a nationwide panel of legislators meshes with the vision President Bush has articulated of a national partnership of federal, state and local governments.

States Sept. 11 Response Draws Kudos, Criticism

Since the devastating attacks nearly a year ago that plunged the country into a war against terrorism, it has become clear that states have a major role to play in improving homeland security. How well are they doing? In this, the first of a series of Stateline.org reports, we provide a broad overview of what has been done in the last 12 months.

Driver's License Changes Test Limits of Civil Liberties

In the nation's war on terrorism, some drivers license agencies have taken on responsibilities never envisioned. Many public officials now view them as one of the nation's primary tools for weeding out potential terrorists and identity thieves.

War on Terror Restricts Information Flow

After hijacked planes slammed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, Attorney General John Ashcroft told federal agencies to clamp down on releasing records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the law requiring government agencies to make information available on request.

Public Health Officials Prep for Bioterror With New Hires

Unemployment is up across the country. Some companies receive up to 400 resumes for each open position. But if you can fight, detect or help plan a response to a bioterrorism attack, you can find work in almost any state.

States Lean on Feds For Security Funds

State officials have been talking up the importance of homeland security, but few of them have been putting up much state money for the protection of their citizens. Instead, most states have been relying on the federal government to subsidize or even completely fund their security efforts.

One Year Later, States Better Prepared For Terror

Are we better prepared to handle a terrorist attack than we were one year ago? Yes, but. That's the answer from the man who managed New York State's response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

State Anti-Terrorism Chiefs Play Unclear Role

When the next terrorist attack comes - as the nation's leaders assert it inevitably will the person in charge of your state's response may not be its homeland security director. Most are high-level policy advisors who command broad respect. But few have any new money or staff with which to do their jobs.

Security Push Discourages Innovation

Public policy makers were told to "think outside of the box" so often in the 1990s the phrase became a clichi. After the Sept. 11 attacks, with most states running large deficits and the size and shape of the policy box less certain, many leading the anti-terror effort say it seems more like a luxury.

States Campaign To Keep Military Bases

Military bases are economic pillars for the communities around them. With another round in the Defense Department's Base Realignment and Closure effort just three years away, some states have begun campaigning to keep their facilities.

Emergency Money Coming, Ridge Tells States

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge has reassured state lawmakers he will push for the quick delivery of funding promised to states and cities last year to train and equip emergency anti-terror teams. The money still had not been appropriated when Congress adjourned in November.

Federal Aid To States Unlikely, Experts Say

State lawmakers looking for significant financial help from the federal government this year are facing major hurdles, a panel of political and budget experts said Thursday (12/12).

Bush Taps Pennsylvania Governor to be Home Security Czar

When President Bush decided to create a Cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security, he turned to an old Harvard-educated friend of 21 years and a former Vietnam combat veteran to head it -- Republican Gov. Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania. Ridge, who was scheduled to end his second four-year term as governor in January 2003, said he planned to resign as chief executive of his state on Oct. 5. His fellow Republican, Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker, will take over the reins of state government.

Crop Duster Groundings Might Hit Harvest

Farmers in many states might feel some impact at harvest time this fall from the post-September 11 grounding of 5,000 crop dusters. Planes and helicopters used to spray fertilizer and chemicals on millions of acres of U.S. farmland are flying again now, but they had to stand down for a day or more three times in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon -- and the groundings occurred during a phase of the growing season crucial to the survival of crops susceptible to disease and insects.

Bush Asks States to Help Secure Airports

President Bush wants the states to help secure the nation's airports as part of his plan to aid the struggling airlines and reassure Americans it's safe to fly again.Speaking at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the nation's busiest, Bush Thursday called on the governors to deploy up to 4,000 National Guard military police at federal expense to bolster airport security. He said the MPs would man checkpoints to help identify people, screen vehicles and look for suspicious baggage.

Little-Known Compact Aids U.S. Defense, Officials Say

More states are expected to sign onto an interstate agreement that gets rid of bureaucratic wrangling when helicopters, firefighters or trucks are needed in emergencies. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact, (EMAC), already endorsed by 41 states, enables mutual aid during times of emergency. New York formally adopted the agreement six days after the terrorists attacks.

Statehouse Security Under Review

Following the shooting deaths of two police officers at the U.S. Capitol in 1998, the states undertook an appraisal of their own Capitol security measures and found them in many cases to be woefully inadequate. Three years later, in the wake of the devastating Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, the states are again reassessing security to see what more can be done to protect lawmakers and visitors alike while keeping capitol complexes as open as possible.

June Exercise Planned to Deal with Terrorist Strikes

Three months ago, some of the nation's governors gathered in the City of Gotham to deal with a massive biological terrorist attack that threatened to kill thousands and instill panic in residents of the State of New Aberdeen. Fortunately, no one died and no one was hurt. The event was only a fictional exercise held in a Washington D.C. hotel conference room in June. But the scenario laid out at the National Governors Association Summit on Domestic Terrorism was eerily similar to the hellish terrorists attacks on Tuesday (9/11) that demolished the twin World Trade Center Towers in New York and split a section of the Pentagon in half.

State Officials Use Internet in Crisis

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on America, governors and other top state officials are turning to the Internet to deliver messages of consolation and anger, hope and fortitude to fellow Americans. "Today's horrific incident at the World Trade Center which appears to be part of a coordinated terrorist attack is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions and a crime against all Americans and all decent people around the world," said New York Gov. George Pataki in a statement posted on the state Web site just after Tuesday's attack.

Attacks Lead States to Take Precautionary Measures

While search and rescue crews labor to find survivors, assess damage and clear rubble following Tuesdays terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., state of emergency declarations were in effect in several states as governors and other officials move to prevent civil disruptions and offer aid to recovery efforts.

Attacks Affect Policy Conferences

Governors of the southern states were getting ready for a day of policy meetings and debate in Lexington, Ky last Tuesday when the United States came under attack. It was the final day of the annual conference of the Southern Governors Association and it turned out to be a short one. Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, the conference chair, and other governors decided to cancel the day's activities when the overwhelming nature of the morning's events became apparent. Many other national and regional policy conferences have been cancelled in the wake of Tuesday's events. But at least one organization, the National Association of State Budget Officers, is pressing on.

State Disaster Teams Vary in Approach, Design

Before last week's terrorist attacks, emergency workers in New York were used to dealing with the dangers of ice storms, snow emergencies and floods. Even so, the group charged with overseeing disastersknown as the New York State Emergency Management Officeassembled an Offsite Air Disaster Task Force nearly a year ago, at the behest of Gov. George Pataki. Thanks to foresight like that, the panel completed an air disaster blueprint last spring, and "had plans in place" to deal with the terrorist attacks, spokesperson Dennis Michalski says.

NEMAs Trina Hembree Preaches Preparedness

While most of America was caught off-guard by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Trina Hembree had long known the threat of terrorism was real. As executive director of the National Emergency Management Association, Hembree last year wrote a prophetic essay, "Terrorism Comes to America," and worked with state emergency management directors on domestic preparedness.

States Shoulder New Anti-Terror Burden

The sudden scramble to shore up defenses against every conceivable terrorist threat has placed significant new security and preparedness burdens on state governments across the country, a Stateline.org survey of anti-terror activity in the 50 states has found.

State-by-State Anti-Terror Update

On Nov. 14, Stateline.org compiled a roundup of actions taken by state governments to prepare for the possibility of a terrorist attack. Following is an update.

State by State Anti-Terror Breakdown

A state by state breakdown of anti-terrorism action.

Election Reform Landscape Altered By Terror War

Most everything was altered by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11 - from transportation to law enforcement to peoples attitudes to politics. The election reform landscape, once dominated by partisan disputes, might have been altered as well.

State by State Security Update

Stateline.org is tracking actions taken by state governments around the country since Sept. 11 to prepare for the possibility of a new terrorist attack. Following is an updated compilation of significant measures taken in the last three months.

Chemical Stockpiles Raise New Worries

U.S. homeland security worries following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have added urgency to concerns about chemical weapons stockpiles in eight states.

Fighting Bioterror Takes Big Thinking, Officials Say

Texas State Senator Dianne White Delisi doesnt claim psychic powers, but she did have the foresight four years ago to urge a study on how prepared the Lone Star State was for a bioterrorism attack. How did her colleagues react? "I was met with chuckles when I floated that around," she says.

Southern Governors Conference Cancelled After D.C., New York Attacks

The final day of the Southern Governors Associations Conference in Lexington, KY was canceled Tuesday because of the attacks in New York and in Washington D.C. Conference Chair Governor Paul Patton and other governors made the decision when the overwhelming nature of events of the morning became known to them and to conference attendees. As the entire nation watches with great sadness the events unfolding in New York and Washington D.C., our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to the many people who have been affected by this terrible tragedy, Governor Patton said. I know all Kentuckians join me and the rest of the nation in hopeful prayer as we await further details of these horrifying events.

Hazmat Trucks Draw Scrutiny

Thousands of trucks carry explosives, fuels, corrosive acids and other volatile chemical agents over America's highways every day with state-issued hazardous material placards reminding passing vehicles and cargo handlers to exercise special caution. Now that the U.S. Department of Transportation has asked law enforcement agencies to pull over all such trucks and verify drivers' identity and background, the placards have become magnets of suspicion.

Bioterrorism Threat Finds States, Feds Lacking: GAO

State public health departments will lead the response to any germ warfare attack on the United States, but even the most charitable assessment of their preparations to date suggests they are only slowly rising to the challenge, the General Accounting Office says.

NGA Database New Tool In Anti-Terror Fight

At least 25 states and hundreds of private citizens, companies and organizations are ready to render emergency services in the event of another terrorist attack or disaster on U.S. soil. Over the last two weeks, the National Governors Association has compiled a huge database of services and equipment that could be dispatched on a moments notice. The NGA database could turn out to be one of the most important developments in emergency preparedness to emerge from the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks on September 11.

Governors Seek $4B For Anti-Terror Effort

The nations governors say their efforts to guard against threats to public health and critical infrastructure posed by the ongoing possibility of terrorist acts will cost the states at least $4 billion in the first year after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and the Pentagon.

States Cracking Down on Terrorism Hoaxes

In the wake of September 11, many states have experienced a flood of terrorism-related hoaxes, taxing both emergency response resources and state funds. In an effort to reduce the number of these hoaxes, states are working to toughen laws and penalties governing these "false alarms."

Aging Dams Raise State, Local Concern

Take a walk outdoors on a sunny afternoon with Bruce Julian of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and youll get an education. Standing on a jogging path that tops Northern Virginia's Lake Braddock dam -- lapsing into Washington DC bureaucratic jargon, Julian calls it "Dam 7" -- the NRCS's national policy coordinator explains what's wrong with dams across the country by pointing out what this dams builders did right.

State Campaigns Against Identity Theft Enter New Phase

Imagine you return from a trip abroad. You are detained at the border, arrested and thrown in jail for a crime committed by someone else posing as you. It's the worst-case scenario for a victim of identity theft, say experts, a crime that has hit more and more people in the United States in the last decade.

Preparations For West Nile Virus Spread West

Earlier this year, Stateline.org reported that 17 states along the Eastern Seaboard were drawing up plans to monitor and combat mosquitoes that might carry the potentially deadly West Nile virus. Since then, these preparations have spread west, and more money has been allotted to states for their efforts.

States Ramp Up Cyber-Enforcement Efforts

Hackers, identity thieves and other malicious individuals are preying on the fast-growing Internet, prompting aggressive state action to maintain Web law and order. Part of the thrust has been legislative, in the form of new and modified laws that spell out unlawful online conduct and its penalties. Lawmakers are working in tandem with law enforcement officials, particularly state attorneys general, who are allocating more money and manpower to stemming computer crime.

State, Federal Officials Hold Anti-Terrorism Summit

Taking the first concrete steps toward a unified state-federal counter-terrorism policy, Attorney General Janet Reno, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt and officials from 48 states gathered in Williamsburg, Virginia Tuesday and Wednesday for a national summit. Justice Department officials used the meeting to announce the first ever direct funding to states for counter terrorism equipment and training.