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Lawmakers Release Recommendations for Bolstering Homeland Security

DENVER -- Gathering information, appropriating funds, coordinating activities and civic education are the keys to an effective state strategy to prevent domestic terrorism according to a report released today by the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Task Force on Protecting Democracy.

"The new National Strategy for Homeland Security recognizes the important role of state and local governments as the 'front line troops' in providing security against terrorism," said Sen. Richard T. Moore, task force co-chair. "It is our hope that this report will help legislatures fulfill their role in strengthening homeland security at the state and local level and as partners in the federal system."

The task force, commissioned shortly after the September terrorist attacks, was created to assist state legislatures in sharing information on issues of public safety, homeland security, emergency preparedness and public health. The task force also was tasked with establishing protocols for the exchange of information between the various levels of government. The interim report of the task force provides states with best practices for implementing programs as well as recommendations for the renewal of American's attitudes toward their government. The report also provides a series of recommendations to the federal government on how best to work with the states on the issue.

"Our report gets down to the nuts and bolts of homeland security," said Arizona Rep. Wes Marsh, co-chair of the task force. "We've identified key issues for states to address and provided a series of best practices and recommendations for taking the first step in establishing an effective system to do their part in combating terrorism."

The report suggests a wide range of state actions covering such issues as:

• Agriculture and Food Safety
• Continuity of State Government
• Cyber-terrorism / cyber-security
• Electronic Surveillance
• Energy Security
• First Responders
• Identity Security
• Public Health
• Transportation Security
• And many others.
  

The task force also spent a great deal of time on the issue of civic engagement. The report recognizes an urgent need to encourage public education to prepare young people for their roles as active citizens in our democracy.

"The task force wanted to capture and build upon the heightened sense of patriotism in the wake of September 11th," said Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature Pat O'Donnell, co-chair of the task force. "We believe it is vitally important to instill a sense civic responsibility in the nation's leaders of tomorrow."

Link to full interim report A Call for State Action to Protect and Strengthen Our Democracy.

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