Nonprofit security back in budget

Sponsors of federal security funding for non-profits reintroduced such spending in the 2008 budget. In 2005 and 2006, $25 million was set aside in the Homeland Security budget for security measures that would protect at-risk non-profits from terrorist attacks. Jewish institutions got the bulk of the $25 million budgeted in 2005 and have applied for some of the $25 million in the 2006 budget. The funds are used to build more secure barriers for vulnerable buildings, among other projects. The Bush administration has resisted such funding, preferring to focus spending on imminent rather than potential threats. That approach delayed the release of the 2006 funds and eliminated such funding in 2007. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) announced Wednesday that she and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the lead sponsors of previous funding, wrote $20 million into the 2008 budget. “This funding is an important victory for the hospitals, schools, community centers, synagogues and churches that need protection from terrorist violence,” she said. “This is a federal investment in added security to help protect organizations at risk”