New Government Websites to Track Stimulus Funds

President Obama recently launched a new website – recovery.gov – to allow taxpayers to track how stimulus money is being used.

DHS also created www.dhs.gov/recovery, to provide more details about the department’s allocation of the $3 billion in new homeland security funding. Here is a break-down so far, but not much will be spent on immigration services, in case you are wondering:

St. Elizabeths/DHS Headquarters Consolidation:

• $650 million ($200 million to DHS; $450 million to GSA)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):

• $720 million for construction at land ports of entry ($300 million GSA; $420 million CBP)
• $100 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology
• $100 million for border technology on the southwest border
• $60 million for tactical communications equipment and radios

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

• $20 million for ICE automation modernization and tactical communications

Transportation Security Administration:

• $1 billion for explosives detection systems and checkpoint screening equipment

U.S. Coast Guard:

• $142 million for Alteration of Bridges program
• $98 million for construction, which may include the following:
  • Shore facilities and aids to navigation facilities
  • Vessel repair/acquisition (includes High Endurance Cutter, National Security Cutter)

Federal Emergency Management Agency:

• $100 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program
• $150 million for transit and rail security grants
• $150 million for port security grants, no non-federal match required
• $210 million for Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) grants for firehouse construction; maximum grant is $15.0M
• $5 million expansion in authority for FEMA Community Disaster Loans
• Requires the establishment of an arbitration panel to resolve Katrina/Rita public assistance disputes
• Requires FEMA to accept additional applications for Katrina/Rita public assistance
• All non-federal matching requirements for SAFER grants waived for FY 2009-2010

DHS Office of Inspector General:

• $5 million to conduct related oversight and audits