By Mark Scott
Washington, DC – President Bush is proposing increased spending on homeland security in the budget his administration is putting together. One New York lawmaker says such spending is important, considering the number of potential terrorist targets in the state.
"I think we have to defend our homeland," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-New York, responding Wednesday to the President's plan for increased funding of security measures. Schumer says everything from food processing plants to the state's airports need to be made safe from terrorists.
New York's senior senator said he also pleased the President is prepared to reimburse local governments for some of their security costs.
"One of my top jobs when it comes to the budget is to make sure that the federal government reimburses local governments for the extra expenses since September 11th," Schumer said. "It looks like that's very real and very possible in the President's budget."
On the economy, Schumer said he hopes congressional Democrats and Republicans are able to reach a compromise on a tax cut proposal that would benefit middle-class taxpayers.