Sen. Schumer Wants Homeland Security Funds For Upstate

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer was calling for restored funding for homeland security in the Albany and Syracuse areas.

Schumer was in Albany on Tuesday. He said the Capital Region has the 10th-busiest train station in the country and is an international leader in nanotechnology, in addition to important assets such as the state capitol.

He said those factors make the region more vulnerable to terrorist threats.

The words came after a cut of $913,000 of funding for radios that enable emergency agencies throughout the region to communicate.

The Albany region received $1.9 million in 2009 under the Urban Areas Security Initiative, but the amount was cut in 2010. Syracuse also had its funding cut.

Schumer said he wants funding restored to 2009 levels.

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