Chertoff's hard decisons to make re: $$$ allocations

(from a transcript. Scroll down past PHILLIPS/COHEN)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Los Angeles International. Chicago skyscrapers, and New York bridges. Think of them as Homeland Security's children. And Michael Chertoff is the parent trying to keep them all satisfied and safe.

LAWRENCE: Chertoff decides who gets more or less money. And this year Arizona was the big winner. Tucson went from off the list to $5 million and Phoenix tripled its allocation to $12 million.

Phoenix is the country's 5th largest city.

But some mayors are crying foul, like New York and Los Angeles.)

LAWRENCE: Risk is actually number two. Population carries the greatest weight in where the dollars go. This year, a new index accounts for cities like Phoenix that are close to the border, or have military bases nearby. It's also home to the nation's largest nuclear power plant.

LAWRENCE: Looking at the numbers, New York actually gained $10 million over last year. Contrast that too those who lost money, like Chicago. Boston officials are boiling at their cutbacks.

They are also hosting the next Super Bowl.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/19/cnr.06.html

I came away with a better appreciation of how the money is allocated, and the study that goes on behind it.

Angeline
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