The Governor is forming a new “California Maritime Security Council,” with the goal of increasing security at the state’s ports. Schwarzenegger issued an executive order creating the council today. It’ll be made up of local, state and federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the Coast Guard. The Governor says they’ll coordinate resources and develop a security strategy. He says it’s not just a state issue – but one with national implications.
Schwarzenegger: Our state handles nearly half of all the port traffic in the United States. And our ports are absolutely vital, not only to California’s economy and the U.S. economy but also to the world economy.
President Bush is also expected to sign into law a bill that will free up $400 million a year for five years for port security nationwide. It changes the way the grants are handed out, which Schwarzenegger says will ensure California ports won’t be shortchanged, as he says they have been in the past.
