Higgins wants hearings on security cuts

BUFFALO — New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins is pressing a House committee to hold hearings to examine planned cuts to anti-terrorism funding for cities.

The Department of Homeland Security last week notified 30 cities around the country that they won’t get Urban Areas Security Initiative money in this year’s budget. The Buffalo area that Higgins represents is among cities set to lose funding, after getting more than $5 million last year.

Higgins and other Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security sent a letter to the committee chairman Tuesday seeking oversight hearings as well as field hearings in Buffalo and other cities.

Homeland Security officials say the program took a big hit in congressional budget cuts and the priority became 31 high-threat urban areas, including New York City and Washington.