Senate OKs cash for NYC security during GOP
Original Publisher: New York Newsday
Thomas Frank
Staff Writer

June 25, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The Senate yesterday approved an extra $25 million for New York City to defray growing security costs for the Republican National Convention this summer.

Congress has already given New York $25 million but Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked it last week to double the sum, estimating security would cost $76 million. The initial estimate of $47 million, mostly for police overtime, grew as the police department gave more training to more officers.

New York will pay security costs not covered by the federal government for the convention, which runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Madison Square Garden. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who requested the extra money with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), said, "Most of our convention expenses will be paid for."

The Senate added the money in the 2005 Defense Department budget. The House earlier approved a defense budget without the $25 million. The two bodies must agree to a final budget, which is likely to include the $25 million.

The Senate defense budget also includes an extra $25 million for Boston, host of the Democratic National Convention in late July, which has already received $25 million.