Homeland security blues

A Los Angeles city panel took steps Monday to accept a $54million grant from the federal government for homeland security this coming year, even amid complaints that federal formulas have reduced the city's share and that the state also is benefiting from the region's efforts.Daily News.

City officials said the money would be used to complete work on a countywide communications system to ensure that law enforcement and fire departments can easily talk with one another during an emergency.

City Council members, however, complained that the grant represents a 2 percent cut from the previous year's amount as larger shares are going to cities such as Houston and San Francisco.