Gov. Bill Owens on Thursday issued a sharply worded report defending his administration’s handling of homeland security and dismissing a state Senate committee’s investigation.
In an eight-page response, Owens said the senators showed a “pervasive lack of understanding” of the state’s homeland-security efforts.
In June, the bipartisan committee issued a report that called on the governor to unite the homeland-security duties into a single office.
Owens rejected the Senate committee’s report as “unsubstantiated, irresponsible and one the executive branch will not support.”
Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, chairman of the committee, said the governor has already adopted some of the committee’s recommendations.
“I think it’s great that the governor has pulled his head out of the sand and started a real discussion about homeland security,” Grossman said. “Notwithstanding the hyperdefensive tone of the letter, the administration’s actions speak louder than words.”
Grossman said the Owens administration came up with more than $10 million to help pay for a statewide radio system after the committee launched its inquiry.
The Owens administration appointed an official to look into security of the state’s computer network after the committee began asking questions, Grossman said.
Some issues remain unsolved.
Owens noted that while lawmakers cut off $3 million in funding to a “State Facility Security Fund,” the committee blamed his administration for not identifying a funding stream.
Grossman said he will work with Owens to find the funding.
“It’s time for us to get over the political sniping and engage in a constructive conversation about homeland security,” Grossman said.
Sen. Tom Wiens, a Castle Rock Republican, said lawmakers will consider legislation next year to implement some of the committee’s recommendations if the governor’s office fails to act on them.
The homeland-security committee is scheduled to meet at the Capitol on Monday to discuss the Owens letter and other responses.
Staff writer Mark P. Couch can be reached at 303-820-1794 or mcouch@denverpost.com.
