SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif- With no agreement yet on the so-called fiscal cliff negotiations, federal grants are looking at an unclear future.
For example Federal Homeland Security Grants may disappear. Federal Homeland Security grants were originally targeted to fight terrorism, but have since been used in counties all over California for public safety and fighting local crime.
"We've purchased a reverse 911 system with the grant money, the regional hazardous material team has a large response vehicle that they purchased, the bomb task force has received a lot of equipment as well," said Ron Alsop, Emergency Services Manager for San Luis Obispo County.
The problem, these federal grant monies may soon dry up. Due to ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations the state's yearly planning meeting for the grants was canceled. "The state actually canceled the planning meeting for the upcoming next round of Homeland Security grants so we are anticipating a significant cut," said Alsop.
Losing federal grants would affect education as well. According to the National School Board Association federal cuts to K-12 schools could result in a 4-billion dollar cut this fiscal year and further cuts to federal grants for disadvantaged students and individuals with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Justice may also see some changes. It said if a deal can't be reached to avoid going over the so-called fiscal cliff, the number of grants available for example to local police may also decrease.
