Senator Honors Homeland Security Secretary Ridge

State Senator Angela Monson, president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, is applauding Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridges efforts to listen to concerns of state legislators while developing national homeland security policies. Last week Ridge became the first executive branch official to ever win the NCSLs Restoring the Balance award. The honor is given to recognize efforts to restore the balance of power between states and the federal government. Secretary Ridge has developed a staff that is responsive, helpful and dependable. He has steadfastly maintained that homeland security funding for state and local governments should go first to state governments, said Monson, who noted that Ridges office had accepted major elements of NCSLs Task Force on Protecting Democracy. We face a considerable challenge as we work to develop policy that will help ensure homeland security, while not eroding the very foundations of our democracy. Im proud of the work that weve done through NCSL to focus attention on those concerns, said Monson. Congressmen Robert Ney of Ohio and Steny Hoyer of Maryland were also honored for their efforts on election reform. They were determined from the start to reach out to state legislators, legislative staff, county officials and election administrators. They were determined to pass a bill that respected state authority over elections, said Monson, DOKC. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of all fifty states as well as commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.