Homeland Security
Commentary on Answer No.1
One is in agreement with the view expressed regarding the effect of hiking property taxes in order to rebuild damages to infrastructure. The writer is correct that such an action will only result in increasing the burdens of the citizens of New Jersey. Instead of putting the load on the citizens, the government should ensure that critical infrastructures are properly “planned, funded, designed, constructed, and operated as a system”. This means that during the entire life cycle of the infrastructure, it must be sustainable. Funding mechanisms should be in place in case a problem ensues with the system or in cases when it is damaged.
The example presented by the writer regarding the case of New Jersey is appreciated. He should however offer other alternatives that may be implemented to finance the repair of the damages on infrastructure, since he is not in agreement with the proposal by Governor Christie.
Commentary on Answer No. 2
The writer answered the question by citing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) which is a federal reinsurance program pertaining to insurance claims attributed to acts of terrorism. He focused on using the TRIA as a guideline for determining liability in case of infrastructure damage. He failed to take into consideration the impending expiry of the TRIA. If that happens, what guidelines will be followed with regards to insurance claims due to terrorism? Another vital question about the TRIA, which the writer did not mention is whether it has enough funds to pay out in case a major terrorist attack occurs.
The problem however with this reply is that not all infrastructure damages arise from terrorism. What if the damage was due to the structural engineer’s oversight or if it was caused by a natural calamity? Who will then be liable to pay for the damages?
American Society of Civil Engineers Critical Infrastructure Guidance Task Committee. (2009). Guiding principles for the nation's critical infrastructure. Reston, Virginia: American Society of Civil Engineers.
Friedl, R. (2010, July). The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act is set to expire in 2014. What's next? Retrieved from wfis.wellsfargo.com: https://wfis.wellsfargo.com/NewsIndustryInfo/Industry%20Information/Documents/ManagingTerrorismRisk810.pdf
