NEW YORK, NY January 03, 2006 —Local politicians say the federal decision to give high risk cities a larger share of homeland security funding is a step in the right direction.

REPORTER: Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says $765 million is available for 35 metropolitan areas, but it's not guaranteed. Each area will have to present a plan showing how it will spend the money.

CHERTOFF: The fact that you are eligible as a high risk city does not end the analysis. It begins the analysis.

REPORTER: New York, Newark and Jersey City are all included as high risk cities. Also on the list are several counties in New York and New Jersey.