PORTLAND – Maine’s two congressmen joined other Democratic officeholders Monday in accusing the Bush administration of shortchanging state and local efforts to prepare first responders for the war against terrorism.

At a news conference at Portland International Jetport, speakers said President Bush was slashing grants for police and firefighters while pushing tax cuts for the wealthy.

“These are the wrong priorities, the wrong values for America,” said U.S. Rep Tom Allen. “It’s time we, the people, put our first responders before our millionaires.”

Allen said Bush had promised to provide $3.5 billion of “new money” to support first responders, but his budget request seeks only $994 million more than the amount spent last year.

He said the Bush budget for next year would cut $770 million from community policing grants and $250 million from firefighter grants.

Allen was joined by U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, Senate President Beverly Daggett and House Majority Leader John Richardson.