Bush Seeks Higher Airline Security Fees By SUZANNE GAMBOA Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - A fee charged to airline travelers to help pay for airport security would more than double under President Bush's proposed spending plan for the Homeland Security Department. Bush's plan, due to be released Feb. 7, would add just $48 million to Homeland Security's overall $41 billion budget, according to a copy of the agency proposal obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. Of that, $6.8 billion is required by law while the rest is appropriated by Congress, which could change the total. Bush's plan calls for boosting the security fee from $2.50 to $5.50 for a one-way airline ticket and from $5 to $8 for a round trip. The hikes are expected to generate $1.5 billion. Another budget provision would set aside $174 million to complete installation of high-speed computer connections to replace dial-up connections used by about half of the nation's airports. Officials of the Transportation Security Administration have said the upgrade is needed because some of the nation's largest airports do not have telephone or computer connections among administrative, screening and baggage areas. That poses a security risk because a problem could occur in one area of an airport and another area may not learn of it right away. The spending proposal also calls for establishing a new office to coordinate programs that collect information about foreign visitors, airline and ship crews, and hazardous materials workers. The plan would provide more money for authorities to crack down on undocumented workers and arrest and deport illegal immigrants, but it would fund only 210 more Border Patrol agents. A bill signed by Bush last year called for 2,000 additional agents. Customs and Border Protection would get $125 million to buy equipment to detect radioactive materials in trucks, trains, cars, air freight, packages and people, including a new generation of monitors that detect gamma and neutron radiation. A Domestic Nuclear Detection Office would be established to develop a system for tracking attempts to bring nuclear or radioactive materials into the country or assemble them for illegal use. At a Senate hearing Wednesday, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, said programs to secure U.S. borders, ports and rail systems were underfunded. But Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, told department officials it was unlikely they would receive more money, so "I would urge a review of your situation as to how to get the job done better with the money that's there now." Roger EWROPS