SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Gray Davis criticized the Bush administration and the Republican-led Congress today for failing to reimburse states for their homeland security costs.

``For all the tough talk coming out of Washington these days, this administration and the Republican leadership in Congress have thus far stuck us with the bill,'' Davis said in the Democratic Party's weekly radio address.

Target-rich California alone is spending more than $500 million a year on increased security after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Davis said. During the recent national upgrade to alert level ``orange,'' the California Highway Patrol spent more than $1 million on extra patrols and precautions over a two-week period, he said.

Davis taped his address before the Homeland Security Department announced late Friday that it would make $566 million in grants available to states to help local public safety officials cover the cost of anti-terrorism efforts.

California is slated to receive the largest share, $45 million.

National Guard troops have been deployed at bridges like San Francisco's Golden Gate, and highway patrol officers have been providing security on in-state airline flights during routine trips under a first-in-the-nation program.

Earlier this week, Davis said at a news conference that, ``We are technically at war; these costs should be reimbursed by Congress.''

Davis and other governors pleaded their case in Washington two weeks ago, repeating a theme they've sounded since shortly after the terrorist attacks.

``We agree with the president that, in order to be strong abroad, we must be strong at home,'' Davis said in his radio remarks. ``But what his administration doesn't tell you is that the burden for homeland security is borne primarily by states and local communities.''

``Last year, the president promised $3.5 billion for first responders. To date, we've received only a tiny fraction of that. States and local communities are standing on the front line, but we're being left to fend for ourselves,'' Davis added.

© 2003 Mercury News and wire service sources