Stimulus gives Laredo's ports no help

By GARY MARTIN
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 3:22 AM CDT

WASHINGTON - Texas led all states in trade with Mexico last year, but none of the $720 million in stimulus funds to upgrade border land ports is going to the Lone Star State's busiest crossings at Laredo and El Paso, federal officials said.

Earlier this month when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced $300 million to improve ports operated by the General Services Administration in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington and Maine, she didn't mention Texas.

Smaller Texas rural crossings such as Los Ebanos, Falcon Dam and Amistad Dam would receive a portion of $420 million for facilities operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

But the Obama administration has bypassed bustling Texas border ports at Eagle Pass, Del Rio and Brownsville.

"I hope there is no cherry-picking going on that is really based on politics rather than legitimate needs," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

"I don't doubt that there are needs all along the border, but I'm not going to stay quiet if Texas is getting shortchanged," Cornyn said.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, also questioned whether politics played a role in how the funds are being distributed.

Cuellar led efforts by border lawmakers to get funds included in the stimulus package to improve land ports of entry.

The federal General Services Administration last year estimated that it needed $5 billion over 10 years to upgrade facilities.

This month, the GSA submitted details to Congress for $300 million it was given in the stimulus bill for the ports.

The crossing at Nogales, Ariz., would get nearly two-thirds, or $199 million. Otay Mesa, in California, would get $21.2 million, and Columbus, N.M., $2.4 million.

Ports in Maine would get about $41 million, and Washington's Blaine Peace Arch on the Canadian border would get $30 million.

The GSA said political considerations played no role in project selection.

Putting people back to work quickly was the determining factor, officials said. It has slated other projects for funding besides ports.

Overall, the GSA will get $5.5 billion in stimulus funds.

The funds distributed by Customs and Border Protection include money for ports of entry and equipment to "enhance technology and modernize infrastructure," said Jayson Ahern, acting CBP commissioner.

It's unknown how much of the $420 million would go to the facilities at Falcon and Amistad dams or at Los Ebanos, where a ferry shuttles vehicles back and forth across the Rio Grande.

There are 43 smaller CBP-operated border facilities, said Tara Dunlop, a spokeswoman.

"We do not have figures broken down by ports at this time," Dunlop said.

Cuellar said he is pleased that CBP is funding improvements at Falcon Dam and Los Ebanos, although he is frustrated that it cannot provide details or spending amounts.

As for the GSA, Cuellar wants a meeting with officials to explain why none of the large Texas ports are receiving funds to upgrade and improve facilities.

Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in 2008, with $94.1 billion in goods exchanged, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Cuellar said more than 80 percent of all truck traffic with Mexico went through Laredo.

Cornyn said increased trade with Mexico and the need to better inspect cargo prompted him to seek additional funds last year for staffing and equipment.

He was shocked to learn that none of the busiest Texas land ports would receive stimulus funds to upgrade and modernize.

"It's not just about border security," Cornyn said.

"It's also about facilitating legal trade, which is very important to our economy - not just Texas, but for the whole country."

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