LaredoBuzz.Com

Sequester is only a part of the story in D.C.

 While the sequester was a major topic of discussion, Mayor Raul G. Salinas, alongside City Manager Carlos Villarreal, and the Laredo delegation told the rest of the story on the first day of their advocacy trip to the nation’s capital.  Joined today by Members of the Laredo City Council, various City staff members, Laredo Community College, private sector partners and others, Laredo made known their needs and took the opportunity to suggest alternative ways to get funding redirected to the nation’s largest in-land port.

 “We offered to carry the advocacy message from the agencies today to the legislative side of the street,” stated Mayor Raul G. Salinas.  “We want these partners here at the federal level to know we are not just asking for a hand out, but offering our assistance in return.  It’s important that we capture all the key information about the effect of the looming, broad budget cuts especially when they could affect our city negatively.”

 This was the immediate tone set at the first Department of Homeland Security (DHS) meeting of the day with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton, and his senior staff members.  Laredo leaders were clear in articulating the message that in our community, Homeland Security is hometown security; And that the rhetoric from some does not match the actions being taken with the budget policy and its effect on that agency specifically.  In the afternoon the City of Laredo continued it rounds with DHS and met with Assistant Secretary Alan Bersin followed by a separate meeting with Acting Chief Operating Officer for Customs and Border Protection Thomas S. Winkowski. 

In other meetings of Day 1, Laredo officials offered the suggestion to review federal funds that may sit unused in other parts of the country and then redirect those to communities still in need.   U.S. Department of Transportation office of Federal Transit Administration, including Administrator Peter Rogoff, reacted to the suggestions by saying it was something that the agency had not looked at and could possibly implement on a competitive basis.  Laredo officials were ready to compete for that potential new pot of money.

 Furthermore, several other agency and partners meetings were a part of a busy agenda including meetings with the Economic Development Agency; Sister Cities International; Department of Justice; Federal Emergency Management Agency; National Endowment for the Arts; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

 The Laredo delegation continues to step up the pace and make its case for more federal resources to be sent towards the community tomorrow.