WHITE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE HEARS CITY CONCERNS

A group of influential El Pasoans told a White House representative Tuesday
that their city needs more federal assistance and cited examples of how
local agencies endure the costs of federal policies.

They aired their concerns, and hopes for a solution, at a round-table
discussion at the County Courthouse. It was attended by Mickey Ibarra,
assistant to President Clinton and director of the White House Office on
Intergovernmental Affairs.

"We spend about $8 million prosecuting cases that belong to the federal
government because of our belief in the drug war," District Attorney Jaime
Esparza said. "And we have not had any reimbursement from the government at
all."

State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, echoed Esparza's concerns and said
the burden isn't confined to the courthouse.

"I can give you a dozen examples of us subsidizing the federal government,"
he said.

One example, Shapleigh said, is the increased truck traffic in the area due
to new commerce precipitated by the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Ibarra was receptive to local leaders' concerns and urged them to contact
federal officials.

"The Southwest border clearly is an area in need of more assistance," he
said. "Why is it that El Paso has over 8 percent unemployment when the rest
of the nation is enjoying about 4 percent unemployment? We need to have
more economic development here."

Ibarra said the goal of his visit was to inform local officials about the
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and to listen to what El Paso had to
say. He presented all attendees a list of department heads in Washington,
D.C., who can take calls from local and state government officials.

"We need elected officials in El Paso to help raise awareness of concerns
almost daily," Ibarra said. "I leave here knowing more about the concerns
of El Paso that will help me tomorrow morning at the White House."

Ibarra said he would meet with department directors in the White House and
with Clinton to report on his visit to El Paso.

County Judge Dolores Briones said she was excited about Ibarra's visit and
the round-table discussion.

"I think it's going to help take us to the next level of getting more
attention and support that we merit from the federal government," she said.

City officials, including Mayor Carlos Ramirez, had planned to attend the
discussion but couldn't make it because of a long City Council meeting.