Denish, Cote combine on border security bill
Las Cruces Sun-News report
Posted: 01/24/2010
SANTA FE -- Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, announced new border security legislation Friday to combat increasing criminal activity across the border. House Joint Memorial 9 calls for the designation of four executive agency border liaisons to coordinate efforts with the federal government and counties along the border, ensuring the continued development of cross-border commerce and trade between New Mexico and Mexico.
The liaisons would be designated by the Departments of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Safety, Transportation and the Border Authority, and would provide an international border security perspective in each agency's ongoing strategic planning. Increased coordination between the liaisons and their local and federal counterparts would better leverage state resources and support future economic development in the border region, according to a press release on the memorial. Transportation's liaison would focus particularly on infrastructure needs at vital ports of entry.
"I am honored to carry this legislation for Lt. Gov. Denish and for the people of Dona Ana and Otero counties," Cote said. "Diane Denish understands the importance of secure borders and the role that will play in our region's economic future. Only by first securing our border with Mexico can we continue to expand cross-border commerce through our ports of entry."
House Joint Memorial 9 Text: http://nmlegis.gov/Sessions/10%20Regular/memorials/house/HJM009.html
