Furloughs for Feds
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Mar 10, 2013 at 11:09 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Mar 10, 2013
It was just weeks ago that word of the sequestration began to spread.. The affects are already expected soon.
“The furloughs that will start taking place tomorrow with Homeland Security. The agents they already got there letters, or they should get there letters. That really concerns me, because everyone is talking about border security, and then we are taking people out, that doesnt make any sense,” says Mayor Raul Salinas.
Agents out of work one day each pay period.
“In other words two days out of the month border patrol, customs will be on leave with out pay. That’s what it really means,”
Mayor Raul Salinas says federal furloughs are expected throughout the country, but his concern is our Gatway City, the gateway to and from Mexico.
“Obviously that’s my concern in Laredo. If you don’t have people to watch the border you have a reduction of force. It will cause delays in waiting time. That’s what im really concerned about.”
The Mayor and other city officials spoke of the issue in there recent trip to Washington meeting with top leaders including US Senator Ted Cruz.
“I think what resounded is that Cruz showed interest in Laredo, trade in Laredo. I extended him a visit to come to Laredo, and the fact that we cross ten to twelve thousand trucks a day,” says Salinas.
The delegation in DC like every year promoted Laredo as the nations top inland port. Mayor Salinas says he’s postive things will get resolved soon.
“I think we are so fortunate to have Congressman Cuellar in Washington. I think all of us together can get the job done.”
Salinas feels with trips like this Laredo is making its importance clear, and hopes to get through this sequestration soon.
