Pubdate: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 Source: USA Today (US) Section: Pg 2A Copyright: 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc Contact: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466 Author: Emily Bazar ARIZ., N.M., DECLARE EMERGENCIES The governors of Arizona and New Mexico have declared states of emergency along their southern borders, arguing that the federal government hasn't done enough to combat drug trafficking, vandalism and other crimes associated with illegal immigration from Mexico. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano took action Monday, funneling $1.5 million in state money to four border counties. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson acted last Friday after an aerial border tour, pledging $1.75 million in emergency state funding, also to four counties. The governors, both Democrats, say the money will be used to add police to border areas, pay overtime and purchase crime-deterring equipment. They say the federal government should secure the border and help pay state and local costs incurred from illegal immigration. On Thursday, California's state Assembly leader, Fabian Nuez, called on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to follow their lead. "I'm not going to tolerate violent criminal activity," explains Richardson, who says he didn't see any Border Patrol agents during his helicopter tour. "That's what this undocumented criminal crisis is breeding: illegal drug smuggling, kidnapping, trafficking of people and narcotics." The violence, fueled by warring drug cartels, prompted the State Department earlier this year to warn American citizens considering border visits. Republican critics charge that the governors' declarations are politically motivated. Bill Christiansen, executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, says problems have been festering on the border for years. "Why did it take (Napolitano) so long to get to the point she's at?" he asks. Roxanne Rivera, spokeswoman for the Republican Party of New Mexico, says Richardson is trying to gain votes. "He is being absolutely disingenuous with the citizens of my state," Rivera says. In declaring an emergency, she says, Richardson "has finally come around to what Republicans in New Mexico have been saying for a long time." Richardson brushes aside the accusations. "This is just being a governor, protecting my border and constituents," he says. Earl Black, a political scientist at Rice University in Houston, says the declarations show that concern over illegal immigration "cuts across party lines." "The problem has reached the point where those governors are getting enough reaction from presumably their supporters as well as their political opponents," Black says. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth