NEW COURTS NEEDED

Sen. Hutchison Is Leading The Effort

Senate Bill 147, introduced by U.S. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas,
and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., could prove a huge help to El Paso.

The legislation would give the southern U.S. border 18 more federal judges.
Texas would get four of them, with the Western District -- which includes
El Paso -- acquiring two. There's a really good chance El Paso would get
one of the judges.

They're desperately needed as increasing caseloads, the majority of them
drug-related, bend the dockets along the border. El Paso District Attorney
Jaime Esparza said Senate Bill 147 is welcome news.

"I think it's great news for El Paso," he said. "There's no question that
the caseload has gone up and that we do need the judges.

"Sen. Hutchison has been a great advocate for the border on this issue. And
on my issue (federal reimbursement for prosecution of federal cases), I
think it was her participation that allowed El Paso County to be reimbursed
for the work they do on federal cases. She has been a great help.

"I felt the issue was dead until the new administration came in, but she
and (U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso) continued to fight. She led the
fight until she got $10 million for Texas on reimbursement.

"She's been a great friend to El Paso on border-drug issues."

It's also encouraging to note that Senate Bill 147 has bipartisan
sponsorship. The war against illegal drugs knows no political affiliation
and deserves the united efforts of all legislators.

Lawmakers are encouraged to expedite passage of this legislation.