Senator Gooley in Detroit to Discuss Cross Border Travel and Trade

For Immediate Release

March 3, 2008

(AUGUSTA, ME) – State Senator Walter Gooley (R-Franklin County) met with high-ranking state government and Canadian provincial officials last week in Detroit to discuss priorities on cross border travel and trade as part of the Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference (CSG/ERC) seminar on United States-Canada border relations.

CSG/ERC was among the first of the state policy organizations to raise concerns with members of Congress about the harmful impact of the Western Hemisphere Initiative (WHTI) affecting travel and trade between the U.S. and Canada. CSG/ERC offered a unique international perspective on this issue during the two-day conference.

“Canada and the U.S. enjoy a very close relationship. In addition to being the largest bilateral trading partners in the world with more than $1.3 billion ion goods and services crossing the border every day, our two countries face many similar social and economic challenges. CSG/ERC provides us with the credible forum to discuss and to act on issue of common concern,” said MNA Russell Copeman, past CSG/ERC Chairman.

“The policy challenges regarding the border that we face in Maine are not unlike those faced by our neighbors, “Senator Gooley said. “Sharing solutions to our common problems is very useful, and working together to push regional priorities at the federal level is a proven formula for success.”

The conference included discussions on Alternatives to the Passport Requirement, Security Technology for Enhanced IDs and Business Perspectives on WHTI. Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security were also present to offer their point of view.

“This conference was a great opportunity to discuss with other states as well as leaders from Canada ways that we can enhance our security while maintaining our close relationship. It is important for Maine to be a leader on these issues as the affect most of our citizens in one way or another.”

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