U.S. and Mexican states may charge to cross border

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. and Mexican states are considering charging a fee for border crossings so they can raise money for infrastructure improvements that would reduce congestion along the border, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Friday. The news came after governors from the 10 border states met with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at the Border Governors Conference in Los Angeles. "Everyone agrees that we need to expand the pipe ... which means that we can get more people across quicker, more efficiently," Schwarzenegger told reporters at a news conference. "And there is a lack of money right now ... maybe people pay a certain amount to come cross. Let's assume $5. Don't hold me to that but that would then pay the bonds so we can develop infrastructure." Other options,... [read full story]