Economic Plan a Vital 1st Step, Boxer Declares : Politics: Senator says reducing the deficit will set the stage for reforming health care and education. She draws mixed reaction at town meeting in Reseda.

Sen. Barbara Boxer got an earful Saturday during a town meeting at Reseda High School, where the California Democrat touted President Clinton’s economic plan to more than 200 people and then fielded questions on issues ranging from local crime to national health care reform.

Boxer’s meeting with constituents--her 10th since being elected to the U.S. Senate--drew a crowd diverse in interests and support, judging by the boos and cheers her statements triggered.

Boxer said Clinton’s plan to reduce the budget deficit through spending cuts and increased taxes on the wealthy is a prerequisite to solving other problems now plaguing this country.

“If we do not pass a plan that has as its major goal budget deficit reduction, we are going to be stymied in anything else we try to do, like reforming health care, making investments in education, new technologies. . . . Everything will be stymied unless we get an economic plan through,” Boxer said.

Some members of the audience challenged Boxer. She drew boos, for example, when mentioning plans to increase taxes for the wealthy and tighten controls on the sale of guns.

John Peterson of Thousand Oaks asked Boxer if she was willing to wager her political career on Clinton’s five-year deficit reduction plan by not seeking a second term should the plan fail.

Boxer replied, “My goal is to get this economy on track. . . . I can only use what God gave me. I will stand before you at whatever time should I decide to run and you’ll be the judge as to whether I was decent, caring and smart enough for you.”

Anthony Pecroaro of Sherman Oaks asked Boxer why she failed to support Mayor Richard Riordan’s plans to privatize Los Angeles International Airport to generate city revenues that could be used to hire more police.

“The crime here in the San Fernando Valley is just out of control,” Pecroaro said.

Boxer said she has no objection to the use of surplus airport funds to increase city spending. But she said she opposes privatizing the airport because the public invested the money to build the airport and it involves public safety.

The senator also responded to questions on illegal immigration by calling for tougher enforcement of existing laws and throwing her support behind proposed laws that stiffen penalties.

“We are a nation of immigrants, but there’s a point at which you have to enforce the law,” Boxer said.

On health care, Boxer said she and colleagues are considering a basic coverage program with different health care choices. “We’re looking at a system where you would be covered from day one until the end,” she said.

Shirley Everett of Granada Hills echoed concerns of others in the audience over the effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement on the standard of living in the United States. The agreement would eliminate trade barriers among the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“There is nothing I have heard at all that makes me believe I could support NAFTA,” responded Boxer, who cited environmental concerns surrounding the treaty and the likelihood that the agreement would trigger job losses in California.

Following the meeting, some members of the audience said they thought Boxer dodged questions.

“She gave a response, but it wasn’t the response to the question asked,” said Helen A. Baker, director of Women For California, a grass-roots group.

Most, however, were pleased with Boxer’s presentation and commended her for meeting with constituents.

“I didn’t agree with her much,” said Chris Boland of Koreatown. “But I thought she did an excellent job.”