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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 31, 1975)
J Page 2 THE BATTALION FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 1975 Part 8 of 9 New charter empowers local government Associated Press AUSTIN —Texas voters will say Nov. 4 whether a special separate article on local government should be added to the Texas constitution. In the current much-amended constitution provisions concerning cities, counties and the hundreds of special governmental districts are scattered throughout the 63,000 word document. The proposed new constitution gathers everything together in one article called “Local Government. ” Supporters say the proposed ar ticle is perhaps the most far- reaching of the entire constitution. The most important section on Special News Analysis Series local government in the present constitution, on home rule for cities, was added in 1912. Since then Texas has changed from a primarily agricultural state to a major urban state. Opponents say leave the con stitution the way it is, any move will cost money. Feelings on the local govern ment article are widely separated, with a number of urban groups favoring adoption while many rural groups want to keep what they have now. The Texas Municipal League, the statewide organization of city governments, has endorsed the ar ticle, along with the rest of the new constitution. The Texas AFL-CIO says it can not accept the local government ar ticle, along with the judiciary arti cle, but will endorse the rest. Organizations passing resolu tions against the local government article include the Texas Associa tion of counties, the Panhandle Judges and Commissioners Associ- ation, the Gulf Coast Judges and Prosecutors Association and the Dallas County Democratic Execu tive Committee. “It removes too much authority from the people and puts it in the hands of the legislature, ” said the resolution passed by the Panhandle officials. “The many groups for the local government article are happy and excited because of the limited home rule provisions for counties, ” said a spokesman for the Citizens for a Texas Constitution. “They like the ordinance making powers for counties, and the idea that voters can restructure the makeup of county officials.” Local government provisions in the new constitution that are not in the 1876 version include: — Allow county voters to create additional offices, combine the duties and functions of present of fices, or eliminate officess. — Enable county voters to grant ordinance-making power to the county commissioners court or governing body of the county. — Lower the required popula tion for home-rule cities from 5,000 to 1,500. — Establishes a $2 maximum property tax rate per $100 assessed valuation for cities, not including taxes for debt service. Counties would have a $1.25 per $100 valua tion ceiling. The legislature would be required to fix debt limits for cities, counties and school and community junior college districts. The new constitution would re tain the present elected county of ficials as set out in the 1876 con stitution and provides for four-year terms. It also contains a general statement of authority for the legis lature to provide for special dis tricts and authorities by general or local law. Cities and counties also could establish special districts within their boundaries if au thorized by the legislature. Politi- U u H66.6YYVYI WHA’S HAPffelW KIDS? THIS YOUR 5PACCD-OOT BOUDY, MR. HOPPED H£R& TO LAY A F6.LJ UJORLS ON) YA . ABOUT YOUR NU/ASeFvS! Nfc>0 CAN DO SO MO H6AVY STUFF WITH NUMQCRS. URL, IF l HAD THREG FUNNY CI6ARGTT6S, AMD 6AVG YoU TWO/ HOW MANY WOULD l HAVE. LEFT? THREE! YOU ALL KNOW THAT MR. HOPPER DON'T GIVE AWAY HI 5 FUNNY CIEjS! NOW LET'S 60 COUNTDOWN! those BIG TEA) NUfAGROS!! Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the university administration or the Board of Regents. The Battal ion is a non-prof it y self-supporting enterprise operated by stu dents as a university and community newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to being cut to that length or less if longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does not guaran tee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, show the address of the writer and list a telephone number for verifica tion. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Members of the Student Publications Board are: Bob G. Rogers, Chairman; Dr. Gary Halter; Dr. John Hanna; Roger P. Miller; Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Jeff Dunn, Tom Dawsey and Jerri Ward. Director of Student Publications: Gael L. Cooper. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is published in College Station, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods. Sep tember through May, and once a week during summer school. Mail subscriptions are $5.00 per semester; $9.50 per school year; $10.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 5% sales tax. Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatched credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous origin published herein. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein are also reserved. Copyright © 1975, The Battalion. Second-Class.postage paid at College Station, Texas. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association Editor lames Breedlove Assistant Editor Roxie Hearn Production Manager T. C. Gallucci City Editor Steve Gray Campus Editor Sandy Russo Sports Editor Paul McGrath Photography Director Jack Holm Organization of Arab Students in the U.S.A. & Canada Texas A&M Chapter Subject: DAY OF SHAME Participants: STUDENTS FOR RESPONSIBLE EXPRESSION. The Organization of Arab Students wishes to inform the student body at Texas A&M University that the recent pamphlet handed out by S.R.E. is incorrect and lacking in the following areas: Yasir Arafat is not pro-communist as stated. He is neither pro communist nor pro-capitalist. HE IS PRO-LIBERATION. While S.R.E. mentions P.L.O. terrorist activities it fails to nots the continuous slaughter of Palestinian refugees by Israeli bombers in Southern Lebanon. cal subdivisions would be able to contract with other government units from various services and functions. San Antonio Major Lila Coc krell, president of the Texas Municipal League, said that “cities have much to gain fiscally through passage of the new charter, as a consequence of its repeal of pre sent constitutional limits on munic ipal debt. . . because it removes the ‘tax-limited bond stigma from the general obligations of munici pal governments it will save Texas cities $30 to $40 million in un necessary interest costs.” The Texas AFL-CIO said it op posed the local government article because it would allow continued “proliferation” of special tax dis tricts. Jim Brigance, Brazoria County commissioner and incoming presi dent of the Texas County Judge and Commissioners Association, said the document would "give the legislature almost unlimited au thority over nearly every phase of our lives not already regulated by the federal government.” Speaker Bill Clayton told the Texas Association of Counties it was making a mistake by opposing county home rule provisions which would allow voters to change the structure of county govemmen “Are you afraid to let the peg do something for themselves?’ told the association. Clayton warned if counts cials help kill this new constiti they risk future adoptionofa“in liberal” one as Texas grows® urban. Tuesday: Proposed chaiii in the general provisions, THIS HONE WORD 15 REALLY lOOERRlNO ME DODIU! YEAH , SONE OF THESE READING ASSIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN) TOUGH! v OH, IT'S (DOT THE READING THAT vBothers ne. The SILVER FAWN 0/ft ^skop TURQUOISE & STERLING SILVER DO-IT-YOURSELF: Sterling Silver Beads Turquoise Nuggets Cones Hooks & Eyes Shell Heshei Liquid Silver Tiger Tail Cord FED MART SHOPPING CENTER - SUITE 404 COLLEGE STATION 846-7877 AGGIE CINEMA Popular Film Series presents AGGIES! Douglas Jewelry offers Student ID Discounts! 15% off of $ 50 o ° or more 10% off of under $ 50 00 CASH PURCHASE ONLY 212 N. MAIN 822-3119 DOWNTOWN BRYAN THE GREATEST SANDWICH The greatest sandwiches in the Southwest are served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day Monday through Friday on floor 11M, Conference Tower. The greatness of these sand wiches is no accident. There are several types of meats and you can select your choice and mix or match any three pieces for your sandwich on the bread of your choice. Two of the several types of bread are sour dough and baked fresh daily in our Duncan bakery. Further, these breads are prepared without shortening for the diet conscious guest. For the greatest taste tempting delight just make your sandwich exactly like you want it and pop it into one of the handy micro-wave ovens. This wonderful sandwich and a bowl of soup for only $1.50 plus tax will place you on cloud 11M. We agree this is a bit of a long story, but it is difficult to stop talking about our tasty sandwiches. Open Sunday 11:00 A.M*. -1:30 P.M. for regular meal only. “QUALITY FIRST” the 4l /U4JE^orcs, The Original, Uncensored, Unrivaled, Classic of Comedii Classics! f5. cKutu* (^Sc| E Nov. 1 Rudder Theater k Advance Tickets Available at Box Office 2 P.M. &8P^ $1.00 McLaughlin’s of corpus christi THE BEST HAIRCUT OF YOUR LIFE OR YOUR MONEY BACK We truly believe that no other men’s or ladies’ haif stylist in College Station is so dedicated to the artof beauti ful hair sculpture as McLaughlin’s. We cost a little more (Artists don’t come cheap.) But we are very good. For proof we make this offer: Let us cut your hair. Wear it for 10 days. If you’re not showered with compliments we ll happily refund your money. CALL 846-5764 FOR APPOINTMENT 1403 UNIVERSITY DR. COLLEGE STATION 1 WHO’S WHO RECIPIENTS THE FOLLOWING TIME PERIODS ARE ES TABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING! THE PHOTOGRAPH FOR THE WHO'S WHO SECTION OF THE AGGIELAND ’76. THE DEADLINE FOR ALL WHO'S WHO PHOTOS IS NOVEMBER 14, 1975, AND THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSIONS. ANITA WILLIAMS, SECTION EDITOR OF WHO’S WHO, WILL CONTACt EACH RECIPIENT FOR A SCHEDULED TIME SLOT. IF ANY QUESTIONS CALL 845-2611 MONDAY 9-11:30am 4-8:00 pi TUESDAY 10- 5:00pm 6-8:00 pi WEDNESDAY 9-11:30am 4-8:00 pi THURSDAY 9-12:30pm 6:30-8:00pi FRIDAY 9-12:00 noon DATES OPEN FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY ARE OCTOBER 30 OCTOBER 31 NOVEMBER 3-7 NOVEMBER 10-K