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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 20, 1989)
Texas’ fabled skies now among nation’s dirtiest, EPA says WASHINGTON (AP) — The fabled wide-open skies above Texas are now among the coun try’s dirtiest, according to a gov ernment inventory released Mon day that finds the state leads the nation in industrial air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency’s inventory also found Texas ranked first in on-site land disposal of toxic chemicals, third in both chemical discharges into surface water and public sewage systems, and second in under ground injections of toxic chemi cals. leased directly from .manutactur- ing facilities into the air, water land or underground wells in 1987. An additional 20 percent was transferred from the origi nating facilities to other sites, in cluding public sewage systems or incinerators. Of the 25 counties that account for the largest releases and trans fers of toxic chemicals, Texas has Harris, in second place; Workers’ comp remains a hot issi Clements calls special session to address 2-year-old problem EPA said the state also ranks second in the amount of waste transferred from an industrial site to another location, including across state lines. Roger Meacham, EPA spokes man in Dallas, said the state’s heavy concentration Of petro chemical companies and refine ries were largely responsible for Calhoun, third; Brazoria, sixth; Milam, eighth; Jefferson, ninth; and Galveston, 25th. EPA warned that the 18 billion pounds of TRI releases and 4.6 billion pounds of transfers “are not an indicator of human or en vironmental exposure to these chemicals.” the state’s toxic air emissions. Meacham said people “should be concerned but not alarmed” by the survey’s findings, and that EPA and its state counterparts “need to move expeditiously to better control these releases.” But Daniel Weiss, Washington director of the Sierra Club’s pol lution program, said the EPA’s inventory “reinforces the crying need for dramatic reductions in airborne toxic emissions to pro tect Texans’ health.” EPA’s inventory found Texas industries released 239 million pounds of toxins into the air in 1987, accounting for 9 percent of the national total. The EPA’s Toxic Release In ventory (TRI) said industries re ported releasing 22.5 billion pounds of toxic chemicals in 1987, with about 80 percent re- “The air is the greatest source of exposure to toxic chemicals,” said Weiss. An adult breathes 10,000 to 20,000 liters of air a day, compared with drinking two liters of water. AUSTIN (AP) — A single issue — reform of the Texas workers’ com pensation system — is behind the special legislative session that begins Tuesday. Lawmakers began studying the system in 1987, and two years later they have failed to agree on the problem, let alone the solution. Here are some questions and an swers about the issue that has forced legislative overtime: Q: What is workers’ compensa tion? A: It is insurance purchased by employers to cover medical and other expenses, including some lost wages, of employees who are hurt or killed in on-the-job accidents. In return for these benefits, the employer is immune from being sued by the employee, regardless of who is at fault for the injury. This is what is termed a no-fault system, and constitutes the overriding incen tive for employers to purchase work ers’ comp insurance. In 1988, the Industrial Accident Board handled approximately 177,000 individual cases for workers who were injured seriously enough to qualify for workers’ comp bene fits. Q: Is workers’ comp insurance mandatory for employers? A: No. Texas is one of only three states that doesn’t require employers to purchase workers’ comp insur ance. According to the Industrial Accident Board, some 360,000 Texas employers buy workers comp insurance, while about 100,000 do not. In 1988, Texas employers paid approximately $2.9 billion in work ers’ comp insurance. Q: What are the major disputes over workers’ comp? A: Businesses have been hit with increases of 148 percent over the past four years in workers’ comp premiums. They blame the present system, which allows disputed work ers’ comp claims to be appealed to a state district court in a jury trial. In the jury trial, the previous ruling of the Industrial Accident Board is not admissible. Only three states have this kind of system. But trial lawyers, who represent injured workers in court, and labor organizations blame the increases on greedy insurance companies and stingy employers who fan to provide a safe workplace. Since Texas ranks among the leaders in job-related in juries and deaths, they argue that re ducing the number of injuries will in turn reduce workers’ comp premi ums. Of the 177,000 cases handled last year, about 500 went to ajury trial. Businesses also argue that a new system of figuring benefits is needed to provide stability to the system. Employers want an "impairment sys- tenr’ where compensation is based on what part of the body was injured and how badly. But trial lawyers defend the cur rent system, which is based# lost wage earning capacity ofll jured worker. Q: What happened duriiij regular session on workers’coit; A: In the final analysis, That is why Gov. Bill Clet called a special legislation sessit: Lawmakers spent $4 5 0,000 interim legislative report on ers’ comp. « But the House, which prod bill supported by business, Senate, which approved a I ing toward labor and trial law) could not agree on a compromisi Parmer declines race for House post says Jim Wright should keep seat FORT WORTH (AP) — Rep. Jim Wright’s congres sional seat should be his to keep if he wants, says the man most often mentioned as a likely candidate to suc ceed him. “I certainly think Jim Wright is the person who could be the best congressman for Fort Worth and the 12th District,” state Sen. Hugh Parmer said Monday in de clining to seek the congressional post himself. “The vast majority of people in Fort Worth believe that while Jim may have made some mistakes of judgment, as Jim has admitted ... it did not warrant the kind of penalty or price that he is talking about pay ing,” the Fort Worth Democrat said. Wright resigned as Speaker of the House on May 31 and said he’d resign his congessional seat by the end of June to end a furor in Congress over allegations he vio lated House ethics. Wright spokesman Mark Johnson said Monday the congressman was gratified by supporters’ suggestions that he keep the seat or run for it again, but “he is not encouraging this and his plans have not changed “He is proceeding with the transition" into pm life by the end of June, Johnson said, though non nation date has been set. Parmer, a longtime friend of Wright, said hetoMj congressman of his decision last week. Asked whether Wright still planned to leaveoS | Parmer said, “I would say that he said neither yes, | no. He simply listened to what I had to say." “He is by far the dominant figure of the Demra 1 party in this county,” Parmer said, citing recenlp | that found district voters still view Wright favorabk Texas Gov. Bill Clements has two options for 11 | congressional vacancy. If he deems the situatioi E emergency, he could order a special election from 50 days after receipt of the resignation letter, Oil wise, the election would be set on the next uniforms tion day, Aug. 12. Speculation on possible Wright successors ranged across the political spectrum, but Parmer) most often mentioned as a possible candidate. Summer 89 Classes Register Now MSC Basement 845-1631 Register Now ARTS & CRAFTS BUSINESS DANCE LANGUAGES SPECIAL INTEREST Airbrush: T/Th. June 20 - July 18 6-8pm $28/student $30/nonstudent Stained Glaaa: Wed. June 21 - July 19 6-9pm $25/student $27/nonstudent BacCcet Weaving: Wed. July 5 - 26 6-9pm $16/student $ 18/nonstudent Etched Glaaa Wed. July 12 6-9pm $ 10/student $ 12/nonstudent Calligraphy: Wed. June 21 - Aug 2 7-9pm $23/student $25/nonstudent Matting A Framing: Wed. June 21 - July 12 5:15-7:15pm Wed. June 21 - July 12 7:30-9:30pm $2 5/student $27/nonstudent Counted Cross Stitch: Wed. June 21 - July 5 6-8pm $10/student $ 12/nonstudent Accounting for Small Business Thurs. June 22 - Aug 10 6-8pm $28/student $30/nonstudent Basics of Investing: Tues. June 20, 27, July 11. 18, 25 7:30-9pm $15/student $ 17/nonstudent Career Counseling: Thurs. June 22, 29, July 6, 13 6-8pm $14/student $16/nonstudent Interviewing: Mon. July 24 6-9pm $8/student $ 10/nonstudent Resume Writing: Mon. July 17 6-9ptn $8/student $ 10/nonstudent Business Etiquette for Success: M/W, July 10, 12. 17. 19. 24, 26 8-9:30pm $10/student $ 12/nonstudent Stress Management: M/W, June 26- July 17 6:30-8:30pm $20/student $22/nonstudent Beg Country A Western Dance: Wed. June 21, 28. July 12. 19, 26 6-7:15pm $20/student $22/nonstudent Adv. Country A Western Dance: Wed. June 21, 28, July 12, 19. 26 7:30-8:45pm $20/student $22/nonstudent Beginning Jitterbug: Mon. June 19, 26, July 10. 17, 24 7-8:15pm Mon. June 19, 26. July 10, 17, 24 8:30-9:45pm $18/student $20/nonstudent Ballroom Dancing: Tues. July 11, 18. 25, Aug 1, 8 7:30-9pm $18/student $20/nonstudent WOODWORKING Beginning Woodworking: Thurs, June 22 - July 13 6:30-9pm Mon. July 17 - Aug 7 6:30-9pm $27/student $29/nonstudent $20 fee Quilting: Mon. June 19 - July 17 1 -3pm Class meets off campus. Jewelry Casting Seminar : Sat. & Sun. June 24 & 25 9am-12noon & l-4pm each day $38/student $40/nonstudent Pottery - Wheel Throwing: Wed. June 21 - July 26 7:30-9:30pm Thurs. June 29 - Aug 3 7:30-9:30pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Image Consulting - Career of the 90’8 Wed. July 12. 19. 26. Aug 2 6:30-8:30pm $15/student $ 17/nonstudent Developing Business Image and Style: Tues. July 11, 18, 25. Aug 1 6- 8pm $14/student $ 16/nonstudent Public Speaking and Communication: M/W, July 10 - Aug 2 7- 8:30pm $20/ student $22/nonstudent Wooden Toys: Wed. July 12. 19. 26, Aug 2 6-8pm $ 15/student $ 17/nonstudent Decoy Carving: Tues. July 11 - Aug 8 6:30-9:30pm $30/student $32/nonstudent American Sign Language: T/Th. June 27 - Aug 1 6-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Conversational Chinese: T/Th. June 27 - Aug 8 6:30-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent English as a Second Language (ESL): M/W. June 26 - Aug 7 6:30-8:30pm $40/student $42/nonstudent Conversational French: M/W. June 26 - Aug 7 6:30-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Conversational German: M/W, June 26 - Aug 7 6:30-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Conversational Italian: T/Th. June 27 - Aug 8 6:30-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Conversational Japanese : T/Th, June 27 - Aug 8 6:30-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Conversational Russian: T/Th, June 27 - Aug 8 6:30-8pm $25/student $27/nonstudent Conversational Spanish: M/W, June 26 - Aug 7 6:30-8pm Auto Mechanics: Thurs. June 29 - July 27 7-9pm $18/student $20/nonstudent Platt Tour Own Wedding: Mo.% July 10-31 6-8pm $14/stuient $16/nonstudent Bike Maintenance: Thurs. June 22 - July 13 7-9pm (6-10pm last class) Tues. July 18 - Aug 8 7-9pm (6-10pm last class) $16/student $ 18/nonstudent Herb Gardening: Tues. June 27 - Aug 1 7-8pm $8/student $ 10/nonstudent Home Landscaping: Wed. June 28 - July 26 7-9:30ptn $20/student $22/nonstudent Togs. M/W, June 26 - Aug 7 8:30-9:30pm T/Th. June 27 - Aug 8 8:30-9:30pm $20/student $22/nonstudent Image Consulting - Career of the 90's Wed. July 12. 19. 26. Aug 2 6:30-8:30pm $15/student $ 17/nonstudent JUST FOR FUN PHOTOGRfiPHY HEALTH CPR; M/W, June 19, 21 6-10pm Fabric Painting A Stenciling: Thurs. June 29, July 6 6-8pm Th:rrs. July 20. 27 6-8pm $10/student $12/nonstudent Drawing: Thurs. June 29 - Aug 3 $30/student $32/nonstudent T/Th. Aug 1, 3 6-10pm $ 14/student $ 16 /nonstud ent Nutrition On The Go: M/W. June 19. 21, 26, 28 7-8pm $10/student $ 12/nonstudent Water color: Tues. June 20 6-8:30pm Thurs. June 22 6-8:30pm Sat. June 24 10am-3pm Thurs. Aug 3 6-8:30pm Sat. Aug 5 10am-3pm Tues. Aug 8 6-8:30pm $18/student $20/nonstudent Six Days To Stress Relief : M/W, June 26 - July 17 6:30-8:30pm $20/student $22/nonstudent First Aid: T/Th. July 18, 20. 25. 27 6- 9pm $20/stud ent $22/non stud ent I Quit Smoking, So Can Tout Wed. June 21, 28. July 5. 12, 19, 26 7- 8:30pm $18/student $20/nonstudent The Visual Art Of Photography: Thurs. July 6, 13, 20, 27 7-9pm $17/student $ 19/nonstudent Beginning Black A White Darkroom Sat. June 24. July 8. 15 9-12noon $25/student $2 7/nonstudent Sat. July 22. 29. Aug 5 9-12noon $25/student $27/nonstudent Studio Photography: Sat. July 8, 15 9-12noon $25/student $27/nonstudent COMPUTERS Intro to Macintosh Computer: T/Th, June 20, 22 OR July 11. 13 6-7:45pm $15/student $ 18/nonstudent Macintosh Word Processing: T/Th. June 27, 29 OR July 18, 20 6-7:45pm $15/student $ 18/nonstudent T/Th, June 27 - Aug 8 6:30-8pm T/Th, June 27 - Aug 8 8:30-10pm $25/student $27/nonstudent SELF HELP Personality Enhancement: Thurs. July 20, 27 6-9pm $12/student $14/nonstudent Get Yourself Organized: Tues. July 11, 18, 25. Aug 1 6- 7:30pm $12/student $ 14/nonstudent Assertiveness Training: Mon. June 19, 26, July 10, 17 7- 8:30pm $12/student $ 14/nonstudent How to say "NO": Mon. July 24, 31, Aug 7 7-8:30pm $10/student $ 12/nonstudent Stay Safe - Personal Safety: Thurs. June 29 6-9pm $5/student $7/nonstudent Property Protection Thurs. July 13 6-9pm $5/student $7/nonstudent Juggling: Wed. June 21, 28, July 5, 6-8:30pm 12 Tues. July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1 6- 8:30pm $10/student $12/nons;udent Bartending: . M/W. June 26-July 31 7- 10pm $38/student $40/nonstudent Basic Camcorder and VCR Tech: Mon. July 10. 17, 24. 31 7-9pm $20/student $22/nonstudent Beginning Guitar: T/Th, June 27 - July 25 7-8:30pm $25/student $27/non stud ent Children Can Cook ! T/Th, June 20 - 29 2-4pm M/W, July 31 - Aug 9 2-4pm Class meets off campus $24 fee Cake Decorating: Tues. June 20, 27 6-9pm Tues. Aug 1, 8 6-9pm $12/student $ 14/nonstudent INYADS, BUT REAL HEAVYWEIGHTS WHEN RESU11S REALLY C o mailer wta you've go to sai or sell, our Classi fieds can help you do the big jolr. Battalioi Classify 845-2611 DEFI TICKE' Jun Ju PI $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 Indiv $50 m us $50 in a i $50 tope $50 $5C $200 $2 $200 $200 $200 \A $200 in $200 ' P $200 ti( : $200 $2 Do yoi month pate in those c CA CO (f The c your: soft c lense: conta years lense: