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State board angers AFL-CIO,
denies participation in hearing
Fate of workers ’ compensation rate hangs in b alance
hi
AUSTIN (AP) — The State Board of Insur
ance outraged labor leaders Tuesday by refusing
to allow the state’s largest labor union to partici-
ate as a party in the workers’ compensation rate
earing.
“I knew they’d screw us. I just didn’t think they
would do it in public,” said Joe Gunn, president
of the Texas AFL-CIO. But, he said, “this doesn’t
surprise me. You’ve got the fox guarding the
henhouse over there.”
The action prohibits the Texas AFL-CIO,
which represents 230,000 members, from cross-
examining witnesses in the rate hearings. The la
bor organization was the only group rejected by
the Insurance Board to participate as a party, or
intervenor, in the weeklong hearing.
The three-member insurance board unani
mously accepted as interveners groups rep
resenting the insurance industry, consumers,
trial lawyers, and business.
Workers’ compensation is insurance pur
chased by an employer to cover expenses for em
ployees who are injured or die on the job.
Lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully all year
to reform the Texas workers’ comp system,
which has been criticized for high premiums and
low benefits. The Legislature will meet again in a
special session in November to tackle the prob
lem another time.
The AFL-CIO said workers have a direct stake
in the rate hearing because the Insurance
Board’s action could affect employees statewide.
Board member Richard Reynolds of Flower
“I
I knew they’d screw us. I just
didn’t think they would do it in public
... this doesn’t surprise me. You’ve
got the fox guarding the henhouse
over there.”
— Joe Gunn,
President, Texas AFL-CIO.
Mound led the 2-1 vote against the AFL-CIO,
saying labor’s concerns over job safety were not
relevant to setting rates for workers’ comp insur
ance.
Board chairman Paul Wrotenbery of Austin,
however, voted for labor, saying he was “hesitant
to exclude” any group.
But Jo Ann Howard of Austin voted with Rey
nolds, saying she wanted to allow only interve
ners who could testify on what rate should be
granted.
The insurance industry has requested a 34.9
percent rate increase, while the state’s insurance
consumer office has recommended a 17.5 per
cent increase and the board staff, an 11.5 percent
increase.
Ellen Widess, a consultant to the AFL-CIO,
said further increases in workers’ comp insur
ance — which has risen 148 percent over the past
four years — may force more employers to drop
coverage, thus leaving workers unprotected and
unable to get benefits if they are injured.
“Our interests are on behalf of hundreds of
thousands of workers,” she told the board.
Earlier, Kay Doughty, general counsel for the
Office of Consumer Protection, objected to al
lowing the insurance industry to participate as a
party in the hearing.
Doughty said the National Council on Com
pensation Insurance has a conflict of interest be
cause it represents insurers while also supplying
data that the board considers when approving a
rate structure.
Air Force begins investigation
of fatal F-16 fighter jet crash
CARSWELL AIR FORCE BASE
(AP) — Air Force investigators said
Tuesday they will gather facts over
the next 30 days and then recons
truct the crash of an F-16 fighter jet
that killed two men after the aircraft
slammed into the ground at Carswell
Air Force Base in Fort Worth Sun
day.
The FBI, meanwhile, discounted
a report that a terrorist might have
been responsible for the crash, al
though federal agents are searching
for a man who made a telephone call
daiming responsibility.
The pilot, Maj. Robert K. Tucker,
37, and back-seat passenger. Marine
Capt. James T. Bourne, 33, were
killed in the accident.
Col. David R. Smith, president of
the Accident Investigation Board for
the Air Force, said a flight data box
from the F-16 had been recovered
from the plane’s debris, which was
scattered over a runway at Carswell.
Smith said investigators had not
yet examined any recordings from
the box. Five Air Force officials
make up the board investigating the
crash. The investigation is expected
to last eight to 12 months.
Capt. Barbara Carr said Tucker
was preparing to simulate the bomb
ing of a row of F-4 jets parked on an
apron at Carswell when his plane
slammed into the ground.
Bourne was taking part in an in
tramilitary program in which mem
bers of the different branches ob
serve each other in action, said Air
Force Capt. Barbara Carr.
Tucker’s jet crashed while he was
banking to the right to head toward
the F-4s, Carr said.
Instead, Tucker’s jet hurtled into
the ground and disintegrated on im
pact.
Air Force investigators discounted
the possibility that the F-16’s wing
hit the ground while making its turn
—causing the aircraft to crash.
Texas, Tokyo tout trade expansion
TOKYO (AP) — Suite officials are taking steps to ex-
f and trade with Japan with a new Texas office in To-
yo.
“This new office is symbolic of a new commitment to
our relationship to promote the prosperity of Japan
and Texas,” State Rep. Alvin R. Granoff said Tuesday
in ceremonies opening the office.
Granoff, a Democrat from Dallas, was one of 57 Tex
ans attending the 16th annual Japan-Texas conference,
a four-day event aimed at promoting trade, business
opportunities and other exchanges.
“We are pleased to have our office in your country so
we can learn more about what we can offer each other,”
Granoff told a news conference.
Japan is Texas’ third largest export market, with ex
ports here totaling $27.4 billion in 1988. Japan buys
Texan electronic products, computer equipment, ma
chinery, oil refining equipment and agricultural prod
ucts.
Japan is the largest exporter to Texas, followed by
West Germany.
“I believe it is Texas that enjoys (a trade) surplus,”
said Rebecca Reynolds Bannister, a director of the
Texas Department of Commerce. But she said a figure
for Japanese exports to the second-largest U.S. state
was not readily available because some products en
tered via ports in other states.
State Rep. Barry Connelly said the office represents
“a commitment of the entire Texas government.”
He added: “Mr. Granoff is a member of the Demo
cratic Party and I’m a member of the Republican Party.
So we both are sitting here today committed to the eco
nomic development of our state. There’s no politics
when it comes to that.”
Unlikely duo
rallies support
to save school
AMARILLO (AP) — It was a
match made in elementary
school.
Comedian-actor Bill Cosby and
oilman-corporate raider T.
Boone Pickens joined Monday
night to raise money to keep Car
ver Elementary Academy open.
The school, which uses com
puter-based instruction, opened
this fall. It was the first elemen
tary to be opened in Amarillo’s
predominantly minority North
Heights section in 17 years.
“Remember what I did tonight
for you,” Cosby told about 50
Carver second-graders before his
performance, which netted
$175,000 for the school’s budget.
“You’re looking at a grown-up
who could be home with his wife,
sitting there watching Monday
Night Football.
“I gave this up to come here
and save your school,” Cosby
added in mock seriousness. “At
least you could study and become
something.”
Until Pickens’ Mesa Limited
Partnership promised in March
to contribute more than $400,000
to the school district, Carver’s fu
ture was in doubt.
Mesa agreed to “adopt” the
school by paying half its esti
mated $850,000 operating bud
get during the first two years and
to find other private funding.
Join the PARTY!
Slake] thei|H
t.u. Challenge
Thursday, Oct. 19
8:30 -11:30
in the Grove
Live performance by XIT
Mocktail Mix-off Competition
BEVO s Funeral
Guest speaker - Dr. Talmadge
Informational booths
Door prizes
FREE refreshments
Texas ASM challenged t.u. to see who can throw the best campus-wide party
w
CHsCHzQH
Cii Cflr.,,.. 0,.r H
FREE FLYING LESSONS
With Purchase of Radio Control Air Plane Set
10% discount on any R/C airplane, car or
Helicopter set with this coupon
-Stunt Kites
-Plastic Models
-Balsa & Bass Wood
\Aonl&
Hobbies & Crafts
823-0916
-R/C Headquarters
-Boats & Trains
-Art Supplies
FREE WINDSHIELD
REPLACEMENT*
Bring your insurance claims to us and we will pay your
deductible up to $50.00.
AAA AUTO GLASS
2111 S. College
Bryan Paint & Glass
779-1011
AM/PM Clinics
• Minor Emergencies
• General Medical Care
• Weight Reduction Program
10% Student Discount with I.D. Card
CLINICS
846-4756
3820 Texas
(next to Randy Sims)
693-0202
2305 Texas Ave S.
(next to U Rent M) College Station
779-4756
401 S. Texas
(29th & Texas)
® A-'
(UGWIIiaSAIL
£\(N]|d) S[j*0£\©IK
CHINESE LUNCH SPECIAL $2.00 and up
CHINESE DINNER SPECIAL $3.19
DAILY DINNER BUFFET $3.99
SATURDAY & SUNDAY LUNCH BUFFET $3.99
Sunday Night Student Special
32 oz. Free Drink with Dinner Buffet (Show I.D.)
Imported Oriental Groceries & Extotic Foods
All Within Walking Distance of Campus
Across From Blocker Bldg. & St. Mary Center
110 Nagle St. Ph. #846-1210
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