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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 1990)
Monday^April 9,1990 The Battalion Page 7 19S | House readies for finance vote ro \ it'j i Lewis hopes to have enough votes to pass $450 million bill :en beat? ^4 Yuu!!. Gw 51 BE r H£ AiR SMEti; -vi i rtnevi: i length I the tm ; great, es | solo t; Stand;:: es dun:; when:| is Tujl In tllC “Take. 1 fromi ,’hich to: ig "Rot ‘Listen! te possiil '’s perfo; Die" (ye >vie) dte> explosiot uring tit es. miring 1 ret a go« ; moden 1 the sb it. gs, dot ind ontk ime I b terns tk o harsh tf ienceitt. trance * t die-hatt nd of tk leyputm AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House, stumped in its last attempt to pass a school finance reform bul, is to try again today with little more than three weeks to spare before the Legislature hits a May 1 court dead line for change. Speaker Gib Lewis has worked on squeezing enough votes out of the 150-member House to pass a $450 million school finance bill, paving the way for a conference committee to try to hammer out differences be tween it and a Senate measure to spend $1.2 billion more next school year. “We’ve got an obligation here, and that is to draft a school finance bill and fund it,” Lewis, D-Fort Worth, said. “I’m going to do every thing in my power to pass a bill” that will meet court muster. Lawmakers are in their second special session to try to address a Texas Supreme Court ruling that the school finance system is uncon stitutional because of disparities in funding available to property-rich and -poor districts. The court gave lawmakers until May 1 to reform the $13.5 billion-a- year system, which relies on a combi nation of local property taxes, state aid and some federal funds. Today, Lewis is trying to avoid a repeat of last session’s 101-45 vote against a $511 million reform bill, with some lawmakers saying it cost too much, some saying it cost too little and others complaining that state mandates would be too costly for schools to implement. But a number of lawmakers — in cluding Republicans and Hispanics who voted against the measure last time — say they still aren’t satisfied Paper refuses to endorse candidates WICHITA FALLS (AP) — Ed itors of the Wichita Falls Times Record News refused to endorse Jim Mattox or Ann Richards in the Democratic runoff, calling in stead for Texans to write in for mer San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros for governor. The newspaper in’Sunday’s ed itorial also rejected GOP guber natorial nominee Clayton Wil liams, saying Texas has had enough “government-by-buf foons.” “Cisneros built bridges in San Antonio, bridges between peo ples,” the newspaper said. “If Henry Cisneros could apply his visionary thinking to the prob lems confronting Texas along with a spirit of unity rather than ... the two warring political par ties, then we would all be better served,” the paper said. “Write in Cisneros. Then watch Texas go.” Cisneros’ wife, Mary Alice, told of the endorsement, said, “Wow.” She added the former mayor was in El Paso on Sunday, cam paigning for Richards for the en tire day. The First Hispanic mayor of San Antonio, Cisneros served from 1981 to 1989. He decided not to run again in 1988, citing personal problems. Cisneros has backed Richards in the gubernatorial race, appear ing with her on the campaign trail. drafting an alternative measure that will be offered if the initial bill is turned down. Gov. Bill Clements, who has vowed to veto new taxes for school finance reform, has said he would accept a $450 million school finance bill if lawmakers can fund it through cuts in other areas of the state bud get. Besides finance changes, the bill contains provisions supporters say would make the education system better. One provision would have the governor appoint the education commissioner — from a list of rec ommendations by legislative leaders and with Senate consent — rather than by the State Board of Educa tion. The Education Board, which currently makes rules on education policy, instead would make recom mendations to the commissioner and Legislature. Among other items, the bill also provides for a facilities grant to be gin in 1991-92; a technology allot ment fund beginning in 1992-93; and exemptions from state regula tions for school districts rated as ex emplary. The proposed exemptions have been criticized by some who don’t want any schools to be allowed to waive the 22:1 student-teacher limit set for lower grades under sweeping education reforms approved in 1984. “If there’s one thing that we’ve done right in the last half-dozen with the new measure Lewis has Some are preparing substitute years, that (class-size limit) was it,” been pushing. bills, and Lewis also is involved in said Rep. Paul Colbert, D-Houston. Birds fall prey to lure of open chemical tanks Oil pits double as death traps needs drastic change HOUSTON (AP) — A diverse coalition of Houston legislators has outlined two different plans to revamp the Houston Indepen dent School District, which some leaders believe has grown out of touch with parents and taxpayers. One proposal involves dividing H1SD into smaller, more man ageable districts. The other idea includes the creation of parent councils with extensive policy making powers. Although neither proposal is expected to get serious consider ation during this special legis lative session, the underlying message is hard to mistake. “The bottom line is, the system is broken,” Rep. Ron Wilson, Houston-D, said. “We can’t accept the way it is,” Rep. Roman Martinez, Houston D, said. “We just feel like it’s time to make a change,” Republican Rep. Brad Wright said. The legislators see HISD as a huge, unwieidly district that can not be managed effectively by one person. They say the system, the fifth largest in the nation, has grown out of touch with parents and taxpayers. This year, HISD has 233 schools and 191,000 stu dents, mostly minority and poor. Martinez even goes so far as to blame Superintendent Joan Ray mond for an authoritarian man agement style that stifles true de centralization, which means shifting power to the schools, the teachers and the parents, “In my work with HISD, they thrive on closeness,” Martinez said. “It’s to the point of intimida tion, where Joan Raymond puts out the word and it scares every body into not wanting to do any thing because they are worried about her coming down and buckling down.” Raymond said she invites the legislators to sit down with her and discuss their concerns, which she believes are perceptions not based on reality. In her S'/a years in the district, she said, she has been transfer ring more and more power to school principals and to district superintendents. WASHINGTON (AP) — From the air, the ponds and open tanks of oily wastes dotting the arid landscape of West Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma have the lure of fresh water. But for thousands of protected and migratory birds each year, the oilfield and chemical pits are instant death traps. “Once their wings touch that oil, they crash. ... Once they land they’re none,” said Tom Smylie, assistant re- f ional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s outhwest region. “They start preening their feathers, and that oil gets into their digestive system; it’s really a pathetic death.” Robert Lee, a special agent with the wildlife service in Lubbock, said half a million protected, non-game birds are killed in the pits every year in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, along with another 100,000 waterfowl. “That’s twice the number of birds estimated killed by the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and that’s annually,” Lee said. The Fish and Wildlife Service in late 1988 gave oil and gas companies and other industries a one-year grace period to cover or clean them up. Since Oct. 3, 1989, however, operators of pits that are killing migratory birds have been subject to criminal fines under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal “at any time, by any means, or in any manner, to ... kill ... any migratory birds.” In its first case since cracking down on oil and chemi cal pit operators, Union Pacific Railroad of Houston pleaded guilty recently before a U.S. magistrate in Lub bock to killing 46 migratory birds in a waste treatment pond in Big Spring. The company will pay a $5,000 criminal penalty and $1,393.50 in civil restitution to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the lost birds, and will cover the pond with a screen mesh to prevent further wildlife deaths, the Wildlife Service said. U.S. Attorney Marvin Collins of the Northern Dis trict of Texas said he wanted the case to “serve as a warning to those in the oil industry who have neglected to clean up their oil pits. If they have oil pits that are killing migratory birds, this office will actively pursue their prosecution.” EMS struggles to meet calls HOUSTON (AP) — Response times by the city’s strained emer gency medical service surpassed 20 minutes in some areas last year, and the agency still is struggling to meet an increasing number of calls for help. Houston Fire Department statis tics, obtained by the Houston Chronicle through the Texas Open Records Act, show extreme dispari ties in average response times in dif ferent parts of the city. A response time of eight minutes or less is nationally recognized as critical for saving lives. In 1989, Houston ambulances responded to about 48 percent of their calls within eight minutes, the statistics show. Some residents in the far north east and western sections waited 20 minutes or more on the average for emergency assistance last year. Gen erally, amoulances took much longer to reach their destinations in outly ing areas than in the inner city. The city’s EMS has 44 ambulances and 172 paramedics to serve the city. Assistant Chief Dennis Holder, who heads the EMS, said the service has received no new ambulances or per sonnel in at least two years. Fire Chief Robert L. Clayton said he is asking City Council to purchase six more ambulances in fiscal 1991, which begins July 1. Clayton said he hopes to persuade the council to eliminate 53 positions of chauffeurs who drive district chiefs to scenes and use those positions to staff the six ambulances. VS I to the vith the ^ gOt 311 in, hotel velopes, eonev- s just an do in nidoit? can't be iat each ne kind whether J jenedin v Inter- seagull’s [t’s tries- te. I’m no' ; excep 1 me and id John- got in 2 Johns"- iltn "‘h 0 r peopl e about"- v better e in ^ ALL MAJORS INVITED TO APPLY The Battalion Staff Positions Applications available for: Assistant city editor • Assistant lifestyles editor • Assistant opinion page editor Assistant sports editor • Reporters • Staff writers • Reviewers Feature writers • Sports writers • Columnists • Copy editors Photographers • Cartoonists • Graphic artists • Clerks# Application for fall and summer semesters can be picked up in 216 Reed McDonald and are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 18. ‘When You Needed It Yesterday! Professional Word Processing And Laser Printing Reports * Resumes * Letters * Thesis * Dissertations * Northgate • 113 College Main (behind Loupots) Other Services Include: Copying * Binding * Laminating * Passport Photos * Fax Service Coming Soon AGGIE SPECIAL 12" medium original style pizza with 1 item $5.49 Expires 4/30/90 Tax not included in price. One coupon per pizza. ® Limited delivery areas ensure safe driving. ft. — — 260-9020 4407 S. Texas 822-7373 Townshire Shopping Center • o m IT’S TIME FOR DOMINO’S PIZZAT T I I I I I I J 693-2335 1504 Holleman & even their secrets have secrets. 4 0 - $ 4 0 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 *2° IT PAYS NOT TO HAVE A COLD |J° Healthy individuals with a history of colds needed to participate in a <c2n s h' ort research study with a currently available prescription medica- r frS tion. $5 immediate entry bonus just for enrolling. Plus $40 | 40 incentive if you get a cold and complete the study | 40 $40-$ 4 0 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $4 0 $40 $40 $40 $40 NEW COLD STUDY $40 $40 Individuals who frequently develop or have recently developed a $40 $40 cold to participate in a short research study with a currently avail- $40 $40 able prescription medication. $40 incentive for those chosen to $40 $40 participate. $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 ADULT SORE THROAT STUDY $100 $100 individuals 18 years & older with severe sore throat pain to $100 $100 participate in a investigational research drug study. $100 $100 $100 incentive for those chosen to participate. $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME STUDY Symptomatic patients with recent physician diagnosed, ir ritable bowel syndrome to participate in a short research study. $100 incentive for those chosen to participate. $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $30Q $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 !°|j° HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE STUDY g°° S3Q0 Individuals with high blood pressure, either on or off blood pres- $300' sure medication daily to participate in a high blood pressure $300 study - $3°° i ncent i ve for those chosen to participate. $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 !]§o PAINFUL MUSCULAR INJURIES $100 Individual with recent lower back or neck pain, sprain, $100 strains, muscle spasms, or painful muscular sport injury to $100 participate in a one week research study. $100 incentive for $100 those chosen to participate. $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 CALL PAULL RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 776-0400
