Page 4
The Battalion
Tuesday, June 1,1993
State legislature completes 140-day session
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
USTIN — The Legislature
wrapped up its 1993 regular ses
sion Monday.
In their 140-day bout of law
making, legislators voted to allow hunting
• in parks but not carrying of handguns.
They adopted a bigger budget but ap
proved no tax increase.
They wrote a school finance reform
plan. Twice.
And they debated that age-old ques
tion: does a hog farm smell like money or,
well, just pigs?
From her perspective. Gov. Ann
Richards was pleased with the outcome.
"I think we've had an extraordinarily
successful session,” she said. "I don't
think anyone can doubt that.”
Here's a look at some of the major —
and minor — actions of the 1993 Texas
Legislature:
-► SCHOOL FINANCE:
For a third time, Texas Supreme Court
had ruled against the school funding sys
tem. So lawmakers early in the session
approved a third school finance proposal,
the now-infamous "Robin Hood” share-
the-wealth plan to shift $400 million from
rich to poor school districts.
On May 1, voters gave their opinion —
No way.
In a matter of days, the Legislature
came up with a new idea. A multiple-
choice plan gives 109 rich districts five
options for sharing — from consolidation
to writing checks to the state.
Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant,
helped write it and concluded: "This
comes as close as humanly possible to
meeting the (court's) test.”
-» BUDGET:
After suffering through repeated mas
sive shortfalls and prolonged tax-and-
spend battles, state leaders this year is
sued a pre-session decree: no new taxes.
The Legislature then wrote a two-year
budget that boosts spending by 11.4 per
cent — $7.18 billion — for a 1994-95 total
of $70.1 billion. Only a few fees went up.
Sen. John Montford, D-Lubbock, a key
budget writer, said the spending plan
isn't lavish. "A Chevrolet with no white
walls,” he called it.
Added Richards: "We held the line on
money, and yet we have been able to
fund all of these essentials."
-> GUN BATTLES:
Echoing the state's Wild West image,
lawmakers exchanged fire — over and
over — over guns.
Lawmakers took a shot at legalizing
the carrying of handguns. Calling it an in
vitation for more violence, the governor
fired back with a veto threat.
Lawmakers reloaded, saying they
would settle for giving voters a shot at
the question. Their final plan: a non-bind
ing referendum on Nov. 2 in which voters
could express their opinions.
But Richards still pledged a veto, call
ing the referendum bill v 'nothing more
than game playing by a few legislators
who appear intent on embarrassing this
great state as a place where gun-toting
vigilantes roam the streets."
Legislative gunfire wasn't confined to
that issue.
Lawmakers also endorsed expanded
hunting in state parks. "There are thou
sands and thousands of people in this
state, fathers and sons, that do not have a
place to hunt," said Rep. Allen Hightow
er, D-Huntsville.
Richards, an avid hunter, said that bill
would become law.
ENVIRONMENT:
Big battles were fought over the envi
ronment.
Under one bill, pumping from the Ed
wards Aquifer would be regulated by a
permit system to protect endangered
species. The underground aquifer, which
extends for 176 miles under Central Texas
counties, is the sole source of drinking
water for San Antonio.
Lawmakers endorsed a compact with
two New England states for disposal of
their low-level radioactive waste. Ver
mont and Maine must pay Texas $25 mil
lion each to use the Hudspeth County
dump, and backers said the deal will
keep bigger states from horning in.
Another bill would allow the Railroad
Commission to regulate storage of haz
ardous materials in salt domes.
Hours were spent debating a bill to ex
empt agricultural operations from most
air pollution control requirements, unless
it was shown that odors caused injuries
or a public health hazard.
Backers said the bill was needed be
cause livestock operations are naturally
smelly and air control regulations of agri
culture do little to protect the environ
ment. Opponents said it would encourage
large dairy operators and feedlots to enter
Texas without regard to location.
The bill died after senators added a
provision that would have allowed law
suits if the "quality of life” were dam
aged.
-» CRIME:
A major anti-crime push was a center-
piece of the session.
Lawmakers voted to create a system of
22,000 new "state jail” beds for nonvio
lent offenders, build 10,000 new prison
beds and fund 7,000 prison beds for sub
stance abuse treatment.
They overhauled the state's code of
criminal laws, voting to double the prison
time of violent criminals. Gay rights ac
tivists urged a gubernatorial veto, howev
er, because the bill keeps the state's centu
ry-old law banning sodomy between
same-sex couples.
Also approved was anti-stalking legis
lation and 40-year minimum sentences
for capital murderers who don't receive
the death penalty.
Lawmakers passed a hate crimes mea
sure to toughen penalties in offenses mo
tivated by prejudice and abolish proba
tion in hate-motivated murders.
Under a drunken driving measure,
motorists who refuse or fail a breath or
blood test could have their drivers' licens
es revoked.
And lawmakers decided to extend the
death penalty to those who murder chil
dren under the age of six and to double
penalties for drug offenses committed
near children.
-» ETHICS:
The current state ethics law was
passed only minutes before the clock
struck midnight and ended the 1991 Leg
islature. That sparked criticism that law
makers hadn't even gotten a chance to
read the bill.
They had a full 140 days this year to
make changes.
But while they debated proposals to
limit campaign contributions, limit terms
for officeholders and prohibit legislators
from becoming lobbyists, the clock won
again.
An ethics reform bill died without a fi
nal vote when the Legislature adjourned.
HIGHER EDUCATION:
The South Texas Initiative was adopt
ed, aimed at increasing higher education
opportunities and improving colleges and
universities in the region.
A $460 million package was approved
for expanding undergraduate, graduate
and doctoral programs, and for building
and expanding campuses and facilities.
The initiative is a response to a 1987
lawsuit that contends border area resi
dents have been denied equal access to
higher education. Lawmakers said South
Texas has been receiving about $43 per
person for higher education, compared
with $103 per person for other parts of
the state.
-» BUSINESS:
Business bills were a booming business.
Passed early in the session and signed
by Richards into law were two bills mak
ing it harder for consumers to recover
damages from companies by taking them
to court.
One bill protects tobacco companies
from liability because their products
would be classified among those con
sumers know to be unsafe. And in law
suits alleging that products had design
defects, those suing must prove that a
safer alternative design existed when the
product was made.
The second bill made it more difficult
for people in other countries who claim
injuries from a product with some Texas
connection to file suit here.
Lawmakers debated until the final
hours over legislation continuing the
Public Utility Commission.
Consumer outcry rose up over a last-
minute provision that would have al
lowed telephone and electric companies
to charge customers for "phantom" taxes
they don't actually pay. Lawmakers de
cided Monday afternoon to simply con
tinue the agency as is for the next two
years and study related issues.
A key insurance bill was approved to
extend the life of the State Board of Insur
ance, which regulates the state's $35 bil
lion per year insurance industry. It also
allowed industry organizations to pro
vide the data regulators use to determine
insurance rates under strict regulatory
oversight by the insurance commissioner.
-+ HEALTH CARE:
Legislation won approval that was de
signed to make health insurance more
available and affordable for small busi
nesses employing three to 50 people.
Also passed was a bill to provide for
immunizations of children against pre
ventable diseases.
AND...
Three years after a Houston woman
stood trial for entering a men's room at a
crowded concert in 1990, lawmakers en
acted a "pott/ parity" bill.
Stadiums, arenas or any facility where
"the public congregates" would have to
provide twice the number of women's re
strooms as men's. The requirement
would apply only to facilities either built
or renovated after this year.
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin,
called it "bathroom equity” and good
news for women.
Another — albeit smaller — segment
of the population got some good news,
too. Professional students, "slackers/'
some called them.
Sen. Carl Parker, D-Port Arthur, took
aim at students who seem to stay in
school forever. He proposed charging
out-of-state tuition to undergraduates
who accumulate more than 158 hours of
credit, nearly a sevenfold hike.
His anti-slacker bill was aimed at
"those who just use college for recreation
al purposes," he said, those subsidized by
taxpayers "in an effort to become a great
conversationalist."
But the slackers won. They didn't mo
bilize in a sudden fit of energy, though.
The House just never got around to con
sidering it.
The Battalion
Classified Ads
Phone: 845-0569 / Office: Room 015 (basement)
Reed McDonald Building
j ’AGGIE' Private Party Want Ads
Business Hours
$ 10 for 20 words running 5 days, if your merchan-
dlse Is priced $ 1000 or less (price must appear In
■mm ad). This rate applies only to non-commercial
4 k advertisers offering personal possesions for sale.
Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5
■ I! days at no charge. If Item doesn’t sell, advertiser
must call before 11 a.m. on the day the ad Is
£^,1 schedule to end to qualify for the 5 additional
m Insertions at no charge. No refunds will be made
If your ad is cancelled early.
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday through
Friday
accepted
Help Wanted
YEAST INFECTION
STUDY
Female patients with symptoms
of a yeast infection needed
to participate in a research
study with a new regimen of
over-the-counter medication
(cream). Eligible volunteers
will be compensated.
Call for information.
G&S Studies, Inc.
(409) 846-5933
(close to campus)
SUMMER JOBS
COLLEGE STATION
AND HOUSTON
Earn $150-$300 week part-time
Neighborhood advertising
program. Requires excellent
communication skills.
No selling involved.
Call (409) 690-0448
Leave name, phone no. and
best time to return call.
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
Telephone fundraising for national
charities. No experience
necessary. $5-$6 per/hr. to start.
Evenings and weekends.
For immediate placement
call Mary 776-4246
INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT - Make up to $2,000+
per month teaching basic conversational English abroad.
Japan and Taiwan. Many provide room & board + other
benefits. No previous training or teaching certificate
required. For program call 1-206-632-1146 ext. J5855.
REMEMBER THE SUMMER OF...? If you have ever
worked a fantastic Summer or Extended Vacation Job,
call us now! We will pay you to share your experiences,
if published! Call 1-800-807-3030,
Baby-sitter needed for church nursery Sundays 8-12pm
£5/hr. Call 690-6538.
$8.00 per game umpiring ASA softball 3 to 5 games per
night. Call Pat 776-2053, 822-1519.
EASY ASSEMBLY any hours, $339.84 week, family of 3
earns $4417.92 monthly. FREE Information -24 Hour
Hotline. 801-379-2900 Copyright# TX044652.
■ EASY ASSEMBLY any hours, $339.84 week, family of 3
I earns $4417.92 monthly. FREE Information -24 Hour
I Hotline. 801-379-2900 Copyright# TX044652.
I ALASKA SUMMER EMPLOYMENT - fisheries. Earn
I $600+/week in canneries or $4,000+/month on fishing
I boats. Free transportation! Room & Board! Over 8,000
I openings. No experience necessary. Male or Female.
I Foremployment program call 1-206-545-4155ext. A5855.
I CRUISE SHIPS NOW HIRING - Earn up to$2,000+/
month + world travel (Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc.)
Holiday, Summer and Career employment available. No
experience necessary. For employment program call 1-
206-634-0468 ext. C5855.
Route carriers needed: The Houston Chronicle has
summer and fall routes available. Earn $600-$900 per/
I mo. Route delivery requires working early morning hours.
I Call James at 693-7815 or Julian at 693-2323 for an
I appointment.
I Gourmet cook (preferably Chinese and French food),
including housekeeping needed for large family. Call 776-
0946 after 6pm.
ALASKA SUMMER EMPLOYMENT - Fisheries. Earn
$600+/week in canneries or $4,000+/month on fishing
[ boats. Free transportation! Room & Board! Over 8,000
openings. No experience necessary. Male or Female.
For employment program call 1 -206-545-4155 ext. A5855.
$200-$500 WEEKLY Assemble products at home. Easy!
No selling. You’re paid direct. Fully Guaranteed. FREE
Information-24 Hour Hotline. 801-379-2900 Copyright#
TX 044650.
Healthy males wanted as semen donors. Help infertile
couples. Confidentiality ensured. Ethnic diversity desir
able. Ages 18-35, excellent compensation. Contact
Fairfax Cryobank, 1121 Briarcrest Suite 101, 776-4453
Services
AAA DEFENSIVE DRIVING. LOTS OF FUN, LAUGH A
LOT!!!!!!!! Ticket dismissal, M-Tu(6-10p.m.),W-Th. (6-10
p.m.), Fri. (6-10 p.m.)-Sat.(8-12 noon). Sat. (8-4:30 p.m.)
Across from University Tower. Walk-ins welcome $20.00.
411TxAve. So. 846-6117.
For Lease
YOUR BEST HOUSING VALUE 1670 sq. ft. 4bd/2ba, two
1/2 bathrooms at Sundance Apartments with great rooms,
wet bar, FF refrigerator, W/D connections, ceiling fans,
intrusion alarms, pool and park. Call Sandra 696-9638.
For Sale
Daybed w/brass, complete w/trundle, mattresses, never
used, still boxed, cost $750. Must sell $250 cash (713)
855-8474.
Brassbed. QZ, complete, w/firm, ortho mattress set, never
used, still boxed, cost $750. Must sell $200. Cash (713)
855-8474.
Like new! 3 Br-2B. Brick house. FP. fence, 2 CG. New
roof, carpet and paint inside and out. Priced to sell under
affordable housing - $46,500. To see call Carolyn Sparks,
BrazosLand Realty 846-5735.
C.C. Creations 114 Holleman C.S. Factory Outlet: T-
shirts, shorts, sweats, jackets, caps. $10.00-$12.00.
Open Wed-Fri, 10am-6pm; Saturdays 8am-2pm.
For Rent
One bedroom apartment, efficiency, close tocampus, bills
paid, $265. Call 693-4485 after 6pm.
1&2 bdrm units, some with W/D and ff refrigerator, pool,
park, intruder alarms, close to everything FSS accepted
696-7380, 693-2347.
FRESHLY RENOVATED HUGE 2bd apartments. 3 1/2
miles from A&M. Semester lease okay 822-0472.
Khmer Rouge
attacks again
in Cambodia
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -
Khmer Rouge guerrillas am
bushed a U.N. convoy Monday,
killing a peacekeeper and wound
ing five others. It was the second
significant attack following large
ly peaceful elections that ended
Friday.
The guerrillas earlier fired at
French troops, killed two Cambo
dians and torched houses during
a raid Sunday on a village market.
Despite vows to disrupt the
election, the Khmer Rouge had
abstained from serious violence
during the voting. Almost 90 per
cent of Cambodia's 4.7 million
voters cast ballots, including hun
dreds of guerrillas.
On Sunday, the guerrillas' ra
dio station condemned the elec
tion and the U.N. mission and
said they would keep on fighting.
But a party seeking reconcilia
tion with the guerrillas was lead
ing in the vote count.
U.N. spokesman Eric Fait said
Monday that with 43 percent of
the vote counted, unofficial re
sults showed the major opposi
tion party, FUNCINPEC, leading
by a small margin.
The party, aligned with Prince
Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia's
most respected leader, had 36.7
percent of the vote compared with
35.3 percent for the ruling Cambo
dian People's Party. Final results
were expected later this week.
The six-day election was for a
120-member assembly that is to
adopt a constitution within three
months, then form a government.
The ruling party has promised
to fight the Khmer Rouge. FUNC
INPEC has favored reconciliation.
Bangkop
By Boomer Cardinale
Angus...The Series
By Paul Stroud
Aggie Man
By Sergio Rosas
liN OUg LAST EftSODr, EDKIARP DlMWITT, A MILD rlAMflEKLD COLLEGE STUDBHT, HAD Been 0TT£Ti by A
\fyDIO-ACTIVE' MASCOT ADD UAg P&DUT TO C.ET tflf &Y A BU5. MILL Ol^R tfERO-TG~BE EXAFB THb' FATH
Clinton
Continued from Page 1
The president, in a series of Memorial Day
events designed to help him improve his
standing with the military, earlier vowed in re
marks at Arlington National Cemetery that he
would not put U.S. troops in harm's way with
out a "clear mission, the means and the sup
port they need to win."
"We resolve to keep America free, strong
and proud ... to be ever vigilant against any
foe that could endanger us,” he said at the
cemetery.
The president received a standing ovation
from the crowd of about 4,000 at the cemetery
ceremony, and was also warmly received at an
earlier White House celebration with veterans
groups. But it was a tougher task at the Viet
nam Veterans Memorial as he faced the ghosts
of his youth.
Clinton laid a large floral wreath at the
Tomb of the Unknowns monument, then stood
at attention, his hand over his heart, for the
playing of "taps.” The tomb commemorates
U.S. soldiers from various wars whose remains
could not be identified.
His motorcade arrived in the cemetery to a
21-gun salute.
Clinton renewed his pledge that his admin
istration would do what it could "to provide
answers" in accounting for all prisoners of the
Vietnam War and those missing in action.
"We come together this morning to honor
those who died that we might live in free
dom," he said.
"We put aside our differences to better re
flect on what unites us," he said. A chief politi
cal rival. Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole, R-
Kan., also participated in the ceremony.
Earlier today, Clinton told a group of World
War II veterans in an East Room ceremony:
"This is your house. You have paid the price
for it and those you represent made the fact
that it's still standing possible." He spoke as
he unveiled commemorative stamps and coins.
"Our country must remember and honor
the men who defended democracy and defeat
ed aggression,” he said. "We learned from
those early defeats in World War II that we
must remain vigilant and always prepared to
resist future aggression, and that the nations
dedicated to freedom must stand together."
He declined comment when asked about
his efforts to avoid the Vietnam War or plans
by veterans to protest his appearance at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial later in the day.
But in an newspaper interview published Sun
day he declared "I can't run away."
Clinton's appearance at the black marble
wall, which serves as a stark reminder of the
thousands of lives lost and a generation torn
apart over the Vietnam War, was a risky politi
cal move for an already battered president.
A
A,
While
week's
Univers
swallov
come o
carved
from otl
The d
came afl
income
sity Fun
levels,
than one
adminis
al offices
"We'v
ing opi
penses
over tim
very pe
sive and
a lot of
have h
Deputy <
Davis sa
Thou«
nate tha
to resort
offs will
$2 millie
not fund
islature,:
Admi
mile to p
Possibly
hiring fre
months ]
§et cuts.
Smol
cost i
Presidi
^deral t
Poking
f° be livii
be inhalir
[ er retirei
feting sc
Social sec
'vhich is
forking;
oen will fc
When 1
^our ass 1
In g for yi
^ent to e
Srandchil
ar >d hardc
as good a