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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1998)
The Battalion Et Cetera Thursday *^111131722, Judge delays decision in Texas tobacco settlement TEXARKANA (AP) — A federal judge overseeing the $15.3 billion set tlement between Texas and the to bacco industry on Wednesday de layed his decision on the case and lawyer fees. U.S. District Judge David Folsom of Texarkana said he will enter his decision all at once, rather than han dle the case piecemeal. Folsom spent Tuesday and Wednesday reviewing details of the settlement and planned to release his decision on Thursday. The deal was made public last week by Attorney General Dan Morales, who has come under fire for deciding how to spend the first year’s $1.2 billion payment to the state and for negotiating fees with outside attorneys. Those issues have resulted in sev eral complaints filed by disgruntled parties as the state and tobacco in dustry await Folsom’s approval. John Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court Justice running for attorney general, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in state district court to block the 15-percent cut for five pri vate attorneys who had been brought in to help with the case. Their share would come out to roughly $2,295 billion, or $459 mil lion each. Also filed on Tuesday was a mo tion by Dallas County and the Dallas County Hospital District asking the judge to throw out the allocation of the first-year payout. Morales earmarked the 1998 money for a variety of health-care services for all Texans, children’s health care, anti-smoking education and enforcement. The remaining $14.1 billion will be doled out by the state Legislature over the next 24 years. ‘ The settlement benefits the | public health, especially that i of children.” WARD TISDALE DAN MORALES SPOKESPERSON The Dallas motion calls the entire deal “clandestinely negotiated” and objects to it because there are no provisions made for Dallas County or its hospital district. A third issue for Folsom to consid er also involves the payout. A complaint filed by state Rep. Rob Junell and state Sen. Bill Ratliff, heads of the Legislature’s budget- writing committees, argues the agreement violates the Legislature’s role of setting state spending. The lawmakers filed a motion asking to be allowed to intervene in the case. The pair say they will also ask the Texas Supreme Court to stop the agreement. Ward Tisdale, a spokesperson for Morales, said the attorney general was not concerned about various parties trying to intervene in the settlement. It’s expected, he said, because there’s a lot of money involved and “a lot of envy and jealousy.” “The settlement benefits the pub lic health, especially that of children,” Tisdale said. Tisdale noted that the attorney general regularly negotiates payouts as part of settlements. However, be cause this is the largest settlement in U.S. litigation history, it is drawing more attention. “We do it all the time,” he said. That could change as soon as next year under legislation that state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, said he will file in the next legislative session. His plan would bar state agency heads from entering into contin gency fee contracts with private at torneys without prior approval of the Texas Legislature. Morales negotiated the contract with the private attorneys in 1996 be fore filing the lawsuit against the to bacco companies alleging violations of federal racketeering, mail fraud and conspiracy. As part of the settlement, the state ended its lawsuit against the cigarette makers, who deny all wrongdoing. Sharp proposes scholarshi, for all native Texas studei AUSTIN (AP)—State Comp- Once in college, the student; Sharp said his pla troller John Sharp says Texas would have to carr y a full load cost 85 million a )ij can afford to pay college tuition of classes — generr illy 15 hours moi icy would eomefaj and fees for all of its native col a semester — and maintain a ing stai e funds, hesaiU lege students. 2.8 grade point ave rage to con- If Sharp, the only Democrat tinue receiving th e Lone Star you’re go- running for lieutenant gover scholarships, Sharj )s said. ing to pro- nor, on Wednesday proposed “Ronald Reaga n said very due e(bud- giving every Texas college stu eloquently, if you want more get dent a one-year scholarship of something, u tx it less,” sur plu ses, for every year they attended Sharp told reporte rs after out- giv e the high school in Texas. lining the prog ram for a mo ne' i A similar program aimed at House committee ;. “What we bac 'k t o the low and middle-income stu need more of in this state is pec )pl< > who dents already exists and was more smart kids. This has to paj / it in tax given a substantial funding in do with a tax rut for the cut s. This crease last year. smartest children pre >gn mi is Sit Sharp says his “Lone Star lawmakers' next regular ses- a t ax cut,” Scholars” program would make sion is in 1999. She irps propos- he sai d. college scholarships available al would require new legisla- Stu dents who tea to all Texas students who get tion, meaning tha it could not ot) icr financial aic into Texas colleges or universi take effect until lav vmakers and ha' ve heir L one Slat ties — public and private — re the governor con sidered and shi ps adjust ed. gardless of their family income approved it. A c ampaign spota or their high school grades. The existing program re quires students to have an 80 grade average in high school on a 100 point scale. Regents Belore last year, the current Texas Tuition Assistance Grant program was getting S150,000 a year from the Le it will get $5 mil fislature. >n a ve N< \^i u-u I une Commissi Pern', the only Reputs ning for lieutenant did not have an comment VVednesdat I Continued from Page 1 The Board of Regents will also consider guide lines for the 1999 fiscal year budget, a name change of the Texas Animal Damage Control Ser vice to the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service, the campus enrollment management plan projections for the 1998-99 academic year and the designation of land for the development of a west campus greenway. I he Board will also considerdesictj acre area of land between theGeorgeB ,ii ul i hr 1 loi iii nil m r Sumer building campus greenway. Gene Ray. deputy director fort plant, said the land would functional greenway in order to preserve ihei: set aside, it could be developedina for the benefit of academic progra tors to the campus. Tiffany Inbody, Editor in Chief Helen Clancy, News Editor Brad Graeber, Visual Arts Editor Robert Smith, City Editor Matt Weber, Night News Editor Jeremy Furtick, Sports Editor James Francis, Aggielife Editor Mandy Cater, Opinion Editor Ryan Rogers, Photo Editor Chris Huffines, Radio Producer Sarah Goldston, Radio Producer Dusty Moer, Web Editor Staff Members City- Colleen Kavanagh, Amanda Smith, Rachel Dawley, Stacey Becks, Stephanie Dosher, Jeremy Magnum, Susan Atchison, Kelly Hackworth, Lyndsay Nantz, Jennifer Wilson & Julietta Amanda Jordan. Science - Jill Reed. Sports - Assistant Editor: Jeff Webb; Michael Ferguson, Chris Ferrell, Travis Harsch, Robert Hollier, Al Lazarus, Colby Martin, Aaron Meier, Katie Mish, Philip Peter, Jeff Schmidt & Michael Taglienti. Aggielife - Marium Mohiuddin, Rhonda Reinhart, Chris Martin, Leah Templeton, Travis Hopper, April Towery, Brandi Ballard, Travis Irby & Stephen Wells. Opinion - Len Calloway, Adam Collette, Jesse Czelusta, Donny Ferguson, Kendall Kelly, Caleb McDaniel, Beverly Mireles, Manisha Parekh, Stewart Patton, Mickey Saloma, Joe Schumacher, Michelle Voss, Frank Stanford & Jennifer Jones. Night News - Joyce Bauer, Jaclynn Barker, All Belin, Shane Elkins & Aaron Meier. Photo - Assistant Editor: Brandon Bollom; Robert McKay, Greg McReynolds, Mike Fuentes, James Francis & Jake Schrickling. Graphics - James Palmer, Chad Mallam, Jared Faulkner & J.P. Beato. Cartoonists - Ed Goodwin, John Lemons, Dave Hoffman, Gabriel Ruenes, Victor Vanscoit, Michael Nordfelt and Quatro Oakley. Copy Editors - Leslie Stebbins, Jennifer Jones, David Johnston, Martha Gidney, Patrick Pavlik & Veronica Serrano. Radio - Andrew Bailey, Jodie Rae Sartin, Laura Stuart & Karina Trevino. Web - Anita Tong & Jeremy Brown News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. News offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone: 845-3313; Fax: 845-2647; E-mail: batt@unix.tamu.edu; Website: http://battalion.tamu.edu Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsoiship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display adver tising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. Mail subscriptions are $60 per school year, $30 for the fall or spring semester and $17.50 for the summer. To charge by credit card, call 845-2611. The Battalion (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Battalion, 015 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-1111. Last Chance! Limited Spaces! Summer Session I‘98 Receive 6 hours of credit taking the following two courses: ARTS 350: Arts and Civilization PSYC 469: Special Topics in the History of Psychology: Psychology & the Renaissance INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS in 154 Bizzell Hall West -Wednesday, January 21 10:00-10:30 am -Friday, January 23 12:00-12:30 pm -Monday, January 26 10:00-10:30 am -Thursday, January 29 10:45-11:15 am Pick up an application at the meeting or drop by the Study Abroad Program Office. Study Abroad Program Office, 161 Bizzell Hall West, 845-0544 Theater Arts Program AUDITIO for CO book by George Furth NS MPA NY music and lyrics? Stephen Sonl3 January 24th - 7 pm - Rudder Forunt Please prepare a song to sing : Information: web page: www.tamuedg e-mail: theatertStamued^ office phone#: 845-! i .—273*? KcySrufa/ Association A .( tk. V»l|,, presents The 1998 Bridal Show & M Sunday, January 25th 12~5 pm # Brazos Proceeds will be donated to Hospice Brazos Valley. TWO EXCITING FASHION SHOWS will feature selectionsfrc Al’s Formal Wear, Ladies & Lords, Sir Knight, Special Occasions & Xanadu Brit (jin rfip (&> rSn rfip fft) cm? rfi? (Sp r£? oo oo cocowOococoooro EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND THIS SPECIALEW Tickets are $ 10 at the door, or may be purchased in advance for $7.5I)J Al’s Formal Wear, Ladies & Lords, Party Time Rentals, Vogue Hair Safc' University Flowers, Wenonah's Pantry, and Special Occasions For More Information Visit Our Website: www.ido-ido.net Qrei ml Prize Dr a iv i n us Diamond Piece Honeymoon Trip Sponsored by Sponsored by Montelongo Jewelry ITS Cruises & Travels ami Continental Airlines • Over SO Exhibitors • Guest Bags with Valuable Cou( • Register to Win Door Prizes & Grand Prizes Diamond Sponsors hS)KBTX-TV Boron-College Station PflRTV TIM€ ♦ RCNTRI.S + TVe Rent Fun" Platinum Sponsors Cahlctimc • CablcMart • TV FACTS • etc.Magazine • KTEX • MacResource Computers Gold Sponsors Aggie 96 ‘Associated Publishing • College Station ConferenceCenK 1 • Creative Planners • Lowes • Memoir Photography ‘The Castle IP • Vogue Hair Salon • Wenonah’s Pantry • WTAW AGGIFLAND creditMunioim a branch of Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union Open a new account & receive 1 box of Custom Aggie land cUecWs (IT'S) checks FREE! Plus, you’ll receive a maroon Aggieland Pulse Card, Aggieland checkbook cover and 1 dozen starter checks - all FREE! Unlimited Check Writing, No Mini mom Balance, and No Monthly Service Charge 201 Southwest Pkwy. E & 501 University Dr. W Offer expires 1/30/98 696-1440 ff | TIP THE SCALES IN YOUR / FAVOR: I /\ CO-OP, INTERNSHIPS A & SUMMER JOBS The TAMU Career Center invites you to attend Panel Discussion on the "other" education. 601 Rudder Tuesday, January 27 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.