The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, July 30, 2003, Image 6

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Wednesday, July 30, 2003
THE BATTALION
Hung jury in officer beating trial
By Robert Jablon
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — A judge
declared a hung jury Tuesday in
the police brutality case against
a white former officer who
punched and slammed a hand
cuffed black teenager onto a
squad car during a videotaped
arrest.
The jury deliberated more
than three days without reaching
a verdict against former
Inglewood officer Jeremy Morse
in a case that raised racial ten
sions and drew comparisons to
the Rodney King beating.
Morse’s partner, Bijan
Darvish, 26, was found innocent
of falsifying a police report.
They both could have received
as much as three years in prison
if convicted.
The jury, which included
only one black member, was
deadlocked 7-5 in favor of con
viction against Morse, 25, who
was charged with assault under
color of authority.
Morse sat expressionless
with his hands locked after the
verdict, while Darvish and his
attorney banged their fists on the
table and quietly uttered “yes.”
Someone in the courtroom
yelled, “No justice here!” id
was silenced by SuperiorComt
Judge William Hollingsworth Jr,
People standing outside tie
courthouse held signs saying
“Peace After the Verdict,” hop
ing to prevent riots like tit
ones that devastated the city
after four white police officers
were acquitted of state charges
in the videotaped beating o(
King in 1992.
Chop shop
SHARON AESCHBACH • THE BATTALION
Action Sports employee Eddie Kellar on a Yamaha Roadstar. Keller spe-
repairs a broken carburetor Tuesday cializes in jet skis and motorcycles.
New study finds
nicotine levels
vary in cigarettes
By Andrew Kramer
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND, Ore. — A study found that sot
brands of cigarettes deliver a much more powei
nicotine “kick” than others, adding to suspicions lha:
manufacturers deliberately blend tobacco to boosttk
addictive effect.
Smoke from 11 brands of cigarettes was analyzfi:
for a specific form of nicotine called “free base”fe
passes quickly into the bloodstream when it is inhaled
American Spirit, a brand owned by R.J. Reynoli
Tobacco Co., topped the list. It was followed by the
French brand Gauloises Brunes, according to the stud;
by Oregon Health & Science University chemist James
F. Pankow. Their free-nicotine levels were around 25io
35 times higher than those of the lowest-level cigarettes
The free-base form of nicotine occurs naturally, hit
some varieties of tobacco contain far more than others
The study adds weight to claims that cigarette mal;
ers blend tobacco varieties to manipulate the nicotine
potency and boost sales, as some industry critics have
charged. The tobacco industry has long claimed thatit
blends tobacco to adjust for taste, not to increase nico
tine potency.
A spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, Seth Moskowiti
said Tuesday he had not reviewed the study and could
not comment.
Acid levels in nicotine largely determine how quick
ly it can be absorbed. Free-base nicotine is much less
acidic than other forms and thus gets to the brain more
quickly.
PUBLIC NOTICE
BRIEF EXPLANATORY STATEMENTS OF PROPOSED
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
SPECIAL ELECTION
SEPTEMBER 13, 2003
PROPOSITION 1
(HJR 68, Section 1)
HJR 68, Section 1 would authorize the
Veterans’ Land Board to use excess
receipts in the Veterans’ Land and
Veterans’ Housing Assistance funds for
payment of revenue bonds, and use excess
assets in those funds to provide veterans
homes.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment authorizing the Veterans’
Land Board to use assets in certain vet
erans' land and veterans’ housing assis
tance funds to provide veterans homes
for the aged or infirm and to make prin
cipal, interest, and bond enhancement
payments on revenue bonds.”
PROPOSITION 2
(HJR 51)
HJR 51 would expand from six months to
two years the period in which the former
owner of a mineral interest that was sold
for unpaid property taxes may buy back the
mineral interest.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment to establish a two-year peri
od for the redemption of a mineral inter
est sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes at a
tax sale.”
PROPOSITION 3
(HJR 55)
HJR 55 would authorize the legislature to
exempt from taxation land owned by a reli
gious organization that is leased for use as
a school or that will be used to expand or
construct a place of religious worship that
yields no revenue.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
to authorize the legislature to exempt
from ad valorem taxation property
owned by a religious organization that is
leased for use as a school or that is
owned with the intent of expanding or
constructing a religious facility.”
PROPOSITION 4
(SJR 30)
SJR 30 would authorize the legislature to
allow conservation and reclamation dis
tricts to use taxes to develop and finance
certain parks and recreation facilities.
Also, the amendment would authorize the
legislature to allow local elections for the
issuance of bonds to improve and maintain
parks and recreational facilities in the
Tarrant Regional Water District or a con
servation and reclamation district located
in whole or in part in Bastrop, Bexar,
Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris,
Montgomery, Tarrant, Travis, Waller or
Williamson County.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amend
ment relating to the provision of parks
and recreational facilities by certain con
servation and reclamation districts.”
PROPOSITION 5
(SJR 25)
SJR 25 would authorize the legislature to
exempt from all property taxes certain tan
gible personal property, which could
include a travel trailer not substantially
affixed to real estate and not used as a resi
dential dwelling.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment to authorize the legislature
to exempt from ad valorem taxation
travel trailers not held or Used for the
production of income.”
PROPOSITION 6
(HJR 23)
HJR 23 would authorize a qualified home-
owner to refinance a home equity loan with
a reverse mortgage loan.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
permitting refinancing of a home equity
loan with a reverse mortgage.”
PROPOSITION 7
(HJR 44)
HJR 44 would reduce the number of per
sons who make up the jury in a district
court criminal misdemeanor case from
twelve to six.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment t4> permit a six-person jury
in a district court misdemeanor trial.”
PROPOSITION 8
(HJR 62)
HJR 62 would authorize the legislature to
permit a person to assume office without an
election if the person is the only candidate
to qualify in an election for that office and
the election is required by the Texas
Constitution. This proposition applies to
state and local political subdivisions,
whereas Proposition 18 applies only to
local political subdivisions.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment authorizing the legislature
to permit a person to take office without
an election if the person is the only can
didate to qualify in an election for that
office.”
PROPOSITION 9
(HJR 68, Section 2)
HJR 68, Section 2 would redefine the com
position of the permanent and available
school funds by requiring during the next
two fiscal years, and authorizing thereafter,
annual distributions to the available school
fund of a percentage of any increase in the
value of the permanent school fund’s total
investment assets.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment relating to the use of income
and appreciation of the permanent
school fund.”
PROPOSITION 10
(HJR 61)
HJR 61 would authorize municipalities to
donate surplus fire-fighting equipment,
supplies, or materials to the Texas Forest
Service, which would be authorized to dis
tribute based on need the equipment to
rural volunteer fire departments.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
authorizing municipalities to donate
surplus fire-fighting equipment or sup
plies for the benefit of rural volunteer
fire departments.”
PROPOSITION 11
(HJR 85)
HJR 85 would authorize the legislature to
regulate the operation of wineries in Texas,
regardless of whether a winery is located in
an area in which the sale of wine has been
authorized by local option election.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “A constitutional
amendment to allow the legislature to
enact laws authorizing and governing
the operation of wineries in this state.”
PROPOSITION 12
(HJR 3)
HJR 3 would immediately authorize the
Legislature to limit non-economic dam
ages assessed against a provider of medical
or health care and, after January 1,2005, to
limit awards in all other types of cases.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment concerning civil lawsuits
against doctors and health care
providers, and other actions, authoriz
ing the legislature to determine limita
tions on non-economic damages.”
PROPOSITION 13
(HJR 16)
HJR 16 would authorize a county, city,
town, and junior college disUict to freeze
property taxes on a residential homestead
of a person who is disabled or aged 65 or
older.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
to permit counties, cities and towns, and
junior college districts to establish an ad
valorem tax freeze on residence home
steads of the disabled and of the elderly
and their spouses.”
PROPOSITION 14
(HJR 28)
HJR 28 would authorize the Texas
Department of Transportation to issue
notes or borrow money to fund highway
improvement projects. The terms of the
notes or loans may not exceed two years.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
providing for authorization of the Issu
ing of notes or the borrowing of money
on a short-term basis by a state trans
portation agency for transportation-
related projects, and the issuance of
bonds and other public securities
secured by the state highway fund.”
PROPOSITION 15
(HJR 54)
HJR 54 would prohibit a local retirement
system and the political subdivision that
finances the retirement system from reduc
ing or otherwise impairing certain accmed
benefits under the local retirement system.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The Constitutional
amendment providing that certain ben
efits under certain local public retire
ment systems may not be reduced or
impaired.”
PROPOSITION 16
(SJR 42)
SJR 42 would amend the Texas
Constitution to allow home equity lines of
credit and allow refinancing of a home
equity loan with a reverse mortgage loan.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amend
ment authorizing a home equity line of
credit, providing for administrative
interpretation of home equity lending
law, and otherwise relating to the mak
ing, refinancing, repayment, and
enforcement of home equity loans.”
PROPOSITION 17
(HJR 21)
HJR 21 would prohibit an increase in
school property taxes on residence home
steads of disabled persons.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amend
ment to prohibit an increase in the total
amount of school district ad valorem
taxes that may be imposed on the resi
dence homestead of a disabled person.”
PROPOSITION 18
(HJR 59)
HJR 59 would authorize the legislature to
permit a person to assume an office of a
political subdivision without an election if
the person is the only candidate to qualify
in an election for that office and the elec
tion is required by the Texas Constitution.
This proposition applies only to local polit
ical subdivisions, whereas Proposition 8
applies to state and local political subdivi
sions.
The proposed amendment will appeal - on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment authorizing the legislature
to permit a person to assume an office of
a political subdivision without an elec
tion if the person is the only candidate to
qualify in an election for that office.”
PROPOSITION 19
(SJR 45)
SJR 45 would repeal the legislature’s
authority to create rural fire prevention dis
tricts. Effective September 1, 2003, all
existing rural fire prevention districts will
convert to emergency services districts.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as folloyys; “The constitutional
amendment to repeal the authority of
the legislature to provide for the creation
of rural fire prevention districts.”
PROPOSITION 20
(SJR 55)
SJR 55 would authorize the issuance of
general obligation bonds in a total amount
not to exceed $250 million that will be used
to provide loans for economic develop
ment projects that benefit defense-related
communities in Texas.
The proposed amendment will appear on
the ballot as follows: “The constitutional
amendment authorizing the issuance of
general obligation bonds or notes not to
exceed $250 million payable from the
general revenues of the state to provide
loans to defense-related communities,
that will be repaid by the defense-relat
ed community, for economic develop
ment projects, including projects that
enhance the military value of military
installations.”
PROPOSITION 21
(SJR 19)
SJR 19 would authorize current and retired
faculty members of a public institution of
higher education to receive compensation
for service as a member of the governing
body of a water district.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
to permit a current or retired faculty
member of a public college or university
to receive compensation for service on
the governing body of a water district”
PROPOSITION 22
(HJR 84)
HJR 84 would authorize the appointment
of a temporary replacement officer to serve
on behalf of a state, district, or local public
officer who is called into active military
duty for longer than 30 days.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as
follows: “The constitutional amendment
authorizing the appointment of a tempo
rary replacement officer to fill a vacancy
created when a public officer enters
active duty in the United States armed
forces.”
Estos son los informes explanatorios
sobre las enmiendas propuestas a la con-
stitucidn que aparecerdn en la boleta el
13 de septiembre de 2003. Si usted no ha
recibido una copia de los informes en
espanol, podra obetener una gratis 11a-
mando al 1/800/252/8683 o escribiendo
al Secretario de Estado, P.O. Box 12060,
Austin, TX 78711.
PUBLISHED BY SECRETARY OF
STATE GWYN SHEA
NEWS IN BRIEF
Waco investigators
finish examining field
WACO, Texas (AP) - After com
pleting evidence collection into
field where the decomposed
remains of Baylor University bas
ketball player Patrick Denneh;
were found a few days ago,
authorities on Tuesday awaited
the results of an autopsy report,
"We're waiting on the prelimi
nary autopsy to find out how tie
died, but it may come back as
pending because of the condi
tion of the body," said Belinda
Summers, a justice of the peace
in McLennan County, where the
body was found Friday night.
The remains of Dennehy, a 6-
foot-10 center who had been
missing about six weeks, were
found just a few miles away from
campus in a grassy field off a
road leading to a rock quarry.
Last week, police said they
were searching sites given to
them by Carlton Dotson,
Dennehy's roommate and for
mer teammate. Dotson, 21, was
charged with Dennehy's death
last week after police said he
confessed to shooting Dennehy
in the head.
791 will lose jobs at
Fruit of Loom plant
HARLINGEN, Texas (AP) - Frurt
of the Loom of Texas, Inc will
close its Harlingen plant Dec 31,
ending jobs for 791 people and
erasing the last of the region's tex
tile industry, officials said Tuesday.
Corporate officials said the
plant was no longer viable.
"The company must align its
marketing capacity to the current
marketing conditions in order to
remain competitive," corporate
officials said in a statement.
Mayor Connie de la Garza said
he understood the company's
reasoning.
"They have to downsize in order
to remain competitive in the
world market," he said. "The huge
influx of imported apparel prod
ucts from China and the Far East
has reduced the market available
for U.S. textile manufacturers."
During the past two years,
Cameron County also lost its Levi
Strauss, Haggar and William
Carter plants.
The sprawling factory grounds,
surrounded by high electronic
fencing, sit on the city's rural out
skirts. Media were barred from
the grounds.
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