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Texas News: December 1-15, 1996
- 12/14 - Morales Urges Texans to Ignore Rumors: The state attorney
general is warning Texans to ignore rumors that they can receive refunds
from a price-fixing class-action settlement with infant-formula makers.
....Attorney General Dan Morales said Friday that Texas isn't part of the
settlement and Texans aren't eligible for payments. The deal involves consumers
in 17 other states.
....Morales advised Texas consumers not to send money or personal information
to anyone who claims they can obtain refunds.
....One rumor is that consumers can get up to $1,400 by sending $5 and information
to the settlement claims administrator, Morales said.
....The false reports have been fueled by faxes and the Internet.
....The settlements, when they become final, are for purchases of Enfamil
and Similac formula between Jan. 1, 1980, and Dec. 31, 1992, in Florida,
Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, West
Virginia and Wisconsin, said Dennis Bottcher, a spokesman for the Louisiana
attorney general's office.
....Bottcher said the per-person settlement probably will be between $5
and $45, and won't be paid until late 1997.
....Morales reached a settlement with the formula makers in 1995. The companies
agreed to deliver $1 million worth of formula and other specialized products
and pay $500,000 in legal fees.
- 12/14 - Report: Texas Violating Fed Medicaid Regs: Texas may
be violating federal Medicaid regulations because the state board regulating
nursing home administrators is two-thirds made up of industry members, according
to a published report.
....The Austin American-Statesman reported Friday that the state apparently
is in violation of a Medicaid rule that prohibits a majority of the board
from working in or representing one profession or institution.
....The Texas Board of Nursing Facility Administrators includes three public
representatives and six nursing home administrators.
....State and federal officials are trying to determine whether the state
must designate a new board. Board members are appointed by the governor.
...."It's up in the air right now," said Susan Steeg, general
counsel for the Texas Department of Health, which provides staff support
to the board.
...."There is some inconsistency in what's in that (federal) regulation
and what we're doing ... Whether that constitutes some violation, I'm not
sure."
....If Texas is found to be noncompliant with the law, state officials would
have to change the board, said Mitchell Chunn, a health insurance specialist
for the federal Health Care Financing Administration.
- 12/14 - Despite Burglary, Christmas On: Just like the infamous
Grinch, thieves who stole boxes full of Christmas presents from a children's
home in Mission were unable to halt the Christmas spirit.
....Since word of last week's burglary at the Rio Grande Children's Home
made the news, residents have donated almost $2,500 in cash, teddy bears,
wrapped gifts and food to make sure the 77 children who live there have
a Christmas celebration.
....Cassandra Trevio, a 6-year-old from neighboring San Juan, donated her
allowance to help replace the toys. And Marcos de la Garza, a first-grader
at a day school that is part of the children's home, donated a $50 gift
certificate he won in a class raffle.
...."There has just absolutely been an outpouring of generosity and
love from our community, from the whole Valley," said vocational teacher
Lou Shamblin, whom the students call "Aunt Lou."
- 12/13 - Morales May Be Breaking the
Law with Security Officers
- 12/13 - Bush Calls in Rangers to Look
into Lottery "Full Disclosure"
- 12/13 - Licensing agency lists problems
in prison buildup
- 12/12 - Republicans taking a look at
'their' Senate
- 12/11 - Republicans Gain Control of Texas Senate: Republicans
became the majority party in the Texas Senate for the first time in more
than a century as West Texas voters selected GOP state Rep. Robert Duncan
over Democrat David Langston, a former mayor of Lubbock, in a special election
to fill a Senate vacancy.
....Final but unofficial results had Duncan finishing with 32,425 votes,
or 57 percent, to Langston's 24,661 votes, or 43 percent.
....Meanwhile, Republican incumbent Steve Stockman, whose militia-friendly
views drew fire in his first term, lost to Democrat challenger Nick Lampson
in the hotly contested 9th District congressional race, one of three House
runoffs Tuesday in Southeast Texas.
....With 96 percent of the vote reported, Lampson had a 55 percent to 45
percent margin over Stockman.
....Another Democrat, Ken Bentsen, won a second term in the 25th District,
defeating GOP hopeful Dolly Madison McKenna 56 percent to 44 percent with
41 percent of the vote reported.
....In the contest pitting two Republicans in the 8th District, Kevin Brady
topped Gene Fontenot to succeed departing Republican Jack Fields, who did
not seek re-election. Brady had 60 percent and Fontenot 40 percent with
78 percent of the vote in.
- 12/11 - Ainsworth's Pleas Made Texas History: Former Ranger
Mayor Ronnie Ainsworth made history Monday when he entered pleas to six
felony indictments.
....Ainsworth's case was the first in Texas to result in a conviction under
a new program set up by Texas Insurance Commissioner Elton Bomer that allows
Insurance Fraud Unit attorneys to help district attorneys across the state
to prosecute insurance fraud.
....Ainsworth, who was voted out of office in a recall election in April,
pleaded guilty to one count of theft by a public servant and two counts
of securing the execution of a document by deception. He also received deferred
adjudication on an additional felony charge of securing the execution of
a document by deception.
....Ainsworth committed all the offenses while serving as mayor of Ranger.
Eastland County Criminal District Attorney Mike Siebert appointed John A.
Peralta, an attorney with the Insurance Fraud Unit, as a special prosecutor.
- 12/11 - Plano Woman Charged Because of Son's Tardiness: A Plano
woman has been sentenced to 90 days' probation because her 5-year-old son
has arrived late for kindergarten so often.
....Caroline Edens' son, Sam Bundy, was tardy repeatedly for kindergarten
classes at Thomas Elementary School, but Edens was the one hauled into municipal
court on truancy charges.
....She argued that her son is a "night owl" who doesn't like
to go to bed early.
...."They want to come into your life and tell you how to be as a parent,"
Edens, an underwriter for a Dallas insurance company, said Monday. "I
could not believe that they would be charging me with tardies."
....Getting to school on time is a habit that students learn, so it is never
too early for them to understand the importance of being in school, district
officials say.
....."Filing truancy charges in court is a last-ditch effort,"
Larry Guin, executive director of student management for the district, said.
....The charges against Edens will be dismissed if she follows the terms
of her probation. If she doesn't, she will be fined $200.
- 12/10 - Incumbents Shell Out Funds
for Texas Runoff Elections
- 12/10 - Three Races, Control of Texas
Senate Face Voters
- 12/10 - Mills County Sheriff Runoff Today- A Nov. 5 tie between
candidates for Mills County sheriff will be decided today when voters return
to the polls for a runoff election.
Incumbent Sheriff Glenn Carr will face write-in candidate Darwin Odom at
the polls between 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
The pair tied with 888 votes each in November.
- 12/9 - Funds Disappeared when Atheists Did: Two atheist groups
once controlled by Madalyn Murray O'Hair say that $627,500 disappeared about
the same time that she, her son and adopted daughter vanished last year,
a newspaper reported Sunday.
....The American Atheists Inc. and the United Secularists of America reported
$625,000 in missing assets to the Internal Revenue Service, according to
the San Antonio Express-News.
....O'Hair, 78; her son, Jon Garth Murray; and her adopted daughter, Robin
Murray-O'Hair, mysteriously vanished in the summer of 1995. O'Hair is best
known for filing the lawsuit that in 1963 led the U.S. Supreme Court to
outlaw prayer in public schools.
....The two organizations reporting the losses are among five operated in
Austin by the Murray O'Hairs to promote atheism and the separation of church
and state. No funds are reported missing from the other three.
....According to the United Secularists of America's 1995 tax statement,
"The $612,000 shown as a decrease in net assets or fund balance represents
the value of the ... assets believed to be in the possession of Jon Murray.
- 12/9 - Origin of Snyder Fire Still Unknown: The origin of a
fire last Thursday that destroyed a Snyder cleaning and laundry, with 70
coats collected in a charity drive, may not be known for several days.
....That's the assessment of the State Fire Marshal's office after a review
of the evidence at the site of Snyder Dry Cleaning Laundry and Linen Supply.
....The loss was pegged at more than $500,000, with Snyder firefighters
calling it the biggest fire in Scurry County in recent memory. Terry McDowell,
Snyder fire chief, said 33 firefighters were involved in the Thursday firefight.
....A local coat drive sponsored by St. Mary Family Health Care Center lost
70 jackets that had been collected and were to have been cleaned at the
business before distribution.
....Dave Wickline, owner of the business that was established in the 1950s,
also owns Better Cleaners in Colorado City. He said the Colorado City location
will now accept coats and jackets donated in the drive. Coats are being
collected in Snyder, Andrews and Hobbs, N.M., for distribution, said Carla
Nunley, supervisor at St. Mary.
- 12/8 - A Year After Speed Limit Increase,
Deaths on the Rise
- 12/8 - VP Gore Wants to Save Wrong "Texas
Eagle
- 12/8 - Recount Upholds Place's Election: A recount has upheld
state Rep. Allen Place's election to a fourth term as the state House District
59 representative.
....A recount Friday showed Place had a 12-vote lead over Republican challenger
Becky Farrar, 15,399-15,387. On Nov. 5, the results showed Place with a
70-vote lead.
...."It was close to begin with, and as it turned out it got even closer,"
said Place, D-Gatesville, a member of the Texas House since 1990.
....."I knew the task of unseating an incumbent was a formidable one,"
Ms. Farrar said in a written statement. "I did my best in this campaign
and so did hundreds of volunteers and supporters."
- 12/7 - Bush Tax Ideas Opposed by Common Cause: Gov. George
W. Bush's ideas for replacing local property taxes as the main funding source
for Texas schools would put too much of the tax burden on middle- and low-income
families, according to a government watchdog group.
....Common Cause of Texas announced Friday that it opposes Bush's proposals
to increase the state sales tax, impose new business taxes or somehow combine
the two. The group said that instead, the state should consider a state
income tax and other measures to reduce tax burdens while providing school
funding.
...."The best defense against being overtaxed is to have everyone pay
his or her fair share," said Common Cause Chairman Briscoe Swan.
....Since last year, Bush has talked about the need to replace local property
taxes as the main funding source for schools. Those taxes raise about $10
billion a year.
....Bush's office has not announced a formal tax replacement plan and has
set no deadline to do so, according to his office.
...."The governor's preference for providing property tax relief is
through simple, fair and consumption-based revenues, rather than taxing
savings or property," said Bush spokesman Ray Sullivan. "A consumption
tax, like a sales tax, gives consumers a choice based on how much they purchase
rather than paying property tax, where they have no choice in the matter."
....Bush and other state leaders have said a state income tax will not be
considered. Railroad,
- 12/7 - PUC Commissioners Say Agencies Should Merge: The state
agencies that oversee the petroleum and utility industries in Texas should
merge, according to a state lawmaker and two members of the commissions.
....Railroad Commissioner Charles Matthews says the trend of utility companies
buying natural gas companies has pushed the industries closer together,
linking their regulation.
...."It's not impossible, but it's going to be difficult to deal with
regulating gas when so many of those decisions are made by companies in
the business of generating electricity," Matthews said.
....He said the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas Public Utility Commission
should be merged to reflect the industry changes.
.....PUC Commissioner Robert Gee said he's considered the same idea, but
isn't sure who should have the job.
- 12./7 - Statewide Internet Sex Ring Broken: A statewide sex
ring that police claim used the Internet to provide male prostitutes has
been broken up after an eight-month investigation, authorities say.
....William Bloss, 66, was arrested Thursday at his San Antonio home. He
is alleged to be the kingpin of the ring, which reportedly had about 60
men charging up to $150 per sexual encounter in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas
and Houston.
...."This is pretty unusual," said San Antonio police spokesman
Sgt. Joery Smittick. "Usually, they (prostitution rings) are pretty
much localized."
....Bloss was taken to the Bexar County Jail and charged with organized
crime - aggravated promotion of prostitution. Bond was set at $150,000.
.....The charge is a third-degree felony, carrying a penalty of between
two and 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- 12/6 - Selena Costume to be In Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit: The
purple pantsuit worn by Tejano singer Selena at an Astrodome show one month
before her 1995 murder will be added to the Smithsonian Institution's traveling
exhibit.
....The exhibit, "America's Smithsonian," opens Friday in Houston
but the costume will not go on public display until the day after a Dec.
12 showing for members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and their guests.
...."It's a great honor for the Mexican-American community," said
Sylvia Cavazos, a board member of the chamber.
- 12/6 - Police Search for Clues in Boy's Murder: Duncanville
police searched for clues today in the death of an 11-year-old boy who was
found tied up and slain in a back bedroom of his ransacked house.
....The boy's stepfather discovered Slade Allen Howell after coming home
from work shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, said Keith Bilbrey, a police
officer in this Dallas suburb.
....The sixth-grader's arms were bound to his side with a cord and his legs
also were tied, Bilbrey said. He suffered a head wound, but the exact cause
of death won't be known until an autopsy is completed.
- 12/5 - Sharp outlines $1.2 billion in
savings
- 12/5 - Nursing Homes Lawsuit Up in Air Until February: Nursing
home representatives will have to wait until February to find out if their
lawsuit against the Texas Health Department will go forward.
....The Texas Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, filed
the lawsuit earlier this year to challenge the Medicaid rate paid to nursing
homes. The group said a rate increase meant to offset the new federal minimum
wage law is $27.5 million short of what's needed.
....U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks on Tuesday recessed a hearing the in
case until Feb. 7. DHS is expected to set new nursing home Medicaid rates
in January.
- 12/5 - Texas Has Highest Incarceration Rate: Stiffer sentencing
guidelines for violent criminals and a tougher parole board have helped
Texas maintain the highest incarceration rate in the country, according
to a study released Wednesday.
....A state's incarceration rate is based on the number of prisoners per
100,000 population.
....Texas, which also led the country in 1994, was first in 1995 with 653;
Louisiana second with 568; and Oklahoma third with 561. California was 12th
with 416 and New York was 18th with 378, according to the report released
by the Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council. ....A revision of the state's
criminal code in 1993 and a parole board less inclined to release prisoners
are reasons for the state's high incarceration rate, said Tony Fabelo, executive
director of the policy council.
- 12/5 - State Had Most Toxic Accidents: Texas led the nation
in number of reported toxic chemical accidents from 1993 through last year,
accounting for a fifth of all U.S. accidental releases, an environmental
group says.
....More than 23,100 accidents involving the release of toxic chemicals
were reported nationwide during the three-year period, U.S. Public Interest
Research Group said in a study issued Wednesday.
....Texas accounted for 4,537 cases - of which 75 were accidents resulting
in death, injury or evacuation, the Washington-based group said. The study
was based on the National Environmental Law Center's review of accidents
reported to the Environmental Protection Agency.
- 12/4 - Audit Shows Lone Star Card
Program Needs Changes, Clarifications
- 12/4 - Insurance Group Wants Zero-Tolerance
on Speeding Tickets
- 12/4 - Hot Line Receives Sexual Misconduct Complaints: Twenty-one
callers have phoned a military hot line to complain of sexual misconduct
at Fort Sam Houston, an Army post already in turmoil in the wake of a controversial
drinking trip to Mexico.
.....Sixteen of the complaints have been referred to the Army Criminal Investigation
Command.
...."We are taking every call seriously," Brig. Gen. Bettye Simmons
of Fort Sam Houston was quoted as saying in Tuesday's San Antonio Express-News.
"It is our responsibility."
....Brig. Gen. Simmons, deputy commander of the Army Medical Department
Center at School on the post, is in charge of reviewing sexual harassment
policies at the school.
....Two weeks ago, post officials revealed 44 disciplinary actions have
been taken in sexual misconduct cases at the school over the past two years.
At the time, post officials said they knew of no calls to the worldwide
Army hot line complaining of Fort Sam Houston.
....Release of those statistics followed reports that sexual misconduct
allegations arose from an Army-sponsored trip in February to Nuevo Laredo,
Mexico, during which drill sergeants and instructors from Fort Sam Houston
took part in wild drinking binges with Army students.
....The Army hot line was established after a sex scandal surfaced at Aberdeen
Proving Ground in Maryland. So far more than 5,700 calls have been placed
complaining of sexual misconduct.
- 12/3 - Roby Ticket Paid Second Highest Amount: The winning
lottery ticket which apparently was purchased by 43 residents of the West
Texas town of Roby is the second-largest single winning ticket in Texas
Lottery history.
....Lottery officials said Monday that the jackpot from the Nov. 27 drawing
totaled $46.66million. That prize will be paid in 20 annual installments
of $2.3 million each.
....No one had come forward to claim it by late Monday, said lottery spokeswoman
Eileen Reid.
....The largest jackpot to go to one ticket was $53.9 million, won by Joe
Jones of Mansfield on Nov. 16, 1994, Ms. Reid said.
- 12/3 - Class-Action Order to Give Parents Interest: A judge
entered a class-action order Monday providing for parents to collect interest
on past-due child support, a sum plaintiffs attorneys say could total billions
of dollars.
...."This is based on the fundamental proposition that child support
is not a request. It is a court order. These are just and valid debts owed
to the children of the state of Texas," plaintiffs' lawyer Steven Sinkin
said.
....State District Judge John D. Gabriel Jr. ruled custodial parents who
have been owed back child support would be certified as a class in the case.
- 12/3 - Magistrate Considering Tobacco Suit Information: A federal
magistrate says he wants to decide before the end of the year what information
the state has to share with tobacco companies in its $4 billion lawsuit
against the industry.
....At a hearing in Beaumont Monday, U.S. Magistrate Wendell C. Radford
ordered Attorney General Dan Morales and attorneys for the tobacco industry
to come up with proposals on evidence the state must reveal in connection
with its lawsuit.
....He set another hearing for Dec. 15 to consider the lists of information.
....The state is suing major tobacco companies, public relations firms and
tobacco industry groups for $4 billion, which Morales says has been spent
in state and federal Medicaid money to treat tobacco-related illnesses in
Texas.
....Last month, Radford ordered the tobacco industry to produce thousands
of documents used in a similar Minnesota case. He also ordered the state
to produce evidence to support its $4 billion claim.
- 12/2 - Too Many Calls to 911 Just
Aren't Emergencies
- 12/2 - Texas Communities Benefit from
AIDS Awareness, Research
- 12/2 - LaBelle Excavation Running Out
of Cash
- 12/1 - New "Lone Star Card"
Problems Revealed
- 12/1 - Texas Women Rank Low in Clout, Etc: Women in Texas lag
well behind their counterparts in other states when measured by the yardstick
of income, political clout, economic self-sufficiency and health, a women's
research group contends.
....Under a ratings system established by the Institute for Women's Policy
Research, a Washington-based liberal think tank, Texas ranks in the bottom
half in all but one of the four categories surveyed.
....In that category, employment and earnings, Texas ranks 18th among all
states and the District of Columbia. The category measures women's earnings,
the gap between men and women's pay, the number of women in managerial or
professional jobs and number of women in the overall labor force.
....Looking just at the difference between men and women's earnings, Texas
reported one of the smaller gaps in the country, ranking eighth. Women in
Texas earned an average 72 cents for every $1 earned by a man - slightly
higher than the national median of 68.5 cents for every dollar earned by
a man.
.....But Texas women also have a slightly lower median annual salary than
women elsewhere, earning $18,000 to their counterparts' $18,780. Texas men,
by contrast, had a median salary of $25,000 compared to the national $27,430
median.
All content copyright 1996, Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services,
Associated Press, The Abilene Reporter-News and Reporter OnLine
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