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Thursday, February 27, 1997

Highlights Wednesday from Austin

AUSTIN (AP) - Some lottery money would be earmarked for education for the first time under a bill passed by Texas senators.

Approval Wednesday came despite questions about how it would work and a warning that it doesn't mean increased school funding.

The bill by Sen. Drew Nixon, R-Carthage, would set aside for education any savings from putting lottery contracts up for competitive bidding. It was approved Wednesday by the Senate and goes to the House for consideration.

Of the savings, 95 percent would go the state's foundation school fund and 5 percent to the Texas Workforce Commission for community-based adult literacy programs.

"I think it does start to make good on the promise that legislators made four or five years ago when they passed the lottery," Nixon said, referring to the erroneous belief of some Texans that lottery revenue would go to schools.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, stressed that the bill wouldn't mean additional money for education unless budget-writers appropriate more funding.

If there is no additional appropriation, the dedicated funds would just replace other money from the state treasury that now goes to education.

"I want to make sure that everybody who is within the sound of my voice understands it doesn't mean one more penny in public education," Ratliff said.

"It is very difficult to vote against something that says we're going to dedicate money to education, but I don't want to play a shell game with the people of Texas," he said. "I don't want to deceive the people of Texas."

The lottery on Tuesday announced that it had sought new, competitive bids for its scratch-card games and saved $4.3 million a year. The state spends about $8-1/2 billion a year on public education.

Lottery profits currently go to the general revenue fund, which pays for most state services including education.

Elsewhere:

McDUFF LOSES

One of death row's most notorious residents, Kenneth Allen McDuff, lost another legal battle when the Court of Criminal Appeals refused to reconsider his case. The appeals court said it won't again hear McDuff's appeal of his death sentence in the disappearance and murder of Colleen Reed of Austin.

INMATE HEALTH

Families of Texas prisoners spoke up against a House bill that would require inmates to pay part of the cost of their medical care. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Todd Staples, is similar to a bill already passed by the Senate. It would require a $3 co-payment from inmates with money in their prison accounts.

HIT-AND-RUN

Harsher punishment for juvenile hit-and-run drivers passed another hurdle with approval from a House committee. The bill, already passed by the Senate, is in memory of a 12-year-old who died after being struck by a teen-age motorist in Houston.

AND...

Beginning Saturday, the Department of Public Safety will operate a toll-free hot line for Texans to report suspected drug trafficking.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"You don't get to go home and get a degree in 'Gilligan's Island' any more."

- Bexar County official Peter Koelling, about alternative education programs.Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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