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Thursday, February 27, 1997

Dallas lawmaker sponsors offbeat bills

By CHRIS NEWTON Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) - In state Rep. Tony Goolsby's perfect world, adolescent body piercing would need a parent's OK, holders of overdue library books could be jailed and college students would play drinking games with soda instead of beer.

Overhauling the state's education system it's not. But Goolsby, R-Dallas, says his bills are aimed at improving life a little for the average Texan.

"Not every law has to part the Red Sea," said Goolsby, 54, who is serving his fifth term in the Legislature. "Sometimes it's the little laws that can change our lives the most. These aren't ideas I made up. ... They are issues my constituents brought to me."

Goolsby, who ran unopposed last fall, has introduced legislation this session that would:

-Make it a misdemeanor to arrange, conduct or participate in games where the primary intent is getting drunk. An example is "quarters," where the idea is to bounce a quarter into a glass or take a drink if you miss.

"I don't have a darn thing against drinking," Goolsby said. "But about three years ago, a young man from one of my schools was involved in a drinking game. He drank a quart of rum and is dead now because of alcohol poisoning. That's serious."

-Give lawmakers the power to perform weddings.

"This is kind of a personal one, because I've known people over the years who haven't wanted to get married and thought it might be nice if I could marry them. I haven't asked for a hearing for that one yet."

-Make it illegal for adolescents to have their body pierced without parental consent.

"That came from PTA members who said they were seeing these damn rings all over kids. This bill isn't a joke. Those things can lead to a serious infection."

-Make it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine, to hold library books more than 10 days past their due date. Nonpayment of the fine could lead to an arrest.

"You have to realize that libraries lose thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money every year. The goal is to get the books back - not put people in jail."

-Create regulatory commissions to oversee plaster contractors and geologists.

Republican Party chairman Tom Pauken said it is not unusual for lawmakers to support legislation that serves a niche.

"If these are things his people are bringing to him as concerns, then it's his job to support those things," Pauken said.

Lisa Payne, Dallas County's Democratic Party chairwoman, said Goolsby's attempts at useful legislation don't represent the needs of many constituents.

"If more people took an active role in government, legislators would get a more accurate picture of what is really important to people," Ms. Payne said. "Some lawmakers only hear from a very vocal few and act on what they want."

Janice May, an associate professor of government at the University of Texas, characterized most of Goolsby's concerns as better left to local government.

"Those really don't sound like things the state should become involved in," Ms. May said. "He's going to need an awful lot of ammunition to show that there is a need to make those ideas law."

But Goolsby says his critics didn't elect him.

"My main concern is serving the people who put me here," he said. "These bills will do just that." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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