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Thursday, October 30, 1997
Lawmakers, Morales push crime victim fund amendment
AUSTIN (AP) -- Two state legislators and the attorney general
Wednesday urged voters to ratify a proposed constitutional amendment
they said is needed to protect the assets of the Crime Victims'
Compensation Fund.
Money in the fund is used to compensate victims of crime for
their out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills not covered
by insurance. Nearly all of the money in the fund comes from fines
against criminals.
Proposition 10 on Tuesday's ballot would prohibit the Legislature
from spending the fund's money for unrelated projects.
"Government may not be able to alleviate the physical
and emotional trauma suffered by victims of crime or their families,
but we can ease the financial burden, and in some cases keep a
victim out of a financial crisis," said Sen. Mike Moncrief,
D-Fort Worth.
Joining Moncrief was Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine. Both were
sponsors of the proposed amendment.
"It is only right that the perpetrators of crimes be required
to fund this program. And, it is only right that these funds be
used only for the benefit of victims of crime," Gallego said.
Attorney General Dan Morales, whose office administers the
fund, said it paid $28.3 million to 8,337 crime victims in the
last fiscal year.
Nearly half those receiving assistance were victims of aggravated
assault or assault, and 17 percent involved sexual abuse of a
child. Families of homicide victims accounted for 6.7 percent
of the assistance provided.
"For far too long government and the judiciary have been
overly concerned about the rights of criminals, to the detriment
of crime victims," Morales said.
"That momentum has been stopped. All of our energy is
in creating momentum for victims of crime. This amendment is a
significant push in that direction," he said.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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