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Wednesday, May 28, 1997
Program returns to Senate
AUSTIN (AP) - Texas' boll weevil eradication program, struck
down earlier this year by the state Supreme Court, would be revised
and restored under a bill approved 143-0 by the House.
The Supreme Court ruled the program unconstitutional because
it said the Legislature improperly delegated broad governmental
authority to the private Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation,
which administers the pesticide-spraying program.
That decision came in a lawsuit by 130 cotton growers in West
and South Texas who sued the foundation over its method of assessing
fees.
The Senate already has approved the bill revamping the program.
The House made changes in the measure before approving it Tuesday,
so the measure will return to the Senate for consideration of
those amendments.
Under the bill, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry would
gain more direct control of the eradication program, including
approving its budget.
Rio Grande Valley cotton growers who sued the foundation said
the spraying effort cost them sales by killing beneficial insects
that eat the boll weevil. But Sen. Robert Duncan, a Lubbock Republican
and sponsor of the measure, has said that's a disputed issue.
He said the program is valuable and eliminating it would lead
to massive crop losses.
The boll weevil destroys cotton by puncturing and laying its
eggs in the squares and bolls of the plant. Crop losses due to
the insect are estimated to be at least $20 million annually in
Texas, which leads the nation in cotton production.
Last year, Texas cotton growers produced 4.4 million bales,
producing sales of $1.4 billion.
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The boll weevil bill is SB1814. Send a Letter to
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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