ustxtxb_obs_1992_08_21_50_00024-00000_000.pdf

Postmaster: If undeliverable, send Form 3579 to The Texas Observer, 307 W. 7th St., Austin, Texas 78701 POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE BUDGET SMASHERS. The U.S. Senate revived hopes for the superconducting supercollider as a 62-32 vote Aug. 3 approved $550 million for the atom smasher under construction near Waxahachie. Both Texas senators supported the project, although Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who proposed diverting the money to child immunization and health care, reminded the Senate that Sen. Phil Gramm, RTexas, in a 1986 speech opposed government funding of science research and said such matters are better left to private corporations. “Where are all the budget balancers?” wondered Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., who sought to kill the $8.3 billion project which employs 7,800 people, but senators faced bipartisan pressure from President Bush and Governor Richards to save the smasher. Senate SSC supporters now must get the House which killed the SSC appropriation on June 17 to go along with the restoration of funds. The Fort Worth StarTelegram also reported that industries with contracts at stake are giving generously to the re-election campaigns of Texas lawmakers and other key congressmen in an effort to salvage the mammoth project. HARD LINE ON FREE TRADE. Bill Clinton and some Democrats in Congress may still have doubts about the labor and environ mental standards contained in a free-trade agree ment with Mexico, but Texas officials gener ally welcomed the agreement. Before the agreement was announced, Comptroller John Sharp, a Democrat, told the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce Clinton was wrong in his reservations and Sharp said all Texans should support the proposal. “There is not one person in the state of Texas who can benefit from an anti-free trade posi tion,” Sharp said in a speech reported by the San Antonio Express-News. “The problem with being against the free-trade agreement is folks that are looking at the next quarter instead of the next quarter-century.” Gov. Ann Richards applauded the pact, which she said would make “South Texas the front door to a $6 trillion market.” She said it sets the stage for improve ments in the environment, transportation and education costs. Labor leaders are still concerned that manufacturers will move blue-collar jobs south of the border, where labor costs are dramatically lower. DEATH ROW AID. A group of Colorado defense lawyers helping indigent Texas inmates on Death Row has gained its first stay of execution. Research done by the Colorado lawyers helped Irineo Tristan Montoya, 25, a Mexican national who was scheduled to die Aug. 6, gain the stay on July 31 from a trial court judge. Execution will be delayed at least until Sept. 15. Colorado Lawyers for Justice was formed after the Texas Resource Center, which was formed in 1988 to represent inmates facing the death penalty, issued a nationwide plea for help as its 14 attorneys have been overwhelmed by the rise in executions in Texas. “There are just no more lawyers in Texas who are willing to do this because Death Row is so out of control here,” Lane told the Austin American-Statesman, adding: “… it’s an outrage that only people with money can get their cases heard.” Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Texas has executed 50 inmates, including five in 1991, eight so far this year and 16 scheduled for execution in August and September, the AmericanStatesman reported. Texas has 364 people on Death Row. ABORTION CHOICES. The Texas Congressional delegation is split over the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify the right of women to choose abortion, although it would give states the right to require parental notice and to refuse state tax money for abortions. The Austin American-Statesman reported that supporters include Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, a co-sponsor in the Senate, and representatives Mike Andres, Houston; Jack Brooks, Beaumont; John Bryant, Dallas, Albert Bustamante, San Antonio; Martin Frost, Dallas, Jake Pickle, Austin and Craig Washington, Houston; all are Democrats. Opposed are Republicans Bill Archer, Houston; Joe Barton, Ennis; Tom DeLay of Sugar Land; Jack Fields, Humble, Sam Johnson, Plano; Lamar Smith, San Antonio; and Democrats Bill Sarpalius, Amarillo and Charles Stenholm, Stamford. Leaning toward the bill are Jim Chapman of Sulphur Springs, Ron Coleman of El Paso, Chet Edwards of Waco, Henry B. Gonzalez of San Antonio and Charles Wilson of Lufkin. Leaning against are Dick Armey, R-Lewisville and Ralph Hall, DRockwall. The newspaper got no response from Sen. Phil Gramm and reps. Larry Combest, RLubbock; Kika de la Garza, D-Mission; Pete Geren, D-Fort Worth; Greg Laughlin, D-West Columbia; and Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi. GAYFEST? Not if Corpus Christi City Councilmember Leo Guerrero can help it. In an interview with a local Spanish-language radio show, GUerrero said he supported a controversial council decision to put up a fence and charge a gate fee at the city’s “Bayfest.” Guerrero’s reason: fences and fees would “keep out the drunks, winos and those involved in homosexual activity.” His remarks were quoted in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. At Bayfest, Corpus Christi’s annual outdoor food, drink, crafts and music bash, Guerrero said, there have been problems with homosexuals soliciting children. Not so, according to Corpus Christi Police Chief Henry Garrett, who told the newspaper he recalls no arrests on solicitation charges on the seawall in the past several years. Guerrero’s statement drew fire from the city’s gay community leaders, who called for a public apology. Guerrero told the Observer, in a telephone interview, “I have nothing to apologize for … when I talked about homosexuality I stated very clearly I thought it was a sin from a moral aspect…. The only issue we were talking about was criminal activity, be it homosexual or heterosexual.” Guerrero said he meant no offense, and explained that the Spanish word for “homosexual” includes a wide range of illicit sexual sodomy, and child molestation. Corpus Christi Mayor Mary Rhodes called Guerrro’s comments regrettable and said they have no place in city council business. “It’s a shame, it’s stirred up a lot of hate,” Rhodes said. The city’s Human Rights Commission issued a formal reprimand against Guerrero. SOUTHERN STRATEGIES? Now there are two all Southern presidential tickets. Clinton Continued on pg. 21 24 AUGUST 21, 1992