Austin American-Statesman METRO STATE Thursday, March 8, 2007 B5 80TH LEGISLATURE Breaking news, in-depth stories, top issues and an e-mail newsletter service are available at Cancer research plan pushed CAPITOL CAPITOL ROUNDUP Lawmakers propose invest $3 billion in 10 years for initiatives By April Castro ASSOCIATED PRESS With the ambitious goal of finding a cancer cure, lawmakers filed legislation Wednesday that would invest as much as $300 million a year to fund a wide range of cancer research initiatives in Texas. Gov. Rick Perry, joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, called the proposal a "landmark investment in a collaborative research effort that can put Texas on the leading edge of developing new therapies for cancer treatment." The American Cancer SociSusan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation will participate in collaboration with private companies, state universities, medical schools and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
An estimated 35,000 Texans die of cancer every year, and 85,000 cases are diagnosed. "By funding a 10-year cancer research plan, pouring close to $300 million a year into our university and scientific labs each year, we're going to attract some of the brightest minds in the world, bring our institutions of medicine and higher learning together in a never-before-seen collaborative effort in developing groundbreaking Texas voters would need to approve a November ballot measure that would allow the state to borrow against bonds to fund the Cancer Research Institute of Texas. In his budget proposal, Perry had proposed using proceeds from selling the state lottery to a private company. "How this effort is funded isn't nearly as important as whether it does get funded," Perry said. "I'm comfortable with allowing the will of the Legislature to work in this regard." Though the idea of selling the lottery has not gained traction in the Legislature, Perry spokesman Ted Royer said the governor continues to support it.
The legislation creating the fund was filed by Rep. Jim Kefand Sen. Jane Cancer research has traditionally been funded by the federal government. The National Cancer Institute spent about $4.7 billion on research in 2006 in its own labs and through grants to universities, hospitals, foundations and private businesses. In recent years, however, a few states have moved toward funding their own initiatives.
In 2004, California voters approved a plan to spend about $300 million a year for the next decade on stem cell research. The Texas fund is the brainchild of Cathy Bonner, a long- Harry Cabluck ASSOCIATED PRESS time Austin insider and friend Isabelle Carpenter, 9, was among those who turned out Ann Richards, Wednesday at the Capitol to support a measure by state of former Gov. Rep. who died of cancer last year. Beverly Woolley, R-Houston, that would keep stem cell research Bonner took the idea to Perry's legal in Texas.
Isabelle has juvenile diabetes. office and enlisted the support of lawmakers and the cancer re- fer, R-Eastland, key particisearch," Perry said. Nelson, R-Lewisville. pating foundations. GAMBLE: Industry not uniting on legislative front open the possibility of joining forces with casino operators.
"We're not in opposition to casinos," said Austin lobbyist Reggie Bashur, who represents the track owners. "We're all moving in the same direction." Behind the scenes, the debate is on whether state leaders are more likely to take smaller steps towards expanding gambling or to do it all at once. Dallasite Jack Pratt, with 45 years of experience in Las Vegas-style casinos, leads the group of casino advocates. "As long as track owners think they can get a monopoly, they'll be reluctant to come over," Pratt said. "The pie is big enough.
There's no reason for anyone to be greedy." Only last week, Bashur said, the track owners resolved differences within their own camp. If the state approved slot machines at the tracks, the machines could be installed at five horse tracks, including Manor Downs, and three dog tracks. In addition, two groups, one in Amarillo and the Austin Jockey Club, have licenses but never built tracks. They are included in list of sites that would be in line for slot machines. The casino legislation is limited to big operators who would spend at least $400 million for land and development costs in urban areas and $200 million on island resorts.
One twist is the demand for quick action. If voters approved casino gambling in November, the legislation gives the governor until Jan. 1 to call a special session for enabling legislation. The state's tribes are likely to be included in any gambling legislation. In case the major gambling initiatives fail, Rep.
Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, has filed legislation to legalize gambling on Indian lands. Bingo operators are carefully watching the maneuvering. Video lottery terminals "at the tracks would decimate charitable bingo," said industry lobbyist Steve Bresnen, "unless bingo is given a product to compete with." Bresnen said that 1,400 or so bingo operators would want approval for electronic bingo to give their customers more action. Charitable bingo would be no small hurdle. Imagine the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Order of the Red Men and the Knights of Columbus fraternities calling their legislators.
Suzii Paynter, a gambling opponent with the Christian Life Commission, said it doesn't really matter whether opponents are battling one massive bill or a host of little ones. "It's never easy to kill a gambling bill," Paynter said. "The devil is in the details." FIRE: Restaurant hopes to offer limited menu this week Mother's Cafe Garden 38th St. Hanco*ckGolf Course 35 E. mile 381.
St. AMERICAN -STATESMAN Continued from B1 Continued from B1 45th St. St. St 41st St. Duval River Red them he had set the fire while cooking steaks on a small barbecue pit and trying to keep warm.
He told them he fell asleep and woke up to see flames. "I had a cook fire, and I fell asleep," Evans said as he was leaving the area around the restaurant. "Next thing I know, it was on fire. It burned up everything I own." Investigators contemplated criminal charges against Evans. Then they decided he should go free.
"He didn't commit a crime," Austin fire investigator Lt. Ron Skolnik said. "There was no intent to damage the building, ANDERSON, Lillie Evelyn, 95, homemaker, of Georgetown, formerly of Round Rock, died Wednesday. Visitation 5 p.m. Friday, Beck Funeral Home, Round Rock.
Services 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Palm Valley Lutheran Church, Round Rock. Burial Palm Valley Lutheran Cemetery. ATEL, Ester Mae, 76, retired nurse, of Austin died Monday. Visitation 9 a.m.
Friday, King Tears Mortuary. Services 10 a.m. Saturday, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. Burial Evergreen Cemetery. BRADLEY, James Earl, 63, retired from Air Force, of Austin died March 1.
Survived by wife Wylma. Visitation 6 p.m. today, Oaks Funeral Home. Services 10 a.m. Friday, Zion Rest Missionary Baptist Church.
Burial Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen. BROOKS, Gracie, 95, homemaker, of Lampasas died Wednesday. Visitation 6 p.m. Friday, Sneed Funeral Chapel, Lampasas. Services 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sneed. Burial Rock Church Cemetery, Rumley. BURNETT, Kimberly Lynn, 47, medical technician, of Austin died Sunday. Visitation 9. a.m.
Friday, King-Tears Mortuary. Services 11 a.m. Saturday, King-Tears. Burial Evergreen Cemetery. CALHOUN, John 62, handyman, of McDade died Tuesday.
Survived by wife Carolyn McKeeCalhoun. Visitation 5 p.m. Friday, Elgin Funeral Home, Elgin. Services 2 p.m. Saturday, Elgin.
Burial McDade Cemetery, McDade. CHARANZA, Lillie 84, retired homemaker, of Houston died Sunday. Visitation 7:30 a.m. today, Phillips REGULATION tomorrow," Chisum said. "It might be a $5 billion deal, but Package stores are returning fire In a slap back at wholesale liquor distributors, package liquor stores are asking the state to require liquor manufacturers to sell their products to any company that wants to buy them.
House Bill 2525, filed by Rep. Harold Dutton D-Houston, would end the exclusive distribution arrangements liquor makers have with wholesale distributors of their choosing. Package stores and distributors have been fighting since it was discovered that distributors backed political contributions million tomore than 150 state legislators last fall. Wholesale liquor distributors said at the time that they wanted the Legislature to require restaurants, bars and clubs to buy only from them rather than package stores, as current law requires. Instead, wholesale distributors are backing a bill filed by Rep.
Pat Haggerty, R-El Paso, that would allow restaurants, bars and clubs to buy from either package stores or distributors. BUDGET No firm price tag on Medicaid lawsuit State leaders are trying to determine the price tag for complying with a Medicaid lawsuit that began 14 years ago. House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, warned Wednesday that the Legislature might have to consider across-the-board budget cuts if a federal judge lays out remedies in April costing as much as $5 billion. But Rep. Warren Chisum, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, downplayed that worst-case scenario.
"It won't be $5 billion not right away." The Pampa Republican said he is trying to get a better understanding what the state agreed to do under a 1996 consent decree. The decree was the result of a 1993 lawsuit in which mothers complained that the state was not giving their children preventive health care as required under the federal Medicaid program. Enforcement of the decree got tied up in another round of litigation and appeals that the state has finally lost. STEM CELLS Lawmaker working to keep studies legal Moved by the stories of people with incurable diseases and the science that promises them help, Rep. Beverly Woolley, with bipartisan support, filed a bill that keeps stem cell research legal in Texas, sets up a commission to provide ethical guidelines for the research and bans human cloning.
It remains to be seen whether Woolley, R-Houston, will have success persuading a House majority to back a law that critics say ignores ethical issues about the use of embryonic stem cells. Groups such as the Texas Alliance for Life, the Texas Catholic Conference and the Free Market Foundation oppose the bill; they had representatives in the small crowd that gathered Wednesday at the Capitol to hear Woolley and others discuss the bill. "Certainly our garden, which is our preferred seating area, was a total loss," Alexander said. "With a little bit of wiping of surfaces, the kitchen is 100 percent good." Alexander said he was familiar with Evans and agreed that he should not be charged. The fire was reported about 5 a.m., when a cook arrived to DEATH NOTICES Services 1:30 p.m.
today, Elizabeth Lutheran Cemetery, Caldwell. CROMEANS, Ernest 86, retired photographer, of Austin died Monday. Services 1 p.m. today, Cook-Walden Funeral Home, Lamar location. Burial Hill Cemetery, Pflugerville.
CRUZ, Frank 0., 70, retired from Navy, of Austin died Monday. Survived by wife Guadalupe. Rosary 7 p.m. today, Mission Funeral Home. Services 10 a.m.
Friday, Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial Assumption Cemetery. FARR, Leila, 91, of Lometa died Tuesday. Visitation 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Briggs-Gamel-Wilcox Funeral Home, Lampasas.
Services 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Lometa City Cemetery. GARCIA-CEDENO, Vicente, 75, retired from Army, of Austin Monday. Survived by wife Berta. Services 10 a.m.
today, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Burial Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen. Arrangements by Harrell. GARZA, Velia, 51, of San Marcos died Wednesday.
Services pending. Arrangements by Thomason, San Marcos. GRAY, Jordan 48, airline pilot, of Horseshoe Bay died Monday. Survived by wife Sabina. Services 1 p.m.
Friday, Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, Marble Falls. Burial Horseshoe Bay Mausoleum. JOHNSON, Helen Frances, 85, of Thorndale died Tuesday. Visitation noon and services 1 p.m. Friday, San Gabriel Christian Church, San Gabriel.
Burial Conley Cemetery, near Thorndale. Arrangements by Providence, Taylor. JOHNSON, Tillman 73, retired John Evans walks away from Mother's Cafe Garden after he was released by police and fire investigators Wednesday. 'I had a cook fire, and I fell he said of causing the predawn blaze while he tried to cook steaks. Jay Janner AMERICANSTATESMAN start preparing for the day, according to Capt.
Rob Bredahl. The cook escaped unharmed. The fire caused about $500,000 in damage. Skolnik said Evans "was sorry that this happened. He was very apologetic." 445-3605 Additional material from photographer Jay Janner.
MELROSE-MASON, Krishauna Sharell, 26, case worker, of Austin died Feb. 28. Services 11 a.m. today, Christ Community Church. Burial Hopewell Cemetery, Round Rock.
Arrangements by Fuller-Sheffield. SEDERHOLM, Douglas Jeffrey, 52, of Austin, formerly of Denton, died Tuesday. Services will be private. Arrangements by All Faiths, north location. SHEFFIELD, Wilbur 66, pharmacist, of Fredericksburg, formerly of Brownwood, died Monday.
Survived by wife Kay. Services 3 p.m. Monday, Greenwood Cemetery, Fredericksburg. Arrangements by Schaetter, Fredericksburg. SIMS, Arthur 63, counselor, of Austin died Feb.
27. Survived by wife Tracy A. Richard. Services 11 a.m. Saturday, New Light Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Burial Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements by Fuller-Sheffield. VARBLE, Hattie Elizabeth, 70, retired housewife, of Austin died Friday. Survived by husband Bill. Visitation 6 p.m.
today, Austin-Peel and Son Funeral Home. Services 11 a.m. Saturday, Austin-Peel and Son. Burial Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville. WARE, Amanda Marie, 14, of Harker Heights died Monday.
Visitation 4 p.m. Sunday, Heritage Funeral Home, Harker Heights. Services 1:30 p.m. Monday, Lifeway Fellowship Church, Killeen. Burial Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen.
WILSON, Jim, 53, constable, of Granite Shoals, formerly of Leander, died Monday. Survived by wife Patches. Services 2 p.m. today, Beck Funeral Home, Cedar Park. Burial Bagdad Cemetery, Leander.
Quote of the day "If you have Dick Butkus running interference for you, you get to the finish line." Sen. Eddie Lucio D-Brownsville, voicing support for steroidtesting legislation. Butkus, a football Hall of Famer, was also on hand to support the bill. destroy property or endanger the safety of another. It was an accidental event." Mother's co-owner Cameron Alexander said he doesn't know when the restaurant will open again, but he hopes to open with a limited menu in the next few days using tents in the parking lot.
The kitchen, he said, was not badly damaged. FUND: House leaders to discuss options soon banker, of Hutto died Wednesday. Survived by wife Joyce. Services pending. Arrangements by Beck.
KIDD, Mary Jean, 87, of Austin, formerly of Houston and Oklahoma City, died Tuesday. Services will be private. Arrangements by Eeds, Lockhart. KRIEGEL, Alvin 0. 'Buddy' 75, retired radio engineer, of Austin died Tuesday.
Visitation 6 p.m. Friday, Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Services 11 a.m. Saturday, Oakwood Cemetery Annex. KRUEGER, Eleanor, 58, child protective services specialist, of Granite Shoals died Tuesday.
Survived by husband Leonard. Services 11 a.m. Friday, First Assembly of God, Marble Falls. Arrangements by ClementsWilcox, Marble Falls. KUBALA, Edith Jane, 81, of Georgetown died March 3.
Rosary 4 p.m. Saturday, Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Granger. Arrangements by Heritage, Harker Heights. McBRIDE, Ermine, 95, of Austin died Monday. Visitation 6 p.m.
today, Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services. Services 11 a.m. Friday, Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Burial Assumption Cemetery. McKEE, Blanche Loree, 89, retired entrepreneur, of Austin died Saturday.
Visitation 9 a.m. Friday, KingTears Mortuary. Services noon Saturday, St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Burial Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville.
MEEKS, William Douglas, 62, security screener, of Georgetown died Wednesday. Services pending. Arrangements by the Gabriels, Georgetown. Continued from B1 created in 1996 until enrollment was closed four years ago, families could use it to lock in current tuition and fee rates years before their children went to college. When a student in the plan goes to college, the state gives that school the average cost of tuition and fees at that time.
But tuition has risen rapidly in recent years, so the plan has had to pay out more than its creators envisioned. That's helped create an anticipated deficit that could be as high as $3.3 billion by 2029, Combs reported last month. State leaders asked her to look at a couple of scenarios to close that gap. The first was to cap the tuition increases that the plan would cover. Combs reported back that lawmakers could require the plan to give schools only enough money to pay for annual tuition increases of up to 5 percent.
"The schools would have to make up the difference," Combs spokesman R.J. DeSilva said. Tuition increases at public universities have averaged 18 percent per year in the past five years, according to the Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Legislature used to set tuition, but it handed that authority to university regents in 2003. Some lawmakers say the regents have increased tuition more than they should have.
But some university officials say the state has forced their hand by not appropriating them enough money. Leaders also asked Combs how much the state would need to spend in additional dollars to erase the projected deficit by 2029. She said that would cost between $53 million per year for 19 years and $69 million per year for 21 years. Dewhurst said senators are working on a strategy to handle the shortfall. "So I'd like to see us be able to start the program again, but we've got a lot of work financially which we've got to do before we can start opening it back up again," he said.
Alexis DeLee, a spokeswoman for House Speaker Tom Craddick, said House leaders will meet with the tuition plan's board at the end of the month "to decide the best option to rectify this shortfall." Shortly after she took office in January, Combs asked a panel of advisers with finance and investment backgrounds to study the tuition plan. Combs' advisers attributed the deficits to rising tuition, questionable investment strategies by the fund's board and some faulty assumptions built into the program about how soon people will go to college after high school and how long it will take them to graduate..
