Primary Election Picks

A JOURNAL OF FREE VOICES FEBRUARY 23, 1990 • $1.50

RICHARD BARTHOLOMEW DIALOGUE progressive activism consonant with our Lest Ye objective social, political, and economic Be Judged conditions. Our self-interest lies in This is self-defense against the double- supporting candidates who promote barrelled barrage leveled by Judge Bob progressive policies, regardless of their Gammage and his former law clerk, Cappy, ethnicity or gender. Obviously, because White. They objected to my criticism of a our people have been excluded from A JOURNAt OF FREE VOICES very important case in which Gammage running for the state's highest offices, there We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to voted against worker's privacy rights and, is a tendency to support the symbolism of the truth as we find it and the right as we see it. We any Hispanic state-wide candidacy. Mr. are dedicated to the whole truth, to human values even worse, voted to assess $51,000 in above all interests, to the rights of humankind as the attorney's fees against our client, Brenda Cisneros preys on that tendency and on foundation of democracy; we will take orders from Jennings. white liberal consciousness of that none but our own conscience, and never will we over- Cappy mentioned that he had sat at Ms. exclusion to try to browbeat Hispanics and look or misrepresent the truth to serve the interests of whites alike to support such a candidate. the powerful or cater to the ignoble in the human spirit. Jennings's counsel table during some of the Writers are responsible for their own work, but not trial in which we had tried to stop suspi- You do well to flush out the absurdity, for anything they have not themselves written, and in cionless random urinalysis; but what he arrogance, and danger of such a ploy. publishing them we do not necessarily imply that we didn't say — and what would have been Mr. Cisneros often talks of his disdain agree with them because this is a journal of free voices. fairer to tell the Observer readers — was for white liberals. Yet, when it's conven- SINCE 1954 that he had worked for Gammage a few ient he tries to guilt-trip them into line. Publisher: Ronnie Dugger years ago, and remains a close friend — The Hispanics we elect to office this Editor: Louis Dubose which is quite alright; but it's helpful to year will be in leadership positions for Associate Editor: Allan Freedman have all the cards on the table. Nor did years to come, providing hope and Copy Editor: Roxanne Bogucka Editorial Assistant: Brett Campbell Cappy have anything to do with the case direction for our community. These leaders Editorial Interns: Eva Llorefis, Stephen Merelman when the appeal crystallized. can move Hispanics in the direction of Washington Correspondent: Mary Anne Reilly There are two issues at stake. One is coalition-building with African Americans, Contributing Writers: Bill Adler, Betty Brink, whether "employment-at-will" means that a women, gays and lesbians, labor, environ- Warren Burnett, Jo Clifton, John Henry Faulk, Terry FitzPatrick, Gregg Franzwa, Bill Helmer, company can force a worker to surrender mentalists, etc., in order to build a truly James Harrington, Amy Johnson, Michael King, all her privacy rights on the job without jus- progressive movement in Texas, or they Mary Lenz, Dana Loy, Tom McClellan, Bryce tification. Gammage supported this arcane can move us to the right, in the direction of Milligan, Greg Moses, Debbie Nathan, Gary 19th Century precursor of Reaganomics. the Republican Party and away from our Pomerantz, John Schwartz, Michael Ventura, Lawrence Walsh That was not as shocking as his vote to collective self-interest. The stakes are, Editorial Advisory Board: Frances Barton, make Ms. Jennings pay attorney's fees to indeed, high. This election year offers Austin; Elroy Bode, Kerrville; Chandler her company, even though her husband was Texas a unique opportunity .. . Davidson, Houston; Dave Denison, Cambridge, Armando Gutierrez, candidate for State Mass; Bob Eckhardt, Washington, D.C.; Sissy disabled and her son was receiving Farenthold, Houston; Ruperto Garcia, Austin; reduced-cost meals at school. This was the Treasurer, is the perfect example of John Kenneth Galbraith, Cambridge, Mass.; first time that a Texas court upheld someone who has paid his dues in all Lawrence Goodwyn, Durham, N.C.; George attorney's fees against a plaintiff in a state facets of progressive politics. His activism Hendrick, Urbana, Ill.; Molly Ivins, Austin; Larry in the Hispanic community is legend. He L. King, Washington, D.C.; Maury Maverick, civil rights case like this. The decision has Jr., San Antonio; Willie Morris, Oxford, Miss.; devastating consequences for workers and has also, however, taken active and visible Kaye Northcott, Austin; James Presley, the civil rights community. roles in supporting labor, women, gays and Texarkana; Susan Reid, Austin; Geoffrey Rips, This is not to say that Gammage's record lesbians, and others. His work with Rev. Austin; A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, Galveston; Fred Jesse Jackson since 1984 as an advisor and Schmidt, Fredericksburg; Robert Sherrill, is all bad — as I pointed out the first time Tallahassee, Fla. around — just that he's no saint. campaign manager in 1988 has earned him Layout and Design: Lana Kaupp One should be able to criticize and • the respect and support of the African Contributing Photographers: Bill Albrecht, Vic debate a judge's electoral merits without American community. In short, no one is Hinterlang, Alan Pogue. being branded an "assassin" by the judge. in a better position to pull together all the Contributing Artists: Eric Avery, Tom Ballenger, James C. Harrington right elements to construct the progressive Richard Bartholomew, Jeff Danziger, Beth Epstein, Dan Hubig, Pat Johnson, Kevin Kreneck, Austin coalition and to win. Michael Krone, Carlos Lowry, Ben Sargent, The point, of course, is that progressives Dan Thibodeau, Gail Woods. Hispanic do not have hold their noses this election to Managing Publisher: Cliff Olofson Choices vote for a Hispanic candidate. They can do Subscription Manager: Stefan Wanstrom I was heartened by your recent article as Cisneros says — vote for a Hispanic — Special Projects Director: Bill Simmons dealing with what you call "Cisnerismo." It but one who deserves the support, whose Development Consultant: Frances Barton is particularly important that Hispanics program is as liberal as any other candidate SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year $27, two years $48, three years $69. Full- time students $15 per year. Back issues S3 prepaid. Airmail, foreign, group, lend their voice to yours in taking to task on the ballot an who can play a leading and bulk rates on request. Microfilm editions available from University our arrogance that turns logic and good role in the building of the progressive Microfilms Intl., 300 N. Zed, Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Any current subscriber who finds the price a burden should say so at renewal time; no sense on its head. movement in Texas. one need forgo reading the Observer simply because of the cost. I too have seen Mr. Cisneros travel the Let no one confuse the issue — the THE TEXAS OBSERVER (ISSN 0040-4519/UPS 541300), state for the last six months or so calling on future of progressive politics in Texas and ©1990, is published biweekly except for a three-week interval between issues in January and July (25 issues per year) by the white liberals to support Hispanics who run even the Democratic Party as a true Texas Observer Publishing Co., 307 West 7th Street, Austin, for state-wide office regardless of their alternative to Republicanism may well ride Texas 78701. Telephone: (512) 477-074.6. Second class postage ideology, history, or program. And when on the outcome. paid at Austin, Texas. Rick Luna POSTMASTER: Send address changes to .THE TEXAS any liberal arises to possibly challenge such OBSERVER, P.O. Box 49019. Austin, Texas 78765 a candidate or such an argument, Cisneros Austin is quick to label them racists. My community has a long history of Continued on page 23

2 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 EDITORIAL E TTEXAS E . S . er Towards an Endorsement FEBRUARY 23, 1990 here is no Jess Unruh of Texas Demo- Jimmy Vouhouris and won a seat on the VOLUME 82, No. 4 T cratic politics. No political Caesar so Travis County Commission, a position she powerful that he can divide Gaul into three held until 1982 when she learned that State parts, as some thought might happen three Treasurer Warren G. Harding was about to FEATURES years ago when Bill Hobby, Ann Richards, be indicted for official misconduct. In an Endorsements 3 and Henry Cisneros stood contemplating the astute political move, Richards resigned her state's political landscape. So it is inevitable county commissioners position to run against The Competent Candidate that it comes to this. A choice between two 10 Harding. She won 47 percent of the vote in a Interview with Nikki Van Hightower candidates, either of whom Ag Commis- three-candidate primary, prevailed in the sioner Jim Hightower predicted would pro- runoff, then easily defeated a Republican vide voters the opportunity to vote for "the opponent in November. Campaign Money 14 most progressive governor since Jimmy What kind of record can one compile as a A list of contributors Allred." (This preceded Mark White's enter- county commissioner and a state treasurer? ing the race, altering the electoral equation, Richard Moya, who served with Richards on DEPARTMENTS and offering the voters a third way: an oppor- the Commissioners Court, credits her with tunity to vote for the most progressive gover- introducing to the Travis County commis- Dialogue 2 nor since Mark White.) sioners the idea of a social-services agenda. Political Intelligence 19 Of these two heirs to the tradition of Allred "She was extremely sensitive to trying to we expected a bitter but at least an enlight- . help those folks who hadn't been able to get Social Cause Calendar 21 ened campaign. We were only half right. help in the past," Moya told Dallas Morning What we have, it seems, is one campaign that News reporter Sheila Taylor in 1982, after Books and the Culture 20 says all the wrong things and another that Richards was elected treasurer. An Excess of Love says nothing. "She bought sensitivity to the court that By Steven Kellman Jim Mattox is the candidate with the long- was missing and a dimension we hadn't had. est and most progressive record. A former . . . She knew what county government was Afterword 22 member of the Dirty Thirty in the Texas all about and she put in the time. Before she 011ie's Latest Folly House and founder of the now-defunct House came we couldn't be called sensitive to the By Allan Freedman Study Group, an organization of liberal and problems of the people. We were all busy moderate legislators who analyzed harmful with roads and bridges. She helped start an bills and mapped out strategies to defeat innovative program of providing human them, Mattox has always been one of us. He services and now we fund 39 agencies that where two innocent men on death row came worked to create the Public Utilities Com- provide human services." dangerously close to execution during the mission and remains one of a few elected Richards is also credited with introducing past two years, to run statewide television officials who will, when pressed, advocate computers and electronic deposits to the spots that whip up public support for capital electing rather than appointing commission- creaky department of the treasury, and with punishment is immoral. And, if we were to ers — a concept that is anathema to the putting in place programs that made possible enter the execution debate, we would note utilities. In Congress, Mattox voted in oppo- the advancement of women and minorities that those executions were something of a sition to the Ronald Reagan legislative beyond the clerical positions traditionally windfall for Mattox. He was attorney gen- agenda. Ratings from COPE and ADA — reserved for them. eral in those years after the Legislature fine- the latter rated him at the top of the Texas There is no question that in a side-by-side tuned the statutes in response to the Jurek delegation — corroborate his progressive of the Mattox and Richards histories, Ann decision and the doors to the death chamber voting record. As attorney general, Jim Richards doesn't measure up to Jim Mattox. at Huntsville were re-opened. Had Mattox Mattox took on the bullies and the bastards, Yet candidates for public office must be served one term earlier, he would have been earning a national reputation for anti-trust judged by what they offer as well as what denied those 32 opportunities by the U.S. and environmental litigation and paying the they have achieved. What is it, then, that Jim Supreme Court. price when Mobil and Fuibright & Jaworksi Mattox and Ann Richards offer? That the death penalty is racist in its appli- came after him. The Mattox media campaign, the only cation is not conjecture. The Supreme Court Yet the Mattox campaign tells us nothing component of the campaign that the average admitted as much in the McClesky decision about this record. It offers, rather, the prom- voter sees, has embraced two themes: state handed down in 1987. Since executions re- ise of more state executions, increased prison executions and a lottery. Executions and sumed in 1977, of 118 persons executed construction, and continued regressive taxa- longer jail sentences, the attorney general nationwide, 48 (41 percent) were black and tion. It is, essentially, a Kent Hance cam- suggests, will deter crime. The lottery will 100 (84 percent) were executed for the murder paign with a body count. raise money for public education, eliminat- of white victims. The Texas Court of Crimi- ing the need for a state income tax. nal Appeals operates independently of the nn Richards's resume, as Jim Mattox It is hard to conceive two issues more Governor's office, but it does not operate in A argues, seems a bit short. Richards repugnant to progressive Democrats. In the a vacuum. To create a climate favorable to managed the state house campaigns of for- state that leads the nation in executions, where state-sanctioned execution applies a subtle mer State Rep. Sarah Weddington and Rep. 32 men have been executed since the Fru- pressure the court cannot ignore. Wilhelmina Delco, both of Travis County. man and Jurek decisions were handed down To offer a lottery as a solution to the crisis Then, in 1976, she challenged incumbent by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976, and in funding of public education — and as a

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 3 source to fund prison construction — is at sense the campaign has not been reckless. It After months of grappling with the issue best disingenuous. Not only is a lottery a has not worked to create a climate in which we endorse Ann Richards. Through a long, form of regressive taxation, albeit voluntary the changes required to make this state a difficult campaign she has exemplified grace taxation, it creates the impression that the minimally decent place for all of its residents under pressure. She has avoided all the right state's dependence on the ad valorem and will be impossible to achieve. temptations. And she is probably the most sales taxes to finance education does not Ann Richards has proven herself a capable electable candidate in the Democratic field. need to be changed. Progressive candidates adminigtrator at the State Treasury. She has L.D. communicate about the income tax with nods advanced the interests of women and minori- and winks. The "Yes to a Lottery and No to ties, provided small, minority-owned con- Income Tax" component of the Mattox tractors with the opportunity to bid on gov- Unanswered Questions campaign will only serve to hold the future at ernment work and purchases, and improved bay. This is too much nodding and winking. the operation of the agency she directs. Serious unanswered questions remain So there you have it. The man with one of Richards is something considerably less than concerning a $200,000 gift that was ad- the most progressive records in Texas gov- an exemplary candidate for progressive mittedly conveyed to Jim Mattox or his ernment, certainly the best and most aggres- Democrats. Her close ties with Lloyd Bentsen brother and/or sister by Danny Faulkner, sive attorney general since (yes) Jimmy Allred and her cautious, white-bread, centrist cam- of now- collapsed Mesquite Savings Loan, dedicated his tenure in that office to busting paign seem to suggest that she has bought the and about $125,000 allegedly set aside by trusts, campaigning on behalf of a regressive Democratic Leadership Council's argument a litigant to be conveyed to the Attorney system of taxation, more prison construc- that the only path to electoral victory is the General to influence the outcome of litiga- tion, and state executions. one in the middle of the road. tion. The latter claim was made in a The Richards campaign is most notable for Yet in what has become an executioner's- courtroom, yet Mattox has repeatedly re- what it hasn't said. It has not promoted prison- song campaign, with Jim Mattox and Mark fused to respond to interview requests building, slammed jail-cell doors, taken the White engaged in a ghoulish fight over brag- from Observer Publisher Ronnie Dugger pledge on income taxes, nor offered up a ging rights to 32 corpses, Richards's silence and from a reporter from the Dallas Morn- revenue panacea. It has, in fact, said very on some issues sounds like eloquence. Bet- ing News who also followed the story. little of substance, offering up instead an ter, we argue, to recognize that political dis- The Observer welcomes General Mattox's almost subliminal appeal on behalf of the course is dead than to accept what Mark comments. L.D. candidate to "trust me." And at least in that White and Jim Mattox offer up in its stead.

Statewide Races Hightower, et al.

is our choice for the by the Farm Bureau, a tire and insurance sentative from Houston, ran against Hance Armando Gutierrez last time around. Hackney is anything but office of state treasurer. Gutierrez's politics company that claims to represent the interest telegenic, but has a progressive record as a were cooked in the crucible of the Raza of farmers. We endorse Hightower, who legislator. His opponent, former Congress- Unida Party, which 20 years ago altered the remains the most enlightened and progres- man Bob Krueger, didn't enter the race until rightward course of the Texas Democratic sive leader in the state. His office has sur- December and has been something of a Party. He has taught at the University of vived one investigation, which after an audit compromised candidate in the past. We'll Texas and the University of Houston, di- appears to have been politically motivated. rected the Jesse Jackson campaign in Texas, Even the Governor had to tone his rhetoric back the Hack. For the Supreme Court Place 1 position, and served as an advisor to two Mexican down after.it was discovered that he had eaten vacated by Franklin Spears, we support San Presidents. But what is most important about one of the meals he was complaining about. Fred Biery who now sits on Gutierrez is that he would use the office as a Hightower's office is again the subject of Antonio Judge the Fourth Court of Appeals. Progressive and bully pulpit for consumers and borrowers. investigation. It will likely continue to be moderate lawyers that we talk to contend that The Texas Department of Agriculture, we investigated as its progressive populist agenda Biery is the only legitimate candidate in the should remember, once devoted all of its makes it a lightning rod for a new national race. His opponent, Gene Kelly, is described bureaucratic energy to inspecting eggs and Republican Administration much more in- as a lightweight. An attorney from Universal certifying scales. We believe that Gutierrez clined than its predecessor to turn the ma- City, near San Antonio, Kelly is attempting would redefine the office of Treasurer in the chinery of government against its enemies. to use a time-honored mechanism in Texas way Jim Hightower redefined the office of The recent investigation of a Hightower electoral politics. That is, to use a familiar Ag Commissioner. While out-of-state mega consultant — which looks bad — will per- name to dance into office. Fred Biery is the banks look to Texas as a large deposit fran- haps return the Ag Commissioner to a more hands-on management system. Yet it seems only qualified candidate in the race. chise and coordinate the sort of expatriation Clifton "Scrappy" of capital common to the Third World, an more than coincidence that all of this occurs In Place 2, we support an East Texas populist in the tradi- aggressive, pro-consumer Treasurer could in.February, just a month before the primary. Holmes, tion of Franklin Jones, whom Holmes counts make a difference. Gutierrez would only be Hightower's reelection cannot be taken for among his supporters. Holmes is running one of three votes on the bank board, but we granted. Republicans are spending big money against Houston Judge Ross Sears and Austin suspect that he would use that vote, and his in the Democratic primary and are prepared Judge (and one-term Houston Congressman) position on the board, to advance the interest do it all again with Rick Perry in November. Clint Hackney gets our support in the race Bob Gammage. Sears is the most conserva- of the people. tive of the three candidates. Incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Jim for the Railroad Commission seat vacated by Perhaps the most difficult decision facing Hightower faces six candidates sponsored Kent Hance. Hackney, a former state repre- 4 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 progressive voters is the choice between Frank by a 33-24 vote, Karl Bayer. Bayer went on Morris Overstreet is at least as qualified as Maloney and Moms Overstreet for Place 1 to replace resigned Justice James Wallace several current members of the Texas Su- on the Court of Criminal Appeals. A 'third and was defeated by Republican Eugene preme Court. Yet the opportunity to elect a candidate, Jeff Van Horn, a Caldwell County Cook. Overstreet goes up against Frank jurist like Maloney to the body that is the District Attorney, has positioned himself to Maloney, who one Austin civil rights attor- court of last resort for all criminal cases the right of most Republican candidates for ney describes as "one of the best authorities outweighs the very important issue of minor- public office, and seems to ignore the accu- on legal procedure in the state." And the ity representation. satory nature of the American judicial sys- Court of Criminal Appeals deals with proce- For Place 3, we recommend Pat Barber, tem. Morris Overstreet is a black Potter dure. We endorse Maloney, 67, who has a who is running against incumbent Justice County District Judge who narrowly missed longer and more notable criminal-defense Bill White. White has never denied his pre- a chance to be the Democratic Party candi- resume than anyone currently on the court. disposition toward prosecutors. Barber is date for the Supreme Court when the State An African-American candidate on a state- backed by criminal-defense attorneys. Democratic Executive Committee supported, wide ticket is obviously long overdue. And L.D., A.F.

Attorney General The People's Candidate

The Observer endorses John Odam for attorney general. Odam served as an execu- tive assistant attorney general for John Hill before Hill abandoned — in principle — his party . . . and in practice his principle. Odam, a Houston trial lawyer, has conducted the most peculiar sort of campaign for public office — at least when measured by the standard against which we measure most po- litical campaigns today. John Odam has been talking to the people. He has visited every county courthouse in the state, talked with county commissioners, local officials, and voters in places where most candidates for statewide public office won't even buy airtime. Odam has also served as Harris County Democratic Party Chair and as a legislative liaison to the Mark White administration. He is endorsed by the progressive Harris County Democrats and backed by the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. While trial-lawyer bashing has become fashionable, particu- larly among some of the more shrill newspa- per columnists in the state's major dailies, it might be wise to pause and recall the Texas Supreme Court when it was a subsidiary of oil and insurance companies. Only after plaintiffs' attorneys organized and began backing candidates did progressive justices such as Bill Kilgarlin and Ted Z. Robertson begin to win elections. While we don't confuse the profession with the Sisters of Charity, we do recognize that trial lawyers' self-interest more often than not coincides with the interest of most working people in the state. ALAN POGUE Odam would have won the support of the John Odam Texas AFL-CIO, if their convention had endorsed candidates rather than adjourning So we will go with Odam, the more expe- the backlogged child support division. While when they were unable to resolve a bitter rienced and more progressive of the two John Bryant and Lloyd Doggett would have fight between Jim Mattox and Ann Richards. candidates. He is backed by the right people, been our first and second choices, Odam is He had both of the convention committees' seems inclined to pursue the same aggressive the better candidate in March and will run a endorsements which are a prerequisite to environmental and anti-trust .course charted strong race against Pat Hill or Buster Brown endorsement on the floor. by Jim Mattox, and will probably improve in November. L.D. THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 5

• Attorney General I'll Take Morales

Dan Morales deserves his due. This three- cant role in the campaign; the people seem to consideration of non-criminal justice issues I term legislator from San Antonio and candi- demand tough-on-crime prosecutor types to think the only fair and objective way to char- date for attorney general is no liberal para- fill the role of the state's top lawyer. But acterize my record is of a progressive record." gon. He is not a populist hero or a tireless cru- governance and reality are another matter. In his tenure in the House, Morales's high- sader. He is an ambitious career politician In areas of substantive concern, in areas profile criminal justice record has fueled who has demonstrated some political guts on where an attorney general actually has some intense criticism of the candidate. Morales is behalf of the working people of Texas. clout, Morales's record is more agreeable. aware that he is not well-liked in some pro- It is true that Morales is a conservative on Morales has pledged to represent the con- gressive circles. In the Observer interview, criminal justice matters. To further his crimi- sumer and the public interest on such impor- he attempted to dispel this image and in- nal justice agenda, he has formed alliances tant issues as insurance reform, utility regu- sisted that liberal-minded Democrats exam- with the likes of Republican Buster Brown, lation, and education reform. As a represen- ine his record more closely. Perhaps Mo- the state senator and candidate for attorney tative, he has supported indigent-health care rales, a charming, Harvard-educated lawyer, general. He recently backed Proposition 10, measures, the enforcement of groundwater wanted to use the Observer interview to an odious measure approved by voters in No- standards, the rights of gays, insurance re- appear more liberal than he is. Maybe Mo- vember that allows the Legislature, in effect, form, and workers' rights. He is on the rales needs the support of a liberal constitu- to curtail the rights of defendants. The record in support of continuing the good ency to secure the nomination. But the Morales criminal justice agenda often re- work current Attorney General Jim Mattox Morales record does reflect a man commit- flects a disregard for individual rights. has accomplished in such areas as anti-trust ted to many of the principles the Observer If the attorney general had broad prosecu- litigation and reform of the utilities. While has over the years steadfastly supported. torial powers, the conservative side of Dan other statewide candidates skirt the income He is pro-choice despite his roots in a Morales would be of concern. But the attor- tax issue, Morales remains open to it. Catholic culture. In a conservative state, this ney general's role in criminal prosecutions is "With regard to criminal justice issues, I is a candidate who went on the record as left- so limited that Morales will rarely — if ever would say it probably is a fair characteriza- leaning and progressive. He is eager to talk — have the opportunity to flex his prosecu- tion of my voting record and my positions to about taxation in responsible terms. And he torial muscle on criminal justice matters. His say I am a conservative," Morales said in an appears sincere in representing the interests criminal justice record might play a signifi- Observer interview. "But in terms of broad of the working class. A.F.

Senate Endorsements Six Critical Choices Should a conservative Republican such as lost. And a look at electric bills in many Senate will be measured exponentially. Smith Clayton Williams or — and here I place a regions of the state will confirm that the carried the water for big business on work- black rag on my head as I write — Kent public lost a great deal when the Senate ers' . comp, steadfastly refused any attempts Hance be elected governor, the Senate will approved the appointments of Public Utility at compromise, and generally voted against continue to serve as the firewall between the Commissioners Marta Greytok and Bill progressive, consumer, and labor issues when people of Texas and legislation and appoint- Cassin. they made it to the House floor. Beside all of ments that are often nothing less than perni- Fifteen Senate seats are up for election this that he is an odious and unpleasant fellow. cious. year. Of those, six involve contested races in Two Democrats are involved in a close When the Senate fails to protect the public the Democratic primary. Bryan Democrat race to replace Smith. Jim Turner, a former from bad legislation, which often gains Kent Caperton's departure will result in a House Member and now mayor of Crockett, momentum as it moves through the House, or loss of enlightened leadership. Caperton had and Ron DeLord, president of a law enforce- from appointments offered up by the Gover- the respect and trust of Lieutenant Governor ment association. Turner generally voted with nor, the results can be disastrous. And bad Bill Hobby and was known to be a reasonable the rural conservative bloc as a House member public policy is not unlike the woman's love moderate-to-progressive member of the body. and more recently was one of several attor- described by a father to a dejected son in a It was Caperton, along with Port Arthur neys on the losing side of the landmark Larry McMurtry novel: It's like the morning Senator Carl Parker, who led the almost- Edgewood v. Kirby education-finance law- dew, "as likely to settle on a horse's turd as a successful fight against workers'-comp re- suit. Turner represented intervening school rose." Ultimately, it affects all of us. The form in the recent special session. And two districts opposed to equity in funding among recently enacted workers' comp bill is one years ago it was Caperton holding the line the state's 1066 public school districts. Ron such example. Working people in the state against tort reform. If Caperton is replaced DeLord is a former law enforcement officer, will, as the law takes effect during the next by Republican Rep. Richard Smith — again attorney, and president of CLEAT, the state- two years, begin to understand what they the black rag — then Caperton's loss to the wide law-officers' professional association 6 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 and lobby group. He is generally pro-worker, ate to run against Phil Gramm is bad news, ban has so little to run on that he is attempting having lobbied the Legislature on behalf of the good news is that he might be replaced by to paint Rosson as a utilities lackey, citing the state's law-enforcement officers. DeLord Art Brender. Brender, a highly regarded one vote she cast on the Public Utility Com- has twice run the Cops Against Clements civil rights lawyer from Fort Worth, won't mission that he claims cost El Paso ratepay- campaign and Bill Clements has only run for exactly replace Parmer, who has consistently ers some $60 million. Rosson, however, had governor twice. DeLord's public positions been the best of the Senate. But Brender no choice on that particular vote in which the on education are progressive. He is running might come close. The Observer encourages utility complied with a requirement by which a pro-equity campaign, making "quality voters in the state's 12th Senatorial district to rates were automatically raised. education for all of the state's children" his vote for and work for the election of Art El Pasoans would be wise to listen to principal campaign issue. The Observer Brender. He has earned the endorsement of Austin-based attorney Don Butler, who has endorses Ron DeLord, anticipating that he every progressive group in the region and is made a career of representing cities and will be the better candidate to run against easily the best of a four-candidate field, where consumers before the Public Utility Com- Smith in November and a good member of his strongest opposition comes from former mission: the Senate in January. County Judge Mike Moncrief. Writing in the "No one on the commission ever demon- Chet Brooks was one of three Democratic Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Kaye Northcott strated more concern for the public and more Senators on whom all eyes were trained speculates that Moncrief might lose some of knowledge of the regulation process than during the final days of the 1989 special his voters who, because of their conservative Peggy Rosson. She was not only the fairest session on workers' comp. With the body nature, will be drawn into the Republican but the most knowledgeable of the regulation closely divided on the issue, it was up to primary. process." Butler said that Mark White, who Brooks, fellow Chet, Chet Edwards, and Frank Tejeda is one of several senators appointed Rosson, "was never properly Laredo Senator Judith Zaffirini to hold the who too often vote against the interests of appreciative of her ability and that was a line. None was a true believer in the pro- their constituency. The recent workers '- reflection on his intelligence." worker comp bill sponsored by Carl Parker comp fight provides an example. There was El Pasoans might also ask why their Sena- and Kent Caperton. Therefore the three con- never a question about whether Tejeda would tor is running an electric-rate-protest cam- verts were under the most intense sort of support the Bill Hobby pro-business bill or paign after his law firm had been retained and pressure from the insurance and big-business the pro-worker bill advanced by Parker and paid by El Paso Electric for years. And why lobby. Five days before the final vote, Dallas Caperton. Tejeda, who represents one of the Santiesteban voted for Bill Clements's ap- Times-Herald columnist Molly Ivins wrote largest working-class constituencies in the pointees to the Public Utility Commission, that ,though the pro-business package had state, in San Antonio, signed on with the Bill Cassin and Marta Greytok (both had been voted down twice, working people in Hobby plan. (The Parker-Caperton bills were established records clearly hostile to con- the state shouldn't rest too easy with three the only ones that promised to reduce em- sumers during the interim between appoint- days remaining in the session and their fate in ployers' comp rates while protecting most ment and Senate approval) when there was a the hands of "the Chets." In the end, Ivins benefits.) Trial lawyers and labor are backing credible attempt to defeat them on the Senate wrote, the Chets would bolt because "charac- Steve Price, in a primary race that includes floor. As to why El Paso County Judge Lu- ter is destiny." Ivins couldn't have been more four candidates. The Observer endorses Price ther Jones didn't retain Santiesteban's law prophetic. Brooks has been doing this for in District 19. firm to fight the low-level waste dump in years but the fact that this time it occurred in The toughest choice for progressives is in nearby Hudspeth County, it was probably a one-topic session, where the pressure and the Lower Rio Grande Valley District 27 because Jones recognized that Santiesteban the house lights were on, let everybody in on where Brownsville Rep. Eddie Lucio and had already allowed then-freshman Senator it. Edinburg Rep. Alex Moreno are trying to Judith Zaffirini to run over him with a bill For years Brooks has also been making a unseat incumbent Senator Hector Uribe. For locating the dump near El Paso, rather than in healthy living off the Senate, were members progressives, Lucio doesn't enter the picture. South Texas. Rosson would be a big im- earn $7,200 a year. Recently the Austin But the fight between Moreno and Uribe is a provement in the Senate, providing El Paso American-Statesman did a story on Brooks's tough call. Uribe is a working-class diputado with the sort of knowledgeable and commit- use of his officeholder account to funnel de la raza in every sense. He has always been ted representation it now has in the House money to his one-man public relations firm. close to Valley Interfaith, has been a leader in with Republican Rep. Jack Vowell. The Ob- Brooks is challenged by Galveston Rep. the House Mexican-American Caucus, and server endorses Peggy Rosson without reser- Lloyd Criss, whom the Observer endorses almost always votes right. Uribe is urbane vation. If endorsements were rated, this without reservation. In the House Criss has and a little more distant from his constitu- paragraph would be followed by five stars. been excellent on labor issues and generally ency. But he always votes right, has an inter- L.D. good on consumer issues. (There was one est in education finance, and is the Senate drug-testing bill, however.) Criss has passed sponsor of the Edgewood plaintiffs' plan for worker-safety legislation and bills requiring equity in public-school finance. The race the removal of asbestos from public build- presents a difficult choice and if anything ings. Two sessions ago he faced a hostile makes the difference, it is Moreno's vote on House with a resolution against the English- workers' comp. If it was a calculated attempt East Dallas only movement. He's hitting Brooks where to bring in business contributions to a Senate he is most vulnerable, on the ethics question. campaign, it backfired. The chambers of Printing If that's below the belt then Brooks had a commerce went with their lobbyist, Rep. high waistline. And Criss knows where to Eddie Lucio, who has raised more money Company find the worst of Chet Brooks's old bills and than Moreno. We'll go with Uribe, who dug votes. He's digging them out and offering in and fought for worker's rights in the Sen- Full Service them up for the public to examine. Demo- ate. We wish that Moreno had attempted the Union Printing graphics could also be on Criss's side; the same in the house. strong labor vote from the south side of the Senate District 29 in El Paso presents a district is bound to benefit Criss, who repre- rare opportunity to replace a compromised (214) 826-2800 sents Galveston and counts on the support of and not terribly effective incumbent with a labor. Vote early and often for Lloyd Criss in smart, principled pro-consumer challenger. 211 S. Peak • Dallas, Tx 75226 the 1 1 th District. Peggy Rosson is running against veteran El If Hugh Parmer's departure from the Sen- Paso Senator Tati Santiesteban. Santieste-

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 7 House Elections A Long Way to Go NE PROGRESSIVE campaign challengers. One, Hector Garcia — no rela- Two challengers are attempting to replace consultant in Austin contends that tion, we hope, to the good and venerable Galveston Rep. Lloyd Criss, whom we hope 0 the House is just two or three elec- doctor of the same name from Corpus Christi to see oust Chet Brooks from the Senate seat tions away from becoming something like a — quickly convinced us that he has the that Brooks has held since sometime before decent deliberative body. The guy who makes potential to be worse than Clemons. He's a the Woodstock Nation sought recognition at the claim has to be considered among the best Farm Bureau man and is touting their agenda. the U.N. Both Gilbert Tones and Mike Martin and the brightest in his field and seemed Dan Jones, who seems the most reasonable are said to be qualified and progressive can- sober and clear-eyed when he said it. It's hard candidate, gets the Observer endorsement. didates. The Observer endorses Mike Mar- to see how a body this bad can be healed that It's not only that Ron Lewis looks like a tin, a lawyer who has organized labor's fast. But in the interest of hastening that day Cheeto when, on Orange County day he dons support, and only wishes that one of these Observer Editorial Assistant Brett Campbell his orange blazer, which somehow comple- guys lived in Al Edwards's district. Martin and I got on the phone and talked to political ments his florid skin tone. The guy is a was a Babe Schwartz aide when Schwartz insiders and state representative candidates lightweight who last session injured his leg was doing good things in the Senate. scattered across the state in an attempt to on a lobbyist-funded ski trip, then com- ferret out the best candidates. We did not plained that the junket wasn't free because SOUTH TEXAS make endorsements in all of the 37 contested the lobbyist didn't pick up his medical bill. Phyliss Robinson is hanging it up and return- races in the Democratic primary. Those But he's honest. Lewis admits that if lobby ing to Gonzalez, the town, that is. Former races in which we do endorse, and a few for perks like golf and hunting trips were taken Democratic Rep. Tim Von Dohlen, who which we explain why we did not, are listed away, the job wouldn't be fun anymore. No served in the Legislature in 1980, has the below: kin to Gib Lewis, at least not biological kin, redistricting experience from the past. What In District 6 Gary Morgan, a Tyler attor- Lewis is a creature of the Lobby. In the voters in the 31st District need to know is that ney with labor-council support, is attempting interest of sartorial good taste, good govern- the experience was all bad. Timothy Curtis to defeat David Hudson, who has served five ment, and upgrading legislative eugenics, was an aide to Senator Eddie Bernice Johnson, terms' in the House. Public interest lobbyists we urge a vote for S.W. "Sam" Owens, a knows the Legislature and is expected to be describe Hudson as a reasonable legislator Bell Telephone employee about whom we good on most issues. The Observer supports whom they can usually work with. The Ob- know very little. If nothing else, it is hoped Curtis. server supports Hudson. that Owens will provide the transition in a The Observer urges District 37 voters to district where the Oil Chemical and Atomic vote early and often for Irma Rangel, the EAST TEXAS Workers ought to be able to find at least one Dean of the Valley Delegation and the House In the District 11 East Texas seat vacated by qualified candidate. Hispanic Caucus. Rangel has voted right for Dick Swift, Buck Bonner goes up against Attorney Curtis Soileau is a bright, young, so many years that nobody seems to notice Elton Bomer. While we don't know enough pro-labor freshman from Lumberton in Dis- anymore. Like Carlos Truan in the Senate, about Bonner to make an endorsement, we trict 20. His defeat would be a bitter pill for she's not afraid to be identified as ideologi- recognize Bomer, a banker, as a former progressives to swallow. The Observer en- cal. She clearly understands the difference Legislator who spent considerable time and dorses him and urges East Texas voters to between them and us and has the most droll energy representing the interests of utility turn out on his behalf. We were sufficiently sense of humor in the House. A challenger companies when the Public Utility Commis- enthusiastic about Soileau in 1988 that we came close in the last Democratic primary, so sion was being reviewed by the Sunset endorsed him in races in two House districts. this year she's out campaigning, for herself Commission. When he was finished as a It is with no less enthusiasm that we endorse and Jim Mattox. With redistricting coming legislator Bomer signed on as a utility lobby- him — for only one seat this time around. up, the forces of light can't afford too many ist, not unlike the work he was doing when he Cindy Jenkins is challenging Mark Stiles losses. represented the 1 1 th district in the House. from Beaumont, another faithful servant of Larry Warner, one of the most thoughtful Voters might want to have a careful look at the corporate lobby. Stiles's work against voters in the House, is giving up his seat to Bonner, a ranch hand and former Justice of safety standards for tractor-trailers was docu- run for the 13th State Court of Appeals in the Peace. There are already enough electric mented by the Austin American-Statesman. Corpus Christi. Warner's election would chairs in the House. The Statesman looked at one accident in improve the quality of justice in South Texas. If Brad Wright was the quixotic and sinis- which an Austin doctor was killed and con- Four candidates are after the District 38 seat ter Knight Errant of the Homophobic Order sidered how such accidents might be avoided and two of them are worth supporting. Sam during the last session, Billy Clemons of if the trucking-safety provisions that Stiles Lozano is the former mayor of Harlingen and District 17 was his Sancho Panza. A bit more was opposing had been enacted. Stiles cited a reasonable politician. Ken Medders, ac- practical and corpulent — and quite honestly increased paperwork for truckers as a reason cording to several sources in the Valley, is the not as mean — than his master, Clemons to oppose truck safety. Cindy Jenkins gets most enlightened of the four. Medders has carried the shield for the man who exempli- the Observer endorsement, not just because served as a city commissioner in San Benito. fied the sort of hatred and fear of one's Stiles is so bad, but because she is so good. A The Observer endorses Medders. brother that is peculiar to certain strains of Mark White appointee to the Board of Medi- Blind ambition might have led Eddie Lucio Christianity. Together, they held AIDS fund- cal Examiners, Jenkins served with distinc- to a futile challenge of Brownsville Senator ing hostage for as long as they could, hell- tion there. She also ran the Doggett-for-Sen- Hector Uribe. If so, then ambition here is bent it seemed, on forcing gays to recant, ate campaign in Southeast Texas. She is a something less than a grievous fault; it could repent, or declare themselves criminals be- long shot against Stiles but her election would mean deliverance for District 39 voters, for fore any bill would pass. Clemons has two be good news. two sessions too long represented by Lucio.

8 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 If he were as smart as he was compromised residents are attorneys or closet attorneys) roots electoral politics and public interest he could have been dangerous. But his depar- who has worked as an aide to Rep. Irma lobbying at city hall. We like both candidates ture heralds the return, we hope, of Rene Rangel. Hard to go wrong here, but of the here. Oliveira, the Brownsville attorney who held two most experienced candidates, Naishtat the seat before Lucio won the Democratic has shaken off advice to demagogue the tax SAN ANTONIO Primary in '86. Rene 0. Oliveira gets the question and McGee hasn't. To continue to In the 119th District, San Antonio incumbent Observer endorsement. He faces one oppo- ride a paragraph full of belabored baseball Jerry Beauchamp is challenged by attorney nent. metaphors toward an Observer endorsement Robert Puente. Beauchamp's voting record Alex Moreno's leadership will be missed of Naishtat, let us note that the count here is is hardly one befitting an urban representa- in the House. Moreno is also running for the three and two, three Democrats against two tive. Labor is supporting Puente, who also Senate seat held by Hector Uribe. We only Republicans, the worst of whom is Bob gets the Observer endorsement. wish that Alex had waited a session or two Richardson, once a minor-league Democrat Residents of District 124 will have more because it seems that Uribe is headed for a and now something of an embarrassment to progressive representation than they had when Supreme Court seat sooner or later. Sources Republicans. Here's hoping that Naishtat represented by Dan Morales, who is running in the Valley suggest that we sit this one out. sends him to the showers in November. for attorney general. St. Mary's University There are races where the voter can't go In Belton (District 53) two Democrats are political professor Nef Garcia, who in 1988 wrong. This, we are told, is not such a race; out to replace T. Boone Pickens look-alike ran against Republican Senator Cyndi Krier, two regulars Eddies, Eddy Gonzalez and Hugh Shine, who joins three Republicans in and Christine Hernandez, of the American Eddie de la Garza (yes, of the Kika family) pursuit of the seat vacated by U.S. Congress- Federation of Teachers, are both good candi- here seek the nomination. The kicker here man Marvin Leath. Temple attorney Jack dates. The Observer here gives the edge to for some voters might be the latter's biologi- Jones is running against Aliceanne Wallace, Nef Garcia. cal bond to the agricongressman. a member of the Silver-Haired Legislature, Juan Hinojosa, who has to be counted by all accounts a progressive group which HOUSTON among the best of the House, is leaving after meets in Austin to debate public-policy In District 128, former state Rep. Henry nine productive years. Rosalie Weisfeld questions. The Observer endorses Wallace, Allee is attempting a comeback. Allee's seems to have Hinojosa's support in a crowded an issue-oriented woman who is frequently district was merged with Tony Polumbo's field of five. Weisfeld probably won't be the in touch with legislators. during redistricting. Polumbo is now leaving leader that Hinojosa was. But she is a bright, Mike Smiddy of Mineral Wells in District the House and Allee, who has labor backing, articulate Valley native running a smart 54, an attorney and former county judge from seems the best choice in a three-candidate campaign. She knows the Legislature, hav- Palo Pinto County, seems the best of three contest. ing served as an aide to Senator Hector Uribe. candidates running to replace Rick Perry, Ron Wilson has drawn two opponents. The Observer endorses Weisfeld, who seems who bolted the Democratic Party for the Though Wilson sometimes files the strangest headed for a runoff. opportunity to run against Jim Hightower. bills (remember handguns for all?) he is right Eldon Edge, the Democrat from Poth, voted Smiddy supports the Bullock Plan for school- on most issues. And, perhaps the best proce- against most consumer issues, voted against funding equity, says that the need for more dural parliamentarian in the House — an the TDA sunset bill, and against worker funding for education is evident, andithat the important skill for minority faction reps. safety. He is being challenged by Tom Cate, sin tax (tax on liquor and cigarettes) might be Never mind the sartorial excess, it's tough an attorney. The one thing that distinguishes an option. He describes the personal income down on that floor and leather pants are a Edge from most rural-bloc conservatives is tax as being the least palatable source of more manly means of covering one's ass his hairstyle, which according to several revenue. than the paper and excuses that most of these informed sources resulted in at least three guys use. We'll stay with Ron Wilson. phone calls to the Mojo Nixon's "Elvis WEST TEXAS In District 138, Pipefitter's Union busi- Sighted Hotline (dial 619 239-KING)." The Pete Gallego, an Alpine attorney and former ness agent Ken Yarborough is going up in a Observer is inclined to give the edge to Tom assistant attorney general under Jim Mattox, four-candidate race for the privilege to run Cate in this one. goes up against incumbent Dudley Harrison against Ken VanderVoort. We will go with in District 68. Dudley worked hard to protect Yarborough, whose background seems simi- CENTRAL TEXAS the department of agriculture from the chemi- lar to that of Lloyd Criss. Yarborough has the Austin businesswoman Sherri Greenberg, cal lobby during the past session, sticking his support of Harris County Democrats and a bright entrepreneurial type, offers Demo- neck out and working as a floor leader in an organized labor. crats the best hope of recapturing the West- effort to keep pesticide regulation where it Incumbent Senfronia Thompson seems Austin seat vacated by Republican Terral belonged. But Gallego is the more progres- the best of a field of three running in the 141st Smith. Greenberg has the backing of some of sive of the two candidates. And the district, District in Houston. the best political insiders in Austin and is by demographics, is Hispanic. Harrison In District 146, word that neither of the two running in a field of four. The winner will usually votes with the rural conservative challengers is better than incumbent Al face a Republican in what is sure to be a bloc. Gallego should be an improvement. Edwards, has left most observers bewildered challenging race in November. The Observer — sort of like Al. But we have it from good endorses Greenberg. NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS sources that Edwards, who sponsored a bill Elliott Naishtat is more than a veteran of In Fort Worth's 90th, perennial Legislator that would have established severing a finger the Observer softball team. This disclaimer Doyle Willis, who served in the state House as a punishment for drug dealers, and another out of the way, we will give him the nod for when Ralph Yarborough was breaking onto requiring official English on all job sites, is the leadoff position in a three-man Demo- the statewide scene, remains our sentimental the best candidate. What can we say? Give 'em cratic primary race that includes as good a favorite. the finger, Al. field of candidates as can be found anywhere Dallas voters in the 103rd District face a In 147, we will stay with incumbent Larry in the state. Naishtat is an attorney, who for difficult choice. Steve Wollens is a bright, Evans, one of the sharpest members of the two sessions has worked as legislative coun- articulate, and capable legislator. Public-inter- Houston House delegation, though we were sel for Austin Senator Gonzalo Barrientos. est lobbyists describe him as a representative disappointed to learn that Evans's bandaged He faces Erwin McGee, an Austin attorney who can take the floor on a difficult issue and finger last session was not a silent and elo- who worked for Lloyd Doggett in the Senate actually make a difference. He is challenged quent protest against Al Edwards's finger and John White in Washington; and Fer- by Dallas inner-city lawyer Domingo Gar- bill, but rather the result of a mugging. nando Dubove, another attorney (most Austin cia, who for years has been involved in grass- L.D.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 9 Nikki Van Hightower The Competent Candidate

Nikki Van Hightower was born in Billings, Montana, on August 14, 1939. She received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Houston and her Ph.D. from New York Uni- versity.in 1974. A former assistant professor of political science at the University of Houston, she served as Houston's women's advocate from 1976 until 1978. She was appointed to the post by then-Mayor Fred Hofheinz, and went on to serve as the execu- tive director of the Houston Area Women's Center from 1979 to 1987. She was elected Harris County treasurer in 1986. Hightower was interviewed by Observer Editor Louis Dubose and Associate Editor Allan Freed- man in Austin on January 24. The editors were accompanied by Austin photographer Vic Hinterlang. An interview with treasurer candidate Armando Gutierrez will appear in the next issue.

This is a very low profile race.

Oh yes.

What are the issues here?

This is a nuts-and-bolts office. It's ex- ,,,‘11:M. tremely important. The revenues in the next Wt2-1 fiscal year are going to be about $28 billion. That money flows through the treasurer's office. The treasurer is responsible for taking care of it. There's probably about $180 bil- lion in transactions that take place in the treasurer's office. But in terms of stirring passions it just doesn't.... What I'm promis- ing is a good-government office, one that provides the maximum security for public funds and that generates the maximum non- tax revenues.

Is there a political role for the state treas- urer to play? Do you see a political role for your office?

Very much so. I think the state treasurer is VIC HINTERLAND in a key position to be speaking out on the Nikki Van Hightower funding of issues that are going to be the most vital for the state of Texas in the next decade our political leaders when they get up and Absolutely, I think that the estimates I hear to come. I've always been a very vocal per- start . . . saying "we don't have the funds for on what the cost of fair funding will be, son, have been in Harris County, taking stands this. We can't tax our people anymore." In responsible funding for the schools is any- on the fiscal affairs of Harris County and I terms of the political role, it's a key political where from a billion dollars a year for the would continue to do so at the state office. . role, educating the public, keeping them next five years on up to $20 billion for the .. [A state treasurer] can either be out there on informed. But it's not a policy-making role. next five years. We're going to have to make the forefront trying to generate decent fund- some hard decisions on where that money is ing for our schools, the environment . . . or Are there issues you feel you're going to going to come from, how we're going to they can just pull the rug out from underneath have some influence on? restructure our tax system in this state. And I

10 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 intend to play a real active role in that. other one has a lot more latitude. He talks Yeah. You know, again, that comes more about red-lining banks as if the state treasurer with a long-term investment. Most of the How would the treasurer play a role? has the sole option to go in and determine state's revenues are invested overnight to 60 what banks are going to be chartered in the days. We're in and out real fast. And maybe Certainly treasurers can do active lobby- state and what banks are not, rather than as that's a possibility. I really haven't looked ing. [State Treasurer] Ann Richards has one member of the bank board that gives the into getting involved in the policies of firms always done that. She's always been very charters out. I'm hearing a lot of this stuff and because we have investments through those involved with the Legislature. But I think it's very persuasive stuff, snake oil. firms. I don't know that the state treasurer's public education is one of the key things office has much capability to be doing that. we're going to have to deal with. We're Aren't there some areas where the state I don't mean to understate what the treasurer's going to have to get out there and tell the treasurer's office could make a difference? office can do. It's a statewide elective office, public about these issues and where the reve- And I wonder what you think about those, and it's a powerful office. But in terms of just nue sources are going to be coming from. possibly link deposits, banks that would be taking money and putting it here and putting less inclined to red-line, using the state's it there, we've put real restrictions on our Probably over the next five years, educa- money as a lever? state's money and I think that that's proper. tion will be the primary funding issue in this We don't want anyone in there deciding that state. What sets you apart from your princi- Absolutely, I think some of that can be they're going to put money in this business pal opponent, Armando Gutierrez, on that done. However, we're in a setting right now or that business, and risking public funds. issue? in the state of Texas where the banks aren't very eager to have state monies. ft's expen- Is there a legislative agenda that you would I don't think we're apart on that issue at all. sive. We demand high interest rates. Every have in terms of changes you'd like to see in Our philosophical belief in what services a cent of it has to be collateralized. It ties up the office once you're elected? Other than government is supposed to provide and what's their capital. A lot of the smaller institutions appropriations for the office , are there things important, probably we're very close together. you would most want to benefit by doing this you would go to the Legislature asking for? We're very far apart on who has the experi- ence to do the job. I speak from three years of There may be some changes or modifica- experience coming from the county tions in the investment program, because treasurer's office. You don't just walk in and that's always changing, in terms of what can take over one of these offices. It takes some be comfortable and safe investments for the background and skill. He has never served in "I've got a state . . . So, anytime I think there's an area public office, never handled public monies, of possible investment that generates higher and he's running for the state treasurer's long track interest where the security is there we're office. It's baffling to me. I've been active for going to want to move and change, but that the past, well, real active for the past 15 years record of has to be done through the legislative proc- to generate public confidence in what I'm ess. I think we've got some really major doing, to sell myself to the public. And I'm service." issues coming up at the state level — school running against someone — he has never funding, prison systems, health care—costly, served in public office, and he's now a can- very costly items, things that in the education didate for a statewide office. But as far as I area, I keep using that 'cause that's right in can tell, he has no particular interest in and front of us right now, that I feel very strongly absolutely no political background in. don't want it. The state could back off and about, that every child in the state of Texas say we'll take a lower interest rate, which is should have equal access to education and I'm picking up a little bit offrustration in essentially the linked deposit program. The equal funding. I'm going to be working with you talking about Armando. link deposit program, I will need to study that the legislative body to help come up with a pilot program to see how effective it has plan to help sell the plan to the citizens of Yeah. There has been some frustration. I been. There is no lack of liquidity in the state Texas. see someone who's just jumped up and, re- of Texas. There is money to make loans .. . ally, I don't think has paid his dues. But he's So, I'm thinking, and what I would want to In the same way that ,for instance ,Richards generating support. He gives good presenta- look seriously at, is whether it would not be came up with this $600 to $800 million one- tions. He sways people. He generates a lot of better to make our deposits in banks, making time money proposal for the upcoming legis- emotionalism. And I've got a long track the determination on their deposit-to-loan lative session. Is that the kind of thing you're record of service. . . . I do at a smaller scale ratio. Give the banks the most service that talking about? Identifying resources within exactly what the state treasurer does. .. . And make the most loans and certainly be sure current state revenue? Looking at ways in I think people just don't understand the that those loans are tied into areas like — and which state money could be used more effi- importance of handling money and the key certainly in the alternative agricultural pro- ciently? role it is in the whole governing process. . . . gram, that's one that really needs some pump- He [Gutierrez] talks about things that he ing up. Make sure that it's tied into the areas That certainly is part of the role. I think either knows nothing about, or he 's just trying that it's fair to minority businesses and that that coming up with additional funds and to pull the wool over people's eyes, just a lot sort of thing . .. But we're really talking about letting our legislative body know what could of snake oil on this, and that's very difficult a nominal sum of money here, $5 million, possibly be made available. I just think there's to combat because we don't have the forum and I don't think all of that has been loaned no doubt that there's going to be some re- to really do that .. . He makes ludicrous out at the present time. So it's certainly no structuring in our revenue-generating proc- comparisons between the interest generated great loss to the state. That's a long slow ess. Being out there talking about which plan on the general revenue funds coming into the developmental process to attract industries will be most equitable for citizens, which state and the interests generated on pension into our state .. . plan is most reasonable, most fiscally re- funds, either not knowing or not caring that sponsible, and then participate in the selling one is very long-term investment and the How about, I'm not sure exactly what I'm of that to the community. other is a very short-term investment. One is asking, the use of the state's proxy vote in highly restricted by legislative guidelines in securities to influence public or private sec- You mention the limitations of the office in terms of the investments you can make. The tor policy. Is that a possibility? reference to Armando and his sense of a THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 11 social agenda which you don't think is neces- sary, probably couldn't be brought forth.

There is nothing wrong with his social agenda.

Yet isn't there something to be said for a statewide candidate who is pushing the realm of the debate, who is raising social issues, whether he can actually do something about it or not? There is no single candidate that I know about that's talking about red-lining. Isn't that an important role for a candidate to play in any case?

Well to some extent it is. You're running for a certain office. And you're supposed to be telling the public, or I interpret my job anyway, telling the public what I can do for them in that office. I'll be glad to talk about my philosophical beliefs in other areas. . . . But I'm not going to outright lie to the public about what can be done out of that office. I'm going to tell them what the office does. I've got a proven track record. . . .

How important is the position of the state treasurer on the state banking board? I'm not making the argument for a social agenda—

Sure it can, in cooperation with the other, people who are on the state banking board. Much of that depends on who sits in the governor's office, who those other appoint- ees are. I think the state banking board could be a key agency for —

Considering the number of bank failures, to which there should be given some atten- tion to --

Oh absolutely, absolutely, it's there to monitor them. I think it is a key body to sit on .4n in terms of doing something if you have the support of other people who sit on it. VIC HINTERLAND Any particular interest that you would have there? Or any changes you would make? have imposed upon your office. Would you mated.. We get our checks out of that office in Anything that you would do that's not being pursue the same kind of activist role as treas- a matter of three days where it was like two done? urer, you know seeking AG opinions, as you weeks before, sometimes longer than that. did defining the powers of the office in Harris We have far better cash flow, so we can have I think that part of the role of that body is County? more money invested at any given time. to see that our legislative policies governing That's one thing. The other thing is bringing banks don't allow for what has happened to That's who I am. That's what I am. I'm the duties back into that office so that the savings and loans institutions, and that means running on a platform of doing that. . . office could perform the watchdog duties we've got to have restrictions on the kind of that it was supposed to perform, which it was investments our banks can make, the security Is there a singular achievement in that not doing at all. The auditor was performing they have to have to back them up on these office in Harris County that would suggest the functions of the treasurer. No one was investments so that we don't end up insuring that you're qualified? What two or three auditing the auditor. No one was keeping an institutions that can go under and the govern- things would you point to? eye on what was going on with the fiscal ment foots the bill. Certainly, I think we need affairs of Harris County. Not only have the to do the sort of thing that the federal govern- I would point to-two things. I walked into duties been brought in or being brought in, ment let slip on that, monitoring in that way, an office that was almost useless in terms of but it generated a whole new analysis of our and I'm sorry I kind of lost my train of its role in the fiscal checks and balances of fiscal systems. We are now redesigning our thought in that, I had something else in mind. Harris County. Most of the duties have been financial reporting system. All of our ac- taken out of the office. The systems of the counts payable. Bringing it up to state of the I don't say this critically. But you have not office were done all manually. Very behind art. This was a result of the work I've done in been restrained by the clerical role that your the times. Inefficient. And I have totally the treasurer's office. . . . As a result of what colleagues in Houston, Harris County might modernized the office. It's now fully auto- I've done in Harris County, those roles, and

12 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 the fiscal checks and balances, have changed Harris County is a fairly small office. But no ideological. It's not that I'm not an activist. I in counties all over the state of Texas. Duties minority supervisor. The vast majority, I'd have a long record of that, and will continue have moved back into treasurer's offices. I say two-thirds, were Anglos. We now have to have a long record of that. It's that I'm think that in the three years I've been in that approximately one-third Hispanic, one-third going to talk about what the voters are going office, I have pretty much revolutionized the Anglo and that's at both the management to be voting on. And the person who takes the fiscal systems of Harris County and had an level and the staff level. There will be equal office. I'm not going to flim-flam them about impact on the fiscal affairs of counties opportunity in the positions in my office. it. You operate with kind of a basic faith in throughout the state. doing that, that you're talking to intelligent The same sort of hiring practices that Ann people and that ultimately they're going to In that sense, Ann Richards is running for Richards has — make the decision based on rationality,' not governor in part on her revolutionizing the on the fervor of the moment. . . . office of state treasurer. What needs to be The same practices. And also the same changed in the state treasurer's office? practices as far as our purchasing. That's an Will gender help you as much as it seems area where the state treasurer's office gener- to be helping Ann Richards? I don't know it's a matter of what needs to ally can have clout, doing business with be changed as what needs to be continued. organizations that have good affirmative Yeah, I think it will help me. I think that Ann certainly has gone a long way. She'll be action programs. women like Hispanics and blacks, they feel the first to admit we got a long way to go in very strongly right now there's an issue in the terms of modernizing, staying up with the You're 'engaged in a primary with two forefront of politics right now, the pro-choice technology. . . . There was a bill passed in the opponents and [could face, in the general issue, and women are very mobilized on that last state Legislature that mandated all tax- election in November, Republican] Kay issue, they want to see people in office who payers over $2 million to wire their tax pay- Bailey Hutchison who's out with Maureen they know they can trust and who will be out ments in. That means, rather than a one- Reagan really building up a bankroll. How there, a spokesperson on those issues as they week, two-week delay perhaps in getting do you see her as an opponent beyond the know they can count on me to be. I think I'll money in, it's instantaneous. . . . And so this primary? have a strong base of support among women changing technology opens the door for a lot activists. ❑ of opportunity for generating more tax reve- She's got 'to raise more money than I do. nue for the state. For one thing, she doesn't have the name identification that I do starting out, although Consolidation of funds? There are 250 she was in the Legislature and on television some funds. Should there be some considera- in the Houston area, she's been pretty much tion of consolidation? low-profile for the last few years. So she's got to spend some money to get some name Probably so, because we probably have identification, and after the primary I'm going about half that many in Harris County. I've to have a little breathing room for catch up A R aI' PN INN never quite understood the proliferation of there .. . funds. And I don't really get involved with it in Harris County because that's the auditor's Just one last question. By your framing is- role. That would be something that isn't sues, and by your sense of the race, the choice "Best Lodging Location for under the treasurer's purview at the state here is between a very competent candidate Fishermen & Beachgoers" level, and that's something I would have to who has the experience to run the office and Group Discounts look at. the proven administrative skills and your primary opponent, who is more ideological, You once quoted Roosevelt Ross Kenner more thematic, talking more about ideas that (512) 749-5555 as saying that women often populate organi- don't have much to do with administrative P.O. Box 8 zations but rarely run them. Is there some- skills. What's the strategy that you design to Port Aransas, TX 78373 thing of a feminist agenda in your candi- deal with that kind of candidate, to break dacy? We're talking to two minority candi- through what you would consider the lace of substance? Send for Free Gulf & Bay dates in a way, even though women are not a Fishing Information numerical minority — . I do want to say that it's not that I'm not There's always a feminist agenda in every- thing I do. I think that the sort of thing that I stand for there ought to be applied, can be applied in hiring practices. Can be applied in • Data Processing promotional practices. It can be applied in an educational role, in continuing to inform the • Typesetting public on what this means now. I think the treasurer could possibly . . . push things like • Printing maternity leave and child care for state employees, that sort of thing. . . . I'll always • Mailing push for that because I think that's good gov- FUTUM ernment. And equitable hiring at all levels. COMMUNICATIONS, INC I've just got a long record of doing that. How about minority hiring in the treasurer's 512-389-1500 office in Harris County? FAX 512-389-0867 When I came in, there were no minority 3019 Alvin DeVane, Suite 500 Austin, Texas 78741 supervisors at all. But the treasurer's office in THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 13 Bidding for Influence Who's Financing the Democratic Governor's Race?

Here is a campaign contribution list for Jim DRIVE-Local 745 (teamsters) $7,500 Willard M. Johnson $1,000 Mattox, the Attorney General and guberna- Dallas Houston torial candidate. This partial donation list, DRIVE Political Fund $5,000 Charles R. Jones $1,000 compiled from records at the Secretary of DRIVE-Local 745 $10,000 Brownsville State's office, includes contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Dial Dunkin $1,000 Jones-Day-Reavis-Pogue $5,000 $1,000 or more donated to two campaign Harlington Good Government Fund funds, the Jim Mattox Finance Committee EAGLE PAC $5,000 Cleveland, Ohio and Mattox's Candidate Officeholder Re- Houston Jones & Granger $2,000 port of Contributions and Expenditures. This Don Faust, Sr. $5,000 (City not available) list only includes campaign donations and in- Houston Robert Jones $2,250 kind donations made between July 1, 1989 Hill A. Feinberg $2,500 Houston and January 5, 1990. Mattox collected in Dallas Jack D. Knox $1,000 cash donations more than $520,000 in this Angel A. Flores $1,000 Dallas reporting period. According to Mattox cam- Zapata Laborers Political Lg-Dc $1,000 paign officials, Mattox currently has $3.4 Randolph R. Gillum $1,000 Washington, D.C. million on hand. The list was compiled by Mesquite Troy LaGrone $1,000 Observer Intern Eva Llorens. Oliver Gould $1,000 Fort Worth Nolanville Thomas H. Laramey $1,000 W. H. Adams $1,000 Curtis C. Gunn, Sr. $1,000 Austin San Antonio Temple Lloyd-Gosselink-Ryan $1,000 Williams H. Adams $1,000 Bob R. Hanna $1,000 & Fowler Abilene Duncanville Austin Hardberger & Rodriguez George Almaraz $9,000 $1,400 Robert J. Longenecker $1,000 Edinburg (in kind) San Antonio Irving George Almaraz $1,500 Reed Hawn $5,000 Sandra Longenecker $1,000 Austin Edinburg Irving Robert T. Hayes George Almaraz $5,000 $5,000 E. A. R. Lord, Jr. $1,000 Edinburg (loans) Dallas Houston Zelma Almaraz $1,500 Heard-Goggan-Blair $10,000 Barry John McAllister $1,000 Edinburg & Williams San Antonio Roland Angelle $1,000 San Antonio Dirk C. Martin $2,000 Beaumont Walter Helm $1,000 McAllen Charles E. Argubright $1,000 Sulphur Springs Michael R. Martin $1,000 Corpus Christi Mark Herfort $1,000 Plano

Robert Aspromonti $1,000 Rosenberg Jim Mattox, $3,891,736.12 Houston Jack E. Hillman $1,000 officeholder account Don R. Ball $1,000 Houston Austin Richard G. Hoffman Irving $2,500 Michael A. Mauger $1,000 James C. Barber $1,000 Austin Corpus Christi Rex Houston Dallas $1,000 Kenneth W. Murphy $1,000 Arturo T. Benavides Henderson $1,000 Dallas Bruni Joe 0. Huggins $2,500 Fred Miccio $1,000 Ken Blewett $5,000 Houston Seabrooks IBEW-COPE Rockport $3,000 Edward Miller $1,400 Malcolm Bracham $1,000 (electrical workers) Texarkana Washington, D.C. Dallas J. M. Miller $2,000 Buster Brown $2,000 Morris D. Jaffe $1,541.84 Houston San Antonio Fort Worth Daniel T. Munier $1,000 John D. Byram $1,000 Morris D. Jaffe $4,911.05 Garland San Antonio Austin (in kind) John L. Nau III $1,500 Dahr Jamail James R. Cochran $1,000 $5,000 Houston Houston Austin R. E. Neuwirth $2,000 Cole-McManus Cole $1,000 Irving Joel $10,000 Plano Richmond, Va. Victoria Steven Dale Oleson $1,200 Crowley & Fugler Jane M. Joel $10,000 $1,000 Austin Bryan Richmond, Va. C. W. Philips $1,000 David J. Curran Johnson & Gibbs $10,000 $5,000 Corpus Christi Houston Dallas Jimmy Phillips $2,000 James L. Donald $1,000 Gregory Johnson $1,000 Angleton Dallas Austin James D. Pitcock, Jr. $15,000 14 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990

Houston Jeffrey S. Weislow $1,000 David Eric Bernsen $1,123 Joe A. Polichino, Jr. $1,000 El Paso Beaumont Houston Hoyt W. Whidbee $1,000 Sylvia Billue $5,000 Harry Poll $1,000 Austin Linden Edmonds, Wash. Monte B. White $1,000 Marie Bogda $1,000 Hugh B. Preston $1,000 Dallas Chebanse, Burkburnett Ward B. White $1,000 Giorgio Borlenghi $5,000 Maury L. Ray $1,000 Dallas Houston Dallas Bill Whitehurst $1,000 Richard Bost $1,000 Chester J. Reed $2,500 Austin Houston Houston Jim Willhite $5,000 J. Donald Bowen $10,000 Carlos Rodriguez $1,200 Houston Houston Weslaco (in kind) Roy Wilson $1,000 Latimer Mitchell Bowen $1,000 John Schaefer, Sr. $1,000 Kerrville Abilene San Antonio Royce E. Wisenbacker $25,000 Cloyce Box $1,250 Schwartz-Page & Harding $1,000 Tyler Dallas Houston Oscar S. Wyatt $1,000 Mrs. Cloyce Box $1,250 Fritz Schenkel $1,000 Houston Dallas Dallas Sharon Brandford Oscar S. Wyatt $15,437 $1,000 Sheet Metal Workers $5,000 Houston (in kind) Kensington, Calif. Local 68 PAL Paul M. York $6,000 Evelyn Brery $1,000 Euless Corpus Christi San Antonio Harold Simmons $5,000 Frances Briggs $1,000 Dallas Here is a partial campaign contribution list Austin Robert S. Sims $1,000 for Ann Richards, the State Treasurer and gu- Richard Brown $2,000 Houston bernatorial candidate. This list, compiled from Austin Carl J. Smith, Jr. $4,500 records. at the Secretary of State's office, in- Jim Burrows $1,000 Collensville (in kind) cludes major contributions donated to the Beverly Hills, Calif. Smith & Associates $2,500 Ann Richards For Governor campaign com- BWG-PAC $2,000 Houston mittee. Only campaign donations made Austin C. William Spencer $3,600 between July 1 and December 31, 1989 are Rebecca Bronson $1,000 Denton included. The committee reported $1.3 mil- Austin State Cope Fund $1,000 lion in contributions during this period. Only Nolton Brown $1,000 Tom F. Steele $1,000 donations of $1,000 or more, and several do- Bridge City Tomball nations by notable contributors, are listed. Frances Callan $2,000 Dr. Ty N. Talcott $2,000 Observer Intern Stephen Merelman com- Waco Dallas piled the list. Nancy Carney $1,000 Texans for $1,000 Santa Fe, N.M. Quality Health CARE PAC The Acme Fund $5,000 Liz Carpenter $2,000 Austin Houston Austin John P. Thompson $1,000 AIA-PAC $1,500 Lois Carpenter $2,500 Dallas New York, N.Y. Midland Paul J. Tillman $1,000 Suzanne Ahn $5,000 Eric Carter $2,000 San Antonio Dallas Houston Travis County $1,987.65 Arlene Alda $2,000 Susan Carter $5,000 Democrats for Mattox New York, N.Y. Bellaire Austin Stanford and Joan $3,000 Citicorp Voluntary $3,000 M. W. T. Troth $1,000 Alexander Political Fund Coppell Houston New York, N.Y. United Transportation $1,000 Joseph Alioto $1,000 James Clark Jr. $1,000 Political Education Legislative Board San Francisco, Calif. Dallas Austin Allied Partners, ltd. $1,000 Mary Ann Cofrin $10,000 USA District 37 PAC Fund $2,000 Houston Austin Houston Maurice and Robert Amon $1,000 Lester Coleman $1,000 James W. Vandeveer $1,000 New York, N.Y. Dallas Dallas Ann Richards Public $6,664.73 Suzanne Coleman $1,000 Ben F. Vaughan III $2,500 Service Committee Austin Austin Austin . Brenda and Roger Collier $1,000 Genevieve D. Vaughan $2,000 Anita Arnold $2,000 Plano Austin Texarkana, Ark. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Craft $1,000 Dennis A. Vickery $1,500 R.L. Atwell $1,000 Jacksboro Houston Kerrville James Crowther $1,000 Robert S. Walt $1,000 Richard Atwell $4,000 Houston Austin Houston Jerry Cunningham $2,000 Del R. Wall $1,000 AUSPAC $5,000 Dallas Dallas Austin CWA-COPE $2,000 Irving Wallerstein $7,200 Anne Bartley $1,500 Washington, D.C. Austin (in kind) Washington, D.C. Mrs. John DeMenil $1,000 James R. Warncke $1,000 Karen Bartoletti $2,500 Houston San Antonio Austin Adelaide DeMenil $1,000

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 15 New York, N.Y. Sep and Carrie Graham $3,000 Deborah Kastrin $5,000 Seymon Deutsch $1,000 Dallas El Paso Laredo Charles Graham $1,000 Jurate Kazickas $1,000 Martha S. Dickie $2,500 Elgin New York, N.Y. Austin Grainger, Howard $1,000 Alan Kahn $5,000 Frank and Betty Douglass $1,000 and Davis Dallas Austin Tyler Charles King $1,000 Brig. Gen. Lillian Dunlap $100 Grayson County Elected $4,024.99 Houston San Antonio Women's Association Alfred Knobler $1,000 Diane Dwight $2,500 Sherman New York, N.Y. Nederland Carl Green $1,000 Jane and Peter Knobler $1,000 Albert Dwoskin $1,000 El Paso New York, N.Y. Fairfax, Va. Jean and Richard Griner $1,000 Nancy Kohler $2,500 Edwards and Perry $10,000 Duncanville Austin Corpus Christi Groce, Locke and Hebdon $1,500 Ronya Kometsky $3,000 Electo-PAC $2,500 San Antonio Austin Austin Lena Guerrero $100 M. Christine Jurzy Kowski $1,000 Mrs James A. Elkins $1,000 Austin Glen Rose Denver, Co. Steve Gutow $1,000 Bill Kugle $1,000 Mary O'Boyle English $25,000 Dallas Athens Stonewall Norma and Warren Hackler $1,000 Mr. and Mrs.Robert Lane $2,000 Enron PAC $1,000 Austin Dallas Houston Hacker, Norma & Loyd $1,000 Stephen Lerer $5,000 Elissa Epstein $1,000 Kearneysville, W.V. Dallas New York, N.Y. Dagmar Hamilton $1,000 Alton and Nancy Liao $1,000 David* Epstein $3,000 Austin Plano Boston, Mass. Stevan Hammond $3,500 Lidell, Sapp, Lively, Hill $5,000 Z. Joyce Eskridge $1,000 Irving and LaBoon Waxahachie Charles Hardy $1,000 Houston Ray Farabee $500 Dallas Roger Dale Linebarger $2,500 Wichita Falls Mr and Mrs Milledge $5,000 Austin Vernon Faulconer $1,000 Hart III LEAP $1,000 Tyler Dallas Washington, D.C. M. B. Few $1,000 Steven Hastings $1,000 Ann Logan-Lubben $5,000 Waxahachie Grand Prairie Dallas First City Bancorporation $3,000 Gene B. Hazlewood $5,000 William Lyons $1,000 PAC Baytown • Austin Houston Wesley Hiatt $1,000 Donna Lopiano $1,000 First City Bancorporation $5,000 San Antonio Austin PAC Nolanda Hill $1,000 Tom and Anne Marie Lord ner $2,500 Austin University Park Dallas Fisher, Gallagher, Perrin $10,000 Tracey Hilseweck $1,500 MAC-PAC $1,000 and Lewis Dallas Temple Houston HISPAC $1,000 Thomas Mackell, Jr. $1,000 Parker Folse III $1,000 Houston Rancho Mirage, Calif. Houston Jane Hogan $1,000 Barbara Lipshy Marcus $1,000 Ruth Forbis $2,500 Houston Dallas San Antonio Houston Industries PAC $1,000 Stanley Marcus $500 Carol McMurtry Fowler $1,000 Houston Dallas Austin Denise Hubbard $2,500 Mrs. Stanley Marsh 3 $100 Robert and Linda Frazer $1,000 Port Neches Amarillo Austin Independent Action $3,000 Douglass Marshall $1,000 Monica Fried $1,000 Washington, D.C. Houston Dallas Madeleine Johnson $1,000 Susan McAshan $1,000 John and Jill Friedenrich $1,000 Dallas Houston Cupertino, Calif. Johnson and Gibbs $10,500 McCall, Parkhurst and $1,000 J. Kent Friedman $2,000 Dallas Horton Houston Jode Johnson $1,000 Austin Margaret Lewis Furse $2,000 Dallas Mrs. Eugene McDermott $1,000 Austin Jones, Day, Reavis and Pogue $5,000 Dallas David Garcia $2,000 Cleveland, Ohio R.M. Mignon McGarry $1,000 Edinburg Beth B. Jones $5,000 Austin Ramon Garcia $1,000 Austin Lore Harp McGovern $1,000 Edinburg John T. Jones $1,000 Hillsborough, Calif. Frances Geoff $1,000 Hempstead Mary Lucy McGrath $1,500 Houston Mary Jordan and Robert $4,500 New York, N.Y. Jacqueline Goettsche $20,000 DeLaurenti Malcolm McGregor $1,000 Fredricksburg Rockwall El Paso Charles Goolsbee $1,000 Audrey Kaplan $4,000 Mr. and Mrs.Mike McKool $1,000 Houston Dallas Dallas 16 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 Mr.andMrs. StandishMeacham $3,500 Dallas Marshall Austin R&S Associates $1,000 TBC-Austin PAC $1,000 Renie Mead $2,500 San Francisco, Calif. Austin Dallas Michael Ramsey $2,500 TCU/RCPL $1,000 Heriberto Medrano $3,000 Beaumont Washington, D.C. Harlingen Bernard Rapoport $20,000 Anne Taft $1,000 Melinda Mendelson $1,000 Waco Binghamton, N.Y. Berkely, Calif. Leonard Rauch $1,000 Stephen Tatum $5,000 Michael Merriman $1,000 Houston Fort Worth Kansas City, Mo. Macey Hodges Reasoner $1,000 Mary Taylor $2,500 Joe Jack Merriman $1,000 Houston Houston Kansas City, Mo. Susan B. Reese $1,000 Texana PAC II $5,000 Metlife Employees PAC $1,000 Dallas Austin New York, N.Y. Jess Rickman III $1,000 Texas Commerce PAC $5,000 Lisa Miller $1,000 Dallas Houston Houston Daniel and Lenore Riley $1,000 Texas Good Government Fund $4,000 Ed Miller $1,300 Dallas Houston Texarkana John Roberson $1,000 Texas Library Association $1,000 Minnesota Women's $5,000 Houston PAC Campaign Fund George Roberts $1,000 Victoria St. Paul, Minn. San Francisco, Calif. Marto Thomas $2,000 Vernon Minton $1,000 Corbin Robertson Jr. $2,000 Los Angeles, Calif. Fort Worth Houston John Thompson $1,000 Don Montgomery Jr. $1,000 Michael and Patricia Rochelle $2,500 Dallas Dallas Dallas Mrs. J.R. Thornton $1,000 John Moores $25,000 Reed Rubin $1,000 San Marcos Sugar Land New York, N.Y. Michael Tigar $1,000 Maura Morey $1,000 Robert Rubin $10,000 Austin Tilburon, Calif. New York, N.Y. L.C. Tubb Jr. $1,000 MORGANPAC $2,500 Wolfe Rudman $1,000 Fort Worth New York, N.Y. Dallas Valero PAC $2,500 Merriman Morton $1,000 Ann Saegert $1;000 San Antonio Austin Dallas Debbie Van $1,000 Gary Muller $1,000 Jane Saginaw $5,000 Dallas Kansas City, Mo. Dallas Mr. and Mrs. Jay Vogelson $2,000 Lucille Murchison $500 Patricia Saunders $1,000 Dallas Dallas Houston Mr. and Mrs. Howard Waltman $1,000 NWPC Campaign Support $3,000 James and Joanne Savarese $1,000 Tenafly, N.J. Committee Arlington, Va. Lew and Edith Wasserman $2,500 Washington D.C. Arthur and Joyce Schecter $5,000 Universal City, Calif. 0, J and C Company $1,000 Houston Wendy Wasserstein $250 Houston Carolyn Seale and Carol Klose $3,000 New York, N.Y. Madelin Joan Olds $1,000 San Antonio Mark Weiner $1,000 Corpus Christi John Seidl $1,000 Providence, R.I. Olson, Stem and Buenger $1,000 Piedmont, Calif. Weisbrod and Weisbrod $1,000 Waco W.A. Sessi $1,000 Dallas Mildred Oppenheimer $1,000 Austin Mary Nan West $11,000 Dallas George Shipley $1,000 Batesville Paine Webber Fund for $3,000 Austin Marty Whitehead $1,000 Better Government John C. Sims $1,000 San Antonio New York, N.Y. Lubbock Stephanie Whitehurst $1,000 J.R. Parten $1,000 Margaret Singh and $1,000 Austin Houston Himmat Kulhary Mr.&MrsJ.McDonaldWiliams $10,000 Mike Patterson $5,000 Frisco Dallas Tyler Bruce Smiley $1,000 Winifred Read Wilson $1,000 Margaret Pearson $1,000 San Antonio Darien, Conn. Seattle, Wash. Patricia Smothers $1,800 Windom Resources $1,000 Sandra and David Petruska $5,000 San Antonio Washington, D.C. Dallas Ratna Solomon $1,000 Barbara Winston $1,000 Susan Searle Philips $2,500 Dallas Houston Berkely, Calif. Southwest Public Affairs $1,000 Women's Campaign Fund $3,000 Susan Place $5,000 Committee Washington, D.C. Plano Houston Women's Political Committee $5,000 Beverly Pletcher $1,000 R.C. and Deborah Stack $1,000 Los Angeles, Calif. Houston Dallas John Wright $1,000 Claudine Pletcher $1,000 Rob and Mary Ann Stein $1,000 Grand Prairie Houston Washington, D.C. Eleanor Custis Wright $1,000 Gary Prasher $1,000 John Stephens $1,000 Austin Austin Dallas J. Stanley Yake $1,000 Charles Purnell $1,000 Stokes and Stokes $1,000 Rexford, N.Y. THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 17

Peg Yorkin $1,000 Robert Crouch $2,000 Austin Greenville Richard Morrison III $7,000 Los Angeles, Calif. Susan Young $1,000 Michael Curran $75,000 Houston Houston Ralph O'Conner $5,000 Houston Kneeland Youngblood $1,000 James Dawley $10,000 Houston Houston C.N. Papdopoulos $1,000 Dallas Janna Zumbrun $1,000 Jerry Deutser $25,000 Houston Houston Houston Michael Parks $2,500 Thomas Dunning $25,000 Houston Dallas James Pitcock $25,000 Enron PAC $2,000 Houston Houston William Ratz $5,000 Alan Feld $50,000 Houston Former governor and gubernatorial candi- Dallas Hamilton Richardson $2,000 date Mark White's list of contributors com- Fisher, Gallagher Perrin $2,500 New York, N.Y. piled from records at the Secretary of State's and Lewis Guy Robertson Sr. $5,000 office may be relatively short, but his con- Houston Houston tributors are generous. From July 1 until De- John Fleming $50,000 Regina Rogers $2,500 cember 31, the latest reporting period, the Dallas Houston Mark White Campaign 1990 Committee and Ramsay Gillman $10,000 William Rogers $1,000 the Governor Mark White Committee took in Houston Austin a combined $2,720,318.05, including a mil- Richard Hall $1,000 Victor Russek Jr. $50,000 lion-dollar loan from First City Bank of Eden Houston Houston and $14.01 of in-kind services. The Lloyd Hayes $1,000 Jim Sale $25,000 Observer has compiled a list of every White Port Arthur Dallas contributor parting with over $1,000. This Gary Hill $1,000 Antonio Sanchez $2,500 list was compiled by Intern Stephen Merel- El Paso Laredo man. John Houchins $7,500 Thomas Schleifer $1,000 Houston Fort Worth Robert Hughes $5,000 Sewell and Riggs $5,000

Bruce Anderson $1,000 Austin Houston Charles Jenness $10,000 Shearson, Lehman and $5,000 Houston Robert Bass $25,000 Houston Hutton PAC Larry Johnson $100,000 New York, N.Y. Fort Worth Bennett and Broocks $2,000 Houston Michael Shelton $2,500 George Jordan Jr. $2,500 Houston Houston William Blackburn $1,000 Houston Matthew Simmons $5,000 Coyle Kelly $1,000 Houston Dallas Jack Blanton $10,000 Austin Barry Silverman $50,000 Houston Clarence Kendall II $2,500 Houston Frank Booth $2,500 Houston L.E. Simmons $5,000 Houston Livingston Kosberg $35,000 Houston Bill Boyd $25,000 Houston Barry Smitherman $25,000 Frank Krasovec $1,000 Houston McKinney Ed Brooks $1,000 Austin Richard Strauss $50,000 Houston Henry Landan $1,000 Dallas Earl Burke Jr. $100,000 Chicago, Il. John Sullivan $50,000 Houston Robert Lanier $10,000 Dallas Philip Carroll $1,000 Houston Fred Talkington $2,500 Houston Donna Glick Lewis' $1,000 Dallas John Chase III $10,000 Houston Larry Temple $1,000 $5,000 Houston Frann Lichtenstein Austin Frank Cihak $50,000 Houston Ralph Thomas $110,000 Harris Lichtenstein $15,000 Houston Houston Derill Cody $5,000 Houston Richard Tinsely $2,500 Houston David Lucterhand $1,000 Houston Committee for Education $50,000 Houston Charles Tracy $1,000 and Criminal Justice John Massey $35,000 Houston Dallas Duong Tranvan $1,000 Houston James Leard Conner $2,500 Larry Massey $75,000 Houston Dayton Houston Beverly Weitinger $2,000 Bonnie Jo McMillan $1,000 Houston Houston Jeffrey Weiss $50,000 Mark Miller $8,500 Dallas Sugar Land James Wilson $1,000 This publication is available in microform from University Ray Miller $25,000 Houston 151 114%, Microfilms International. \ • Dallas Royce Wisenbaker $50,000 Call toll-free 800- 521 -3044. Or mail incii.ory to. Walter Mischer Jr. $10,000 Houston University Microfilms Intornational. 300 North ,VN! Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. MI 48106. Houston Raye White $3,000 John Mobley $5,000 Houston 18 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

✓ WHEN PRESIDENT Bush attended Association has made its first political en- person that is my opponent," he told the a December 7 campaign fundraiser in Hous- dorsement. Citing concerns with Times. "Mrs. Rosson voted for PaloVerde. . . ton for Phil Gramm, he praised Gramm for Santiesteban's integrity and morality, the to increase rates that to this day this district is understanding "the value of good education association endorsed his opponent, former paying $60 million because of her votes." In — he co-sponsored our Educational Excel- Public Utility Commissioner Peggy Rosson, fact, as member of the Public Utility Commis- lence Act." But when the Senate voted re- in the March Democratic primary. On the sion, Rosson earned a reputation as a knowl- cently on the bill, Gramm was one of only campaign trail, Santiesteban has sought to edgeableconsumeradvocate.On the vote cited eight senators who voted against it. "Gramm turn the character issue against his opponent. bySantiesteban, she only ruled on afinding of already has a perfect record on funding edu- "There's something I think you ought to fact. Santiesteban's law firm has been retained cation," said Hugh Parmer, Gramm's likely know about this consumer-oriented alleged for years to represent El Paso Electric. ❑ Democratic challenger. "He has never voted to fund any education program. This time he even voted against the principle of improving educational excelence."

✓ PARMER'S CHANCES of unseat- Berlanga's Cozy Deal ing Gramm haven't improved much in recent months. Gramm's most recent campaign contribution filing with the Federal Election Corpus Christi state Rep. Hugo Ber- ported the exact selling price — a matter Commission is six inches thick, is divided langa sold his Austin condo in Novem- of public record. Nor did Berlanga's into four parts and weighs about five pounds. ber, and he struck a good bargain: The account of a "terrible investment," an Inside are hundreds of pages of individual buyer was a well-heeled constituent and investment that resulted in a trivial loss, contributions, ranging from $100 to $1,000, the selling price — $89,000 — was lead to questions about the actual tax most of them dated in December. Gramm has $20,000 more than market value. But as valuation of the property. raised more, spent more, and has more money the Observer went to press news of these The Statesman reported on February 5 on hand now than any other senator up for re- financial details had yet to surface in the that Kendricks bought the Westgate election. Since taking office in 1985, Gramm Corpus Christi Caller-Times, despite the condo, located near the Capitol, for has raised $10.6 million and has spent $4.5 paper's scoop on the transaction. $89,000. The unit's tax-roll valuation is million, leaving him with a $6.1 million The condo had caused raised eyebrows listed at $58,647, and according to sev- campaign war chest. In 1989, Gramm raised for some time. In August 1989, Austin eral Austin real-estate agents would sell $5.6 million, $3.7 million of which came American-Statesman reporters Laylan for $70,000 - $75,000. The actual prop- from the latter part of the year. Expenses Copelin and Mike Ward broke the story; erty values were brought to light by Laylan were particularly heavy toward the year's the Statesman reported that $1,200 Copelin of the Statesman. end as his campaign staff geared up for the monthly interest and maintenance pay- Copelin was tipped off to the story by December 7 Astrodome fundraiser, where ments were made by Berlanga's political Warren's scoop. "I just saw another President George Bush spoke and country donors. Meanwhile the representative angle that hadn't been covered and I singer Lee Greenwood sang. GOP officials himself paid only $100 per month toward covered it," Copelin said. "There are few had said at the time that Gramm grossed $2.4 the principal. pieces of real estate in Austin that sell for million from the event. Based on a review of After the Statesman article appeared, that much, much less a condo." the FEC report, that figure appears accurate. Berlanga tried to sell his condo on the Jim Davis, the head of the Harte-Hanks Among other expenses listed are: sagging Austin market. It finally sold in Austin bureau, defended the coverage. • $278,290 on catering for the event. This November. The buyer, Robert Kendricks, He said it is unfair to compare the work of apparently includes rental of the Astrodome is a Corpus Christi real-estate investor the much larger Austin paper to the Harte- and the price of chicken dinners and Texas and attorney; he has been acquainted Hanks bureau. "We work our butts off wine served that night. with Berlanga for four or five years. doing the baby stories. I don't think we • $75,000 paid to the Republican National Kendricks now rents the condo back to should be criticized for not trying to Committee to reimburse the travel expenses Berlanga for $1,200 a month. According compete with the . . . Austin American- of President Bush and other big names and to the Statesman, Berlanga's political Statesman," he said. out-of-towners. contributors pick up the tab. "You guys are supposed to be for the Other expenses which appear to be related The sale was first reported in the Cor- little guys," he told the Observer. "Well, to the fundraiser include $32,100 listed as pus Christi Caller-Times by Janet War- we're the little guys." event expenses paid to two consulting firms ren of Harte-Hanks ("Tired of 'innu- Harte-Hanks owns 12 small and me- shortly before the night. The Gramm cam- endo,' Berlanga sells condominium", dium-sized papers in Texas. paign also spent thousands on apartments for January 25), scooping the Statesman on Said Copelin: "It takes more than one staffers who worked the event and for special the second half of its own story. But the paper . . . these stories come in bits and telephone service. The cost of mail was the Harte-Hanks story did not include sev- pieces." But the more complete version biggest expense. Various direct-mail firms eral important aspects of the transaction. of the story has not yet been aired by the and the Postal Service divided up $439,576 In the Harte-Hanks story Berlanga de- Caller-Times. in the last quarter of the year, the report scribed the condominium as a "terrible Davis did say Harte-Hanks is investi- showed. investment in the depressed Austin mar- gating "some ongoing stuff' in connec- ket," and claimed that he sold the prop- tion with campaign finance. Perhaps the ✓ PERSONAL ALLEGATIONS from erty for a price in the "nineties." Berlanga story of Berlanga's cozy deal will reach El Paso Senator Tati Santiesteban are caus- bought the condo in 1984 for $95,400. Corpus Christi yet. ing a stir in West Texas. The El Paso Times The Harte-Hanks reporter never re- Stephen Merelman reports that the 13-member New Car Dealers

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 19 BOOKS & THE CULTURE

BY STEVEN KELLMAN .ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY been living with another one for years, her destruction. The engaging performances by Directed by Paul Mazursky phantom husband Herman. Silver, Stein, Huston, and Olin make it also a HENRY V On the pretext of business trips to sell demonstration of how love and marriage go Directed by Kenneth Branagh books in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore together like sauce and porridge. Finally, and Indiana, Herman spends nights in the Silver's Herman is his own worst enemy, his did not have the privilege of going Bronx, with the voluptuous Masha (Lena own most enduring lover. Mazursky con- through the Hitler holocaust," writes Olin), a veteran of Dachau. "A little crazy but cludes his spirited study of immigrant wraiths I Isaac Bashevis Singer, who fled Poland tremendously interesting" is the way Her- with the same image with which he begins in 1935, in a note to his 1972 novel Enemies: man describes his third wife, Masha, to his the film: the Coney Island Wonder Wheel A Love Story. For such an ordeal, most of us first wife, Tamara, as each of the three women that hurls passengers in orbits that lead would prefer to be underprivileged. And yet, begins to learn about the others. Masha's nowhere and over which they have no con- those who survived the death camps, who interest is erotic, as though sensuality were trol. Mazursky, who puts in a cameo appear- were compelled to confront humanity at its her last claim to life. "Jewish laws and all the ance as Masha's estranged husband Leon worst — and perhaps best — bear a moral other laws mean as much to me as last year's Tortshiner, has not reinvented the wheel, authority that is the envy of any mere writer frost," declares Masha, like Herman, a lost merely turned it into his story's emblem of or director. How can others portray the ele- soul whose body has become a battleground enmity and love. mental experience of genocide without be- for a struggle between Eros and Thanatos. "May I with right and conscience make traying it? The earnest efforts of a schlemiel to satisfy this claim?" asks Henry V about his conten- Except for a few extremely brief flashbacks, and quarantine three different wives is farce tion that the French throne, like the British, Enemies: A Love Story is set in the aftermath stretched into pathos. Herman's grotesque legitimately belongs to him. "Certainly not," of Hitler's war against the Jews. The year is trilemma is most effectively visualized when is the answer an honest. reader of the 1949, and Herman Broder (Ron Silver), who he stands in a subway station facing signs for Shakespeare history plays must needs give. managed to elude the Nazis by hiding in a Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx; the The Archbishop of Canterbury, whose eccle- hayloft, is now living in New York with his boroughs in which Yadwiga,' Tamara, and siastical ambitions require indulging the wife Yadwiga (Margaret Sophie Stein), a Masha, respectively, reside. This is concen- young monarch, provides just the right blend pretty Polish peasant. It is a marriage of tration camp humor four years after the os- of casuistry and doublespeak to rationalize a gratitude, as Yadwiga, who used to be the tensible liberation. In Herman's three wives, decision that Henry has probably already Broder family servant, saved Herman's life one senses three components of the human made: to seek to add France to his royal by concealing him in her family's barn. Still personality, something like Aristotle's tri- portfolio. "No king of England if not king of a servant to her learned husband, the illiterate partite division into spirit, mind, and appe- France," proclaims Henry before crossing and superstitious Yadwiga worships Her- tite. He needs them all. The fact that, despite the Channel on his mission of conquest. By man, though he discourages her conversion strenuous efforts, hapless Herman is not able that, he ostensibly means that if defeated in to a faith he has lost, the God of his ancestors. to reconcile the three signifies a fragmenta- his bid to vanquish France he will also lose Herman's first wife, Tamara, and the couple's tion of his identity. Like Woody Allen's England. But the line also suggests that his two children perished, he believes, in the chameleon man Zelig or like Jerzy Kosinski's claim to the French monarchy is as specious Nazi death camps, along with his motivation gardener Chance, he is all pendulum and no as that to the British. If uneasy lies the head for getting out of bed in the morning. pith. that wears the crown, it is a hard pate that "I'm no longer of this world," says Her- The screenplay that director Paul Mazursky would wear two. man to Rabbi Lembeck (Alan King), a very wrote with Roger Simon is far more solici- We know from Henry IV that Henry worldly cleric whom Singer describes as "at tous of Singer's book than Barbra Streisand' s Bolingbroke's elevation to Henry IV was once thick-skinned, goodhearted, sentimen- Yentl is of the Yiddish master's original Yentl bloody and unjust. His heir's pretensions to tal, sly, brutal, naive." Lembeck employs the Yeshiva Boy. What is most striking about the French throne are based on a challenge to Herman to write the books, articles, and its cinematic realization is a knowing evoca- Salic law, which prohibits succession through speeches that he passes off as his own and tion of time and place. Mazursky has recre- the female line. Henry V's great-great-grand- that enable him to maintain an elegant apart- ated a teeming, festive seaside neighborhood mother was the daughter of France's Philip ment on Central Park West. For Herman, that today is but a Coney Island of the mind. IV. However, if Salic law is to be disre- who is no longer of this world, ghostwriting' His Lower East Side still abounds with Jewish garded, Edmund Mortimer, descended from is his only and invisible means of support. peddlers and pushcarts, and the rural hotel to Edward III through his grandmother, has "You're a lost man, Herman," declares long- which Herman and Masha sneak away is a priority over Henry to reign over England. lost Tamara (Anjelica Huston), who sud- lively buckle on the old Catskill borscht belt. It is raining over Agincourt during the denly materializes on the Lower East Side. The film is richly textured, with the clothing, climactic battle in Kenneth Branagh's ver- When Tamara appears at the door of her the food, the music, and the shadows of a sion of Henry V. The play has been made apartment in Coney Island, Yadwiga is con- post-War America in which European refu- admirably cinematic, in its tracking shots, vinced she is seeing a ghost, though she has gees could find haven but no repose. closeups, and meticulous framing. Branagh The title, Enemies: A Love Story, teases effectively crosscuts between the French and Steven G. Kellman is professor of compara- with its ambiguities. This is the multiple English camps on the eve of combat. Several tive literature at The University of Texas at romance of people torn apart and thrown of the scenes — the French ambassador's San Antonio. together by a villainous regime bent on their insulting gift of a tun of tennis balls, Henry's 20 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 clever unmasking of three noble traitors, quarrel between Nym and Pistol. It is a que s- way, he is as delicate as when he forcibly Katherine's English lessons, Henry's incog- tion that Branagh's film slights but that could seizes the town of Harfleur. Defensive about nito visit with his soldiers — are memorably well form the basis of a post-imperialist, the years he spent in effeminate avoidance of photographed. The most violent scene, shot post-patriarchal reading of Shakespeare's responsibility, he inhabits a world of male in slow motion with a muted soundtrack, play. Bardolph's plea for general disarma- camaraderie where one proves oneself probably appropriated the effect from Akira ment might have averted the useless blood- through aggression. Shakespeare does not Kurosawa's superb Lear adaptation, Ran. shed that Branagh presents as necessary to necessarily endorse that attitude, but Bran- The actors seem to be talking, rather than the education of a ruler. Bardolph himself agh seems to. The lighting, editing, and music declaiming famous speeches. And Derek ends up dangling from a noose, condemned conspire to persuade us that despite the human Jacobi's intrusive Chorus is intriguingly by Henry to hang for a crime no more heinous loss — in human lives and in the humanity of metacinematic. than the youthful indiscretions he himself the survivors — invading France and massa- However, what is puzzling about this new indulged in in Bardolph's. company. A flash- cring 10,000 of its soldiers while losing only film is Branagh's decision, as director and back to scenes from Henry IV in which Prince 29 of your own is a magnificent achievement. title actor, to present Shakespeare's play as Hal, is carousing with Bardolph, Falstaff and Shakespeare's plays ought to be performed the story of the making of an English hero. other rowdies, explains the tear that runs as often as someone has fresh insights to Laurence Olivier's spectacularly jingoist down King Henry's cheek as he watches his share about them. Olivier's film should not Henry V is best understood as a product of old friend put to death by his decree. Re- close the book on Henry V. Neither should 1944, when an embattled Britain needed to peated closeups of Branagh's earnest, sober Branagh's. Though it would be hard to dupli- rally the happy few to the defense of its face suggest, without apparent irony, that the cate the quality of performances, by a cast civilization. Branagh's Henry is a less gran- sacrifice of churns is a small price to pay to that includes Simon Shepherd, Brian Blessed, diose figure, a young man who is growing become a successful warrior-prince. Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Paul Scofield, and into a difficult job that has to be done. But For all his scorn of Salic law, Branagh's Christopher Ravenscroft, more skeptical does it? Pat Doyle's uplifting melodies insist Henry is no feminist. "She is our capital approaches to Henry's career are possible it does, but the complex text might suggest demand" is the way he describes Katherine when another determined director moves once otherwise. (Emma Thompson) to her royal father, as more unto the breach. It is not necessary to "Why the devil should we keep knives to cut though* the princess were merely another bit endorse bellicose megalomaniacs like Henry, one another's throats?" asks Bardolph early of battlefield booty. When Henry woos her, who make themselves too big for their in the drama, attempting to quell a barroom- knowing that Katherine has no choice any- breaches. ❑ SOCIAL CAUSE CALENDAR

International Women's pay for space $4. For music $4. 452-4941. Day In Austin OBSERVANCES • March 5 - 8 - 10:30 p.m. Performance This year the International Women's Day February 28, 1906 • " Upton Sinclair's Art Night at Capital City Playhouse with Festival in Austin runs from March 1-8. The Jungle published. Heloise Gold, Sally Jacque, Beverly The University Coop will open the festi- March 3, 1919 • Supreme Court holds Bajema, and more call 441-2452. $4. val with a book signing party for more that freedom of speech does not apply to • March 6 - 8 - 10 p.m. Poetry Reading at than 20 women writers including Ann resisting the draft. RGK Foundation, 2815 San Gabriel with Richards, Liz Carpenter, Pat Ellis Taylor, March 5, 1927 • U.S. Marines land in Sherry Soloman, Cecilia Bustamante, Marian Barnes, and Susan Bright. A full China. Peggy Lynch, Bashira. 441-2452. $4. week of activities featuring art, music, March 6, 1857 • Supreme Court upholds • March 7 - 6 - 8 p.m. Art Opening: Ester performance art, and literature is sched- slavery in Dred Scott decision. Hernandez at Las Manilas Avenue Cafe, uled. Events include: March 8, 1989 • International Women's 21ongress, 472-9357. Sponsored by La •March 1 - 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Women Day. Pena and the City of Austin Arts Commis- Authors at the University Coop, 2246 March 11, 1933 • U.S. troops intervene sion. Free. Guadalupe. More than 20 authors. Call in Nicaragua. • March 7 - 8 - 10 p.m. Poetry Reading at 476-7211. RJK Foundation, 2815 San Gabriel. Read- • March 1 - 8 - 10 p.m. Poetry Reading Regency-Austin on Town Lake. 208 Bar- ers: Judith Ferguson, Pat Taylor, Peggy ath the RJK Foundation, 2815 San Gab- ton Springs, 474-9783. Donation, $1.50 Kelley. 441-2452. Sponsored by Plain riel. Readers: Marion Winnik, Marcella • March 4 - 1:00 - 2:30 surviving Incest View Press, Women and Their Work and Bryant, Minne Mariam Miles. 441-2452. Healing the Spirit: A workshop to look at the City of Austin Arts Commission. Sponsored by Plain View Press, Women the many ways of healing the inner child Admission $4. and Their Work, and the City of Austin. after. the experience of incest, including a • March 8 - 6 - 8 p.m. Art Opening: Admission $4. guided visualization on the healing proc- Women Viewing Women, an exhibit cu- • March 2 - 7:30 - 11 p.m. Book signing ess. Presenters: Donna Descoteaux and rated by Sidney Yeager and featuring the party for Susan Bright's new book about Jan MacLean are clinical social workers work of ten women artists at the RGK a trickster character called BUNNY. Art in private practice in Austin. Both have Foundation, 2815 San Gabriel. Sponsored exhibit by Randy Smith Huke including over 10 years experience working with by Women and Their Work and the City of work created for the book. Reception: incest survivors. 4314 Medical Parkway Austin Arts Commission, 447-1064. 7:30 - 8:30. Readying 8:30. Music by #11. 452-4941. No admission charge. • March 8 - 6 - 8 p.m. Art Opening at the Tina Marsh and Friends beginning at • March 4 - 7 - 11 p.m. Mending the Austin Women's Peace House, 1305 E. 9:30. Call 441-2452. Admission $4. Circle, a ceremony to help repair tears in First St., 474-0703, film at 9 p.m. •March 3 - 7:00 -10:00 Austin Women's the threads connecting all peoples of the • March 8 - 8 - 11 p.m. Women's Music Political Caucus award ceremony honor- world in a global weaving. Storytelling by Night at Chicago House, 607 Trinity. Ruth ing women's achievements in politics, Shamaan Ochaum "Shadowsinger". Huber, Kate McLennan, Lourie Boe Dee, culture, and arts. Reception with desert Music by Hope Morgan, Suzy Stern and Emily Kaitz and more. 473-2542, 441- and music by Islas Mujeras at the Hyatt Friends to begin at 9:20. Donation to help 2452.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 21

.0. AFTERWORD Men of Conviction A Day in San Antonio with Candidate Kent and Colonel 011ie BY ALLAN FREEDMAN

San Antonio he day the Iran-Contra story broke, I was hopeful. Then-Attorney General T Ed Meese appeared on the defensive. ABC White House correspondent Sam Donaldson made comparisons to Watergate. And President Reagan executed a conspicu- ous vanishing act sure to prove this political Houdini's undoing. Something was begin- ning to stick to the Teflon president, or so I thought. Meese weathered the storm, Donaldson went on to host a dull news hour, and Ronald Reagan, well, he just rode hap- pily into the political sunset. In a decade in which image was used so effectively to dominate the American psy- che, it was only fitting that the Iran-Contra affair promoted yet another public official adept at self-promotion by sound-bite. Ol- iver North turned an appearance before the congressional committee investigating the scandal into a self-promotion gig so heart- warming there was talk of a presidential bid. The scandal had at first raised the possibility that Reaganism would be exposed. Instead, Iran-Contra established the reputation of an American anti-hero. In this new decade, North has shed his shiny medals but not the boyish grin that has warmed the hearts of more than a few im- pressionable middle-aged women. And if two recent Texas appearances are any indica- tion, North is doing what any loyal American would do — cashing in on his appeal. Perhaps it says something about the fate of this republic that instead of occupying a jail cell, convicted felon Oliver North is raising money for Kent Hance. Hance, the Demo- crat-turned-Republican who would be gov- ernor, paid North $25,000 for a 12-minute speech at a San Antonio campaign fundraiser. The San Antonio event and another appear- ance on behalf of the Hance campaign helped GAIL WOODS the candidate collect $200,000 in badly needed political contributions. (After the a good bit about Southern hospitality," North future because that, after all, is what this Hance events, Steve Stockman, a Republi- told about 150 applauding Hance followers country is about. can who wants to unseat U.S. Rep. Jack in San Antonio. "When I am traveling around the length Brooks, also paid North $25,000 for a cam- "What I have seen of Kent Hance is the and breadth of this blesed land of ours and paign appearance.) kind of thing I would hope to see around the have the opportunity to meet the American And as for Oliver North, he appeared to rest of America," North declared. "It is a people, who every month for 20 years sent take to the Texas campaign trail with the person who is committed not just to those me a paycheck, there are two things I like to charm of a seasoned captain of industry. values that made us what we were, but do: first of all to say thank you ... and second "You all can teach the folks in Washington committed to see those values applied to the of all that over the course of that 20 years I've 22 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990 • . ' 1 • ; come to have an enormous regard for the wisdom and the vision of the American people." North was officially unavailable for ques- DIALOGUE tions. Dressed in a dark suit and carrying a black briefcase, he strode briskly into the Continued from page 2 praise should he become the Democratic medium-sized conference room. His exit was presidential nominee. just as swift and determined. Reporters were Bob Bullock's Bentsen's attitudes on foreign policy are restricted to a roped-off area at the rear of the Schedule anachronistic, his record on the environ- medium-sized hotel meeting room and were You asked, in your January 26th edition, ment is not good, and his stand on abortion discouraged from mixing with the 150 or so where I was on January 20th during the has been wishy-washy. Hance loyalists. Public Citizen candidate accountability Attitudes in the country today are more After the address, Hance made his way to conference. liberal than they were a few years ago. the back of the room and, appearing de- I was attending long-scheduled meetings George Bush, aware of the changing mood, lighted by all the attention, fielded questions with machinists and with communications gives lip service to every liberal concern from a pack of reporters eager to ask the same workers. As was originally scheduled, I but does nothing about them. At a time question — or at least a variation on the same met with these two groups, appealed for when the country is trying to move question. their endorsements and received them. My forward, why should the call of the "Do you have any other plans to have other opponent was at neither of these meetings. Democratic party be, "Backwards with convicted felons speak for you?" a reporter As for why the organizers of the Bentsen!" asked. conference thought I would be there, you Margie Hammet "Well, I was glad to have 011ie North here. will have to asks them. Public Citizen Austin If he's good enough for Ronald Reagan, he's originally set this conference for January good enough for me. I think the American 10th. I told them I had a conflict on that A Missing public thinks highly of 011ie North and I was day, as I figured many other Democratic Question glad to have his support," said Hance. candidates would, since it was the same Thank you for your splendid interviews "This man shredded important govern- day the Mexican-American Democrats with the candidates; but why did you fail to ment documents, and you stand here today were meeting. They agreed to reschedule, ask John Odom, candidate for Attorney and want to be governor of Texas, and you but I wrote them well ahead of time and General, his views on abortion issues? say you support this man?" asked another told them I had a schedule conflict on their The 1989 Webster decision makes the reporter. alternate day as well. states battlefields for reproductive rights. "I will be a law-and-order candidate, and I On the other hand, I did answer the This is a major issue for women in Texas; will be a law-and-order governor," Hance questions Public Citizen sent along with before we vote we want to know where the said. their invitation. I answered them in detail candidates stand. And so it went. Reporters, primarily tele- and I did not avoid the issues. From what I Here in El Paso, the Southwest Coalition vision reporters, kept asking questions to have read, my opponent did far less For Choice, 2500 members of civic provoke Hance into a damaging response. answering than dancing. organizations, sent a reproductive rights And after dodging each query, Hance flashed • Bob Bullock questionnaire to all candidates for state and a grin and went on to the next question. Comptroller of Public Accounts local offices. The candidates answers to In some ways, there couldn't be a more Austin this questionnaire will be published for perfect fit than Kent Hance and Oliver North. voter education. Hance, a former Democrat, is often described Backwards with Beverly Marmon in Grand Old Party circles as a tireless oppor- Bentsen El Paso tunist. The South Texas Friends of 011ie James Galbraith, like a number of others, North warned the former lieutenant 'colonel suggests that Lloyd Bentsen would make a Waiting for against associating with Hance, whom the good nominee for the Democrats in 1982. An Apology group described in an open letter to North as In his positive assessment of Bentsen, Professor James K. Galbraith's praise of "someone who has never let principle stand Galbraith fails to notice that he is describ- Lloyd Bentsen might be easier to take if in the way of opportunity." Could North have ing a good team player, but not someone Bentsen would call an Austin press met his match? who would make an acceptable leader for conference and say, "When I defeated Ralh The irony of the North appearance was that the Democratic party. Yarborough, my campaign staff reflected Hance was upstaged, much as he is being Lloyd Bentsen could not possibly have adversely on Mr. Yarborough's love of upstaged by likely GOP nominee Clayton become a major contender for the Demo- country. It was the wrong thing to do and I Williams. Williams has used millions of his cratic nomination on his own. He tried a apologize for it." own dollars to buy name identification and few years ago and dropped out early. The Until that apology is made, Professor broad appeal. A political newcomer, he has Lloyd Bentsen that Americans like ran on Galbraith would do well to mind his own won the respect of seasoned politicos who Dukakis's agenda, not his own. business. acknowledge the candidate's skill at creating Lloyd Bentsen was being praised by an image. The Midland rancher and million- both sides in 1988's election. The Demo- Maury Maverick, Jr. aire is, as always, eager to discover new crats wanted to demonstrate Dukakis's San Antonio forms of self-promotion. He recently en- competence in picking qualified people; listed Jessica McClure to assist in fund-rais- the Republicans tried to deal with their ing efforts. Hance is a dull candidate. Sitting Quayle problem by suggesting that the next to the crafty, bright-eyed North, Hance Democratic vice-presidential nominee was Write Dialogue: seemed like an unpopular schoolboy anxious better than their presidential nominee. to befriend the class bigshot to enhance his With praise coming from both sides, it is The Texas Observer status among classmates. Williams has a not surprising that many Americans ended 307 West 7th St. political personality to sell. Kent Hance up liking Lloyd Bentsen. Lloyd Bentsen Austin, Texas 78701 doesn't know how to buy one. ❑ will not be the recipient of that kind of THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 23 postmaster: If undeliverable. send Form 3579 to The Texas Observer. P. 0. Box 49019. Austin. Texas 78765

ANDERSON & COMPANY COFFEE TEA SPICES TWO JEFFERSON tMTARE AUSTIN, TEXAS 7W731 1512 453-15:33 complete personal and business insurance Send me your list.

ALICE ANDERSON AGENCY Name 808-A East 46th P.O. Box 4666. Austin 78765 Street (512) 459-6577 City Zip

CLASSIFIED

bership around consumer and environ- SERVICES CLASSIFIED RATES: Minimum ten words. One time, 50 cents per word; three times,45 mental issues through door-to-door canvasses needs experienced individ- DALLAS-AREA individuals, small busi- cents per word; six times, 40 cents per word; 12 times, 35 cents per word; 25 times, 30 cents per word. Telephone and box numbers count as two words; abbreviations and zip codes as ual with strong skills in financial and ad- nesses, nonprofits — progressive, con- ministrative management, fund raising scientious CPA seeks new accounts. Har- one. Payment must accompany order forall classified ads. Deadline is three weeks before cover date. Address orders and inquiries to Advertising Director, The Texas Observer, 307 and policy development. (512) 478- vey L Davis CPA, (214) 821-1968. 7887. West 7th, Austin, TX 78701. (512) 477-0746. LOW-COST MICROCOMPUTER ASSIS- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The Institute for TANCE. Tape to diskette conversion, Southern Studies supports regional statistical analysis, help with setting up grassroots organizing, sponsoring re- Take a breather — Come to the moun- clothing, and household items are wel- special projects, custom programming, search projects and publishing SOUTH- tains! Call or write for free brochure: needs assessment. Gary Lundquest, (512) come. Call (512) 385-5571. ERN EXPOSURE, its highly-acclaimed (501) 446-2293, HCR 72 Box 1358, 474-6882, 1405 West 6th, Austin, TX journal. The Director will have an excit- Parthenon, Ar 72666. FIGHT POLLUTION. Get paid for it. Clean 78703. ing opportunity to build on a tradition of Water Action. (512) 474-0605, Austin. Southern social activism. Program de- ORGANIZATIONS MARY NELLMATHIS, CPA, 17 years ex- velopment and foundation fund raising SICK OF KILLING? Join the Amnesty perience in tax, litigation support, and experience required. $22,000 +. Send LESBIAN/GAY DEMOCRATS of Texas International Campaign Against the other analyses. 400 West 15th, #304, resume, three references, to: Search — Our Voice in the Party. Membership Austin, 78701, (512) 477-1040. Death Penalty. Call: Austin (512) 443- Committee, ISS, P.O. Box 531, Dur- $15, P.O. Box 190933, Dallas, 75219. 7250, Houston (713) 852-7860, Dallas ham, NC 27702. (214) 739-8239, San Antonio (512) MERCHANDISE TEXAS TENANTS' UNION. Member- 680-2694. ship $18/year, $10/six months, $30 or PROYECTO LIBERTAD, a non-profit legal more/sponsor. Receive handbook on PUBLICATIONS FREEWHEELING BICYCLES. 2404 San services & advocacy organization lo- tenants' rights, newsletter, and more. Gabriel, Austin. For whatever your bi- cated in Rio Grande Valley (Texas) is 5405 East Grand, Dallas, TX 75223. HOME STUDY COURSE in economics. a cycle needs. looking for a staff attorney to represent 10-lesson study that will throw light on Central American refugees seeking re- BECOME A CARD-CARRYING MEM- baffling problems. Tuition free WATCH REPAiRS & BATTERIES. Band today's lief from deportation. Committed to rights BER of the ACLU. Membership $20. — small charge for materials. Write: repairs. 35th &Guadalupe, Austin, 452- of Central American asylum seekers. Texas Civil Liberties Union, 1611 E. 1st, 6312. Henry George Institute, 121 E. 30th St., Bilingual preferred. Salary negotiable. Austin, 78702. New York, NY 10016. Contact: Rogelio Nufiez, Proyecto Lib- TRAVEL ertad, 306 E. Jackson, Harlingen, TX DRAFT REGISTRATION QUESTIONS? INSIDE INFORMATION. Subscribe to 78550. (512) 425-9552. BACKPACKING — MOUNTAINEERING Draft counseling available from Ameri- Texas Weekly, largest Texas political —RAFTING. Outback Expeditions, P.O. can Friends Service Committee, 1022 newsletter. Sam Kinch, Jr., editor. Box 44, Terlingua, TX 79852. (915) W. 6th, Austin, 78703. (512) 474-2399. Straight, salty. $120 annually. P.O. Box PRO-CHOICE ORGANIZATION seeks a 371-2490. 5306, Austin, TX 78763. (512) 322- bilingual field manager to organize ac- CASA MARIANELLA, A SHORT-TERM 9332. tivities in Southwest Texas. Electoral and Getaway to . . . A CABIN IN THE WOODS SHELTER IN AUSTIN for refugees from political work helpful. Organizational . . . your very own mountain hideaway! oppression in Central America, needs EMPLOYMENT skills a must. Based in Austin, some Enjoy fine country accommodations deep volunteers for clerical tasks, tutoring, travel. For more information call TARAL in the Ozark Mts. Our CABIN is fully stocking and storing food and clothing, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Austin, Texas (512) 462 - 1661 or send resume to furnished and includes a screened in and legal and medical help. Financial Citizen Action, a state-wide organiza- TARAL, 905-D West Oltorf Street, Austin, porch, deck, sauna, and tennis court. contributions and donations of food, tion working to develop a strong mem- 78704.

24 • FEBRUARY 23, 1990