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Wednesday, March22, 2017 |HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com |Vol. 116,No. 160|$2.00 xx Partly cloudy: High 84,Low 64

BUSINESS GOPfaces narrowpathonhealth carebill Stocks Manylawmakersremain on fence rank­and­file Republicans dozen Texans remain un­ makers. Buthesaid they from Texasand acrossthe committed, not counting still have work to do.“They have their as plan drawsfire from both sides nation face adecision about Tyler Republican Louie justhavetoput repeal of whether to sign on to their Gohmert, an outspoken the regulatoryauthorityin worstday By Kevin Diaz providing the firstcrucial partyleaders’ gradual ap­ member of the conserva­ the bill and I’m there.” and Bill Lambrecht legislative testfor Presi­ proach,orholdout for afull tive FreedomCaucus who With TrumponCapi­ of theyear dent Donald Trumpand repeal of former President has beensharply criticalof tol Hill Tuesdaytrying to WA SHINGTON —For the GOP majority in both Barack Obama’s signature the bill. closethe deal —and report­ Stocksfell sharply Republicans in Congress, chambers. health care law. “I’mnot ahard no,” edlyleaning on Republican Tuesdayasinvestors it’s crunchtimeonObama­ Facing withering criti­ Asurveyofthe Lone Gohmert said Tuesday holdouts—somelawmak­ worriedthat care replacementlegisla­ cism from hard­right Star State’sHouseGOP after House leaders put ers from Texas kept their President Donald tion, whichcould come to conservativegroupslike delegationonTuesday in 11th­hour sweeteners heads loworremainedun­ Trump will struggleto avote as early as Thursday, Heritage Action, some suggests thatatleastahalf­ to entice recalcitrantlaw­ Health continuesonA15 deliver promised tax cuts thatpropelled the marketsto record highs in recent months. PageB1 Gorsuchpromises Man, 35, accused LEGISLATURE independence on bench of serial assaults

10 girlsmolested near schoolsin Harris Countyand northeastHouston SanAntonioExpress-News Sen. Paul Betten- By Andrew Kragie court, R-Houston, and CindyGeorge is author of thebill. At the start of winter Propertytax break,Scroggins Elemen­ bill advances tarysentaletter to parents to the House warning of an “unidenti­ Afeudgrows fied man”who accosted betweenstate and a student Dec. 15 near the localofficialsas school’s northeastHous­ the TexasSenate ton campus. approvesaplan Just blocks away the designedtoslow same day,anothergirl the increase of local wasassaulted in much the propertytaxes. same way, by aman who Page A3 PabloMartinezMonsivais /AssociatedPress walked up behind her and In an emphatic and folksy style, JudgeNeil Gorsuch stressed his independence and defended the groped her throughher WORLD integrity of thefederal judiciary Tuesdayatthe Senate hearings on his Supreme Court nomination. clothes. That’s Terror concerns when ledtoairline By Adam Liptak hadruledagainstthe administra­ would be unfair to futurelitigants Houston laptop curbs and Matt Flegenheimer tion. forhim toannounce his views on police real­ U.S. and British NEWYORK TIMES “When anyone criticizes the issues thatcould come before the ized they officialssay the honesty or integrity or motives court. mightbe decision to bar WA SHINGTON —Judge of afederal judge,”Gorsuchsaid, Gorsuch’s stylewas folksy, looking for laptopsfromthe Neil Gorsuch, PresidentDonald “I find thatdisheartening and de­ earnest, learned and emphatic, aserial of­ Ayala cabins of some Trump’s Supreme Court nomi­ moralizing.” and he easily dodged questions fender,a international flights nee,soughttoassure the Senate Askedifthatgeneral statement from members of the Senate Judi­ predator targetinggirls wasn’t based on any and the nation at hisconfirmation applied to Trump, Gorsuchsaid, ciaryCommittee thathewas not walking to and from specific threatbut hearingonTuesdaythathewould “A nyone is anyone.” inclined to answer. Buthespoke school. on long-standing be afair­mindedand independent By turns expansive and eva­ forcefullyabout hisdevotion to “Wejumpedonit,” Of­ concerns about justice.Hesaid he would not hes­ sive,Gorsuchdiscussedlegal the rule of law. ficerMarcos Betancourt terrorists. Page A8 itatetorule againstTrump if the doctrines at length, but refused to HisexchangeswithDemo­ said. lawrequired it,and he repeated take positions on specific issues. cratic senators were sometimes At first,police hadlittle NATION his earlier private criticismof He asserted, as have previous tense and testy. Ye t through to go on, unaware of other Trump’s attacks on judges who Supreme Court nominees, thatit GorsuchcontinuesonA14 attacks justoutsidethe city Trump signs limits. NASA bill aimed Democratic Then on Jan. 23, an­ at Marsmission senators such as other girlreported an at­ President Donald Minnesota’s Al tack, this one more brazen. Trump signs a Franken, left, Less thanamile from the sweeping NASA tried to crank up December assaults, aman policybill,reinforcing theheatagainst tried to stuff a7­year­old the spaceagency’s Gorsuch,while girl into the back seatof commitment to GOP senators his sedan, releasing her human space such as Texas’ onlywhen her 9­year­old exploration and a John Cornyn brother screamed. long-term trajectory used questions On Tuesday, Houston to Mars. Page A8 to insulate the police announced they had nominee from arrested asuspect believed criticism. GirlscontinuesonA14 CITY |STATE PabloMartinezMonsivais /AP SusanWalsh /AP City bikeplan readybut faces oldconcerns Newstudentpresidentpushes barriers at A&M Amasterplanto guide development of high-qualitytrails Gayjunior is elected cialissues. He soon decided to run is headed toward to leadall Aggies as studentbody approval but remains to lead at traditionally president. dogged by the same conservativecampus Andthenhewon. issuesthatdivided Brooks, 21, learned thismonth neighborsascyclists By LindsayEllis that he will serve as Texas A&M’s claimedspace on next student president — the first the roadways. COLLEGESTATION —Bobby timeanopenly gaystudentwillhold Page A3 Brooksleaned overand kissed the officeatthe traditionally conser­ his date,anAggie tradition,when vative university. Texas A&MUniversityscored a “I believe in everyhuman’s capa­ touchdownlastThanksgiving. bilitytochangethe world,” he said It wasthe first time Brooks,who Monday,“and Idecided it wasmy is gay, felt comfortablejoininginthe time totry that.” ritualatthe renowned Kyle Field. Ajunior fromBelton studying ForBrooks, the momentwas economicsand French,Brooksac­ an importantsteptointegrating knowledges thathis electionisa Chroniclefile his identity as agay manand as an milestone for A&M. Here,students Bicyclists enjoya A&Mstudentonacampus better wear pressed Corps of Cadets uni­ BrettCoomer /Houston Chronicle BraysBayou trail. known for itsloveoftradition than forms and colorful sorority and TexasA&M studentbodypresident BobbyBrooks, whowas born for itsembraceofprogressive so­ Reaction continuesonA15 in Houston, said he came outduringhis freshman year.

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Prominent Methodistsurgeon 2. is victim of appar- ent murder-suicide Herstar wasstill rising,one of onlyahandful of black female surgeons in the na­ tion, when shedied over the weekend. Read it: HoustonChronicle.com/ surgeon

In acitywhere bigger is better, 3. canHoustonbuild astartup scene? In acitywithmore than two­dozen Fortune 500 companies, whybother to foster small techcompanies? Read it: HoustonChronicle.com/ techstartup

Michael Ciaglo /HoustonChronicle Texasrockers ZZ Topkept theRodeoHoustoncrowd energized withwailingguitars, sparklingblazersand gravelly sounds. THECOURT Explorerulingsbyall of By Joey Guerra cheers. theU.S.SupremeCourt Nightdominatedbyseriouslyfine “Wegotta do this one for you justices andsee howthey ZZ Topreturned Tuesdayto tonight,” Gibbons said before relate to each other at RodeoHouston after afive­year launching into “Sharp Dressed HoustonChronicle.com/ absence. And it was as if the little steelguitarwork,fascinatingbeards Man.” The’80s hitenergized the SCOTUS ol’band from Texas neverleft. entire stadiumand wasfollowed Theguitars wailed. The by agrimy“Legs,” another MTV drums pounded. Thebeards before launching into itsown ously fine steel guitar work. staple. flew proudly. It was quintes­ tunes: “Waitin’for the Bus,” “Je­ Gibbons made simple, obvi­ Theguitars continued to sential ZZ Top, complete with susJustLeftChicago,” “Gimme ous stagebanter thatseemed to squeal through“La Grange” AHearstnewspaper sunglasses and sparkling blaz­ All Yo ur Lovin’,” “I’mBad,I’m delight fans. He changed “My and “Tush.” Thecrowd chanted Subscriber Services ers, for acrowd of 59,142. Nationwide.” Head’sinMississippi”to“My everyword. Forsubscription changes, billing The setlist, however, got a bit BillyGibbons’ dugdeepinto Head’sinHouston, Texas.” He And the beards seemed to get inquiries, and deliveryissues of aswitchupfrom recenttour his gravellysoul for takes on introduced “CheapSunglasses” longer. Phone: 713-362-7211 or 888-220-7211 M-F5:30am-5:00pm dates. Thetrio kickedoffits sixth MerleTravis’ “Sixteen Tons” and with the quip,“Those lightsare Sa-Su7:30am-11:00am time onstage with akitschy cover JohnnyCash’s“Folsom Prison getting bright.” [email protected] Website: www.houstonchronicle.com/ of Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” Blues.” Thelatter boasted seri­ Thecrowd respondedwith twitter.com/joeyguerra subscribe Subscription offers: 1Monday-Sunday: $14aweek 1Wednesday-Sunday: $10 aweek 1Wednesday&Sunday:$6.50 a week 1SundayOnly: $5.50 aweek My boy. Texas. And the sheep. 1Unlimited Digital Access: $5 aweek

Above subscriptions include 24/7 KidbecomesaTexan ably made himthatway. access to HoustonChronicle.com, Aboy aheadofhiminlinestarted news and exclusivestories, immedi- ateiPad@ app availabilityand the afterconquering cryingwhenavolunteer readied eNewspaper. aquirkyrodeotradition him for hisride. Hisdad called to him from behind therail: “You said Forinformation about amailed subscription please contact Customer youwanted to do this, buddy.” Service. By Mike Hixenbaugh Now that he’d seen the sheep up close,theboyhadchangedhismind. Prices aresubject to change. When apriceorfrequency change Tenmonthsago,whenImoved And nowitwas Ezra’sturn. occurs, the expiration dateonyour my familyacross the countryfor Avolunteer helped him to his account willbeadjusted. Your ajob at the Houston Chronicle,an feet and askedifhe wasexcited. He subscription includes deliveryofthe following premium editions which editorat thenewspapertriedtoease nodded,thenlookedbackat meand willbechargedatthe published my Midwestern misgivingsabout gave athumbs­up. Sunday-onlyrate: October 23, 2016, lifeinTexas. Amomentlater,anannouncer November 24,2016,December 25, Houston is cosmopolitan, she introducedhim, while another vol­ 2016 and November 23, 2017. All newsubscriptions willbecharged said. Thewholeurban cowboy unteer lifted him up to his sheep. aone-time $3.95 set-up fee. Due thing isn’t reality,she said. “He’sloadedinthechute,hastwo to processing costs, balances under Then came the caveat: Children handfuls, those heels aretucked,” $5.00 willnot be refunded. here,she said ...they climbonthe MikeHixenbaugh/HoustonChronicle anannouncersaid,andthen,“Here Postmaster backs of sheep at therodeo.They put At theHoustonLivestock Show andRodeo, EzraHixenbaugh, we go!” Send address changes to TheHouston on helmets and padded vestsand 6, prepares to participate in Mutton Bustin’, aTexastradition Theridelasted justunder 2sec­ Chronicle, 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027. Periodicalspost- cling to wool as the animals romp wherechildrenpad up,mountasheep andhangonfor dear life. onds. After traveling 25feet or so, agepaidatHouston, Texas. aroundindirt.It’s theweirdest thing, Ezralet go and tumbledtothe dirt. TheHouston Chronicle(USPS 807- but Houston kids love it. tennisshoes, held tight to my hand. “Remember,justholdonforyour Quickly,hestood up andturned to 680) is published dailybythe Houston Shepredicted mine would, too. “You’resure youwanttodo lives,” amom shouted to her girls. the crowd. ChroniclePublishing Co. Ididn’t think he would. this?”Iasked. An announcer started revving Theson of twocity­dwelling Reader Representative Ezra, 6, is theoldestofthree kids Another silentnod. up thecrowd. Midwesterners faced the rodeo Forcomments on the Houston Chronicle’scoverage,standards and by farour mostcautious. I After signing himup, Iwalked Ezra satback on the bench and crowd and liftedhis handsabove and accuracy showedhimavideoofMuttonBustin’ him down to the endoftentwhere closed his eyes. his headintriumph. Phone: 713-362-6303 the night before our firstfamilyvisit the sheepwereclustered. . Parents tend to holdontighter He hadn’t wonthe contest, not Email: [email protected] tothe Houston LivestockShowand Just then, one of the sheep to the firstchild.We’dspenthours even close. Buthe’dtried. And my Fax: 713-362-6373 Mail: Reader Representative, Rodeoand askedhim if he wanted to buckedaggressively.Ilookeddown baby­proofingbeforeEzrawasborn editor wasright:Hesaid he loved Houston Chronicle4747Southwest give it atry.Hestuckout his tongue, at my son. and comforted him after anyfall. both seconds of it. Freeway, Houston, TX 77027 closedhiseyesandnoddedsilently. Hewasn’tcrying, hetoldme.He’d If he’s the careful child, we prob­ Iguess that makeshim aTexan. Copyright 2017Houston ChronicleCo. Ilooked at my wife,then back at justgotten something in his eye. him.“OK,buddy, we’llgive itashot.” Ihanded his registration form to ChronicleAdvertising ButIknewhewouldn’t. avolunteer.She escorted him into Mike Hixenbaughspent theweek at RodeoHouston, where he wroteabout Classified...... 713-224-6868 Display Advertising...... 713-362-3565 By 10 a.m. the next morning,a thecorralwheretheyoutfitthechil­ ateenager buying his first pair of boots, ashoe shiner trying to keep his Outside Harris County...... 800-735-3815 line stretchedoutsidethe Mutton drenwithhelmetsand vests. dyingcraft aliveand avolunteerwho comforts Mutton Bustin’ kids when Bustin’tent. Boys in cowboy boots Theboy next to Ezra wasswal­ theyreturnfrom their rides in tears.This washis first rodeo. Other ChronicleDepartments and girls in sparklypink hats stood lowing hard, trying to keep it to­ CityDesk...... 713-362-7491 Sports...... 713-362-7891 with theirparents. Ezra, wearing gether. Seevideo of Ezra’s ride at houstonchronicle.com/graymatters. ChronicleinEducation ...... 713-362-7904 xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A3 CITY | STATE

AROUND THE AREA AND STATE Mancharged Senate OKsproperty tax bill over tweetthat caused seizure Opponents promise push to modify slow steadily­rising prop­ ›› Abbott suggests passing a of the bill. “This will save Theman accused erty taxes by mandating an statelaw thatpre-empts local future money for hard­ of sendingaseizure­ measurethatfurther limitsratehikes automatic election to allow regulations. Page A4 pressed homeowners and inducing tweet to taxpayers to decide anyrate businessowners.” Dallas­based journalist By Mike Ward that cities, counties and hike of more than5percent. While conservative and Kurt Eichenwald has schooldistricts saywill im­ Underexisting statelaw, to give taxpayers more say tax­reformgroupscheered nowbeen indicted in AUSTIN —Agrowing pair their ability to payfor 8percentisthe maximum overtheirrising appraisals Tuesday’svote, local offi­ Dallas County. warbetween stateand lo­ keyservices. allowedbefore taxpayers and thetaxingprocess. cials and other opponents John Rayne Rivello, cal officials overcurbing By an 18­12 vote,mostly can petition for arollback “Property taxes are ris­ immediatelypromised an 29,ischargedwithone skyrocketing property­tax along partylines, theRe­ election. ing too fast.That’safact,” all­outpushtosignificant­ countofaggravated bills statewidemovedtothe publican­controlled Sen­ Thebill also would sim­ said Sen. Paul Bettencourt, ly modify it in the House, assault with adeadly Texas House on Tuesday, ateapprovedSenate Bill 2 plify the tax­appraisal pro­ aHouston Republican and where asimilar bill is pend­ weapon. Thecharge after the Senate approveda thatsupporters champion cess and changeothersec­ former Harris County tax ing with what lookstobe also carries ahate­ controversial reform plan as amuch­needed braketo tions of the lawostensibly appraiser whoisthe author Bill continuesonA6 crime enhancement. Rivello,ofSalisbury, Md., wasbooked into the Dallas County Jail on Mondaynight and released around 2a.m. Tuesdayafter posting bond. Eichenwald, asenior writer at Newsweek and acontributing editor at Vanity Fair, said in December that someone hadtweeted aflashing animated image at him thathad induced an eight­min­ ute epileptic seizure. Thetweet came not long after Eichenwald hadargued with Tuck­ er Carlson on Carlson’s FoxNews show. Educational savings account hearings begin AUSTIN —A Texas Senate com­ mittee kickedoffits firstround of hearings Tuesdayonacontro­ versial measure that would give public funds to parents who want to enroll their children in private schools or public char­ ter schools —anidea thatfaces stiff biparti­ Jon Shapley /HoustonChronicle san opposition in the Acyclist rides TuesdayalongBuffalo Bayounear downtown. The bikeplan aims to expand thecity’s 221 miles of off-streettrails to 668 miles. House. Senate Bill 3, au­ thored by Republican Sen. LarryTaylor of Oldconcerns still trail city bikeplan Friendswood, would establisheducational savingsaccounts and City poised to approve commitment cil, cementing Houston’s U.S. cities, (New Yo rk City, worrythe city is promis­ tax creditscholarships desiretoconsidercyclists LosAngelesand Chicago) ingmorethan necessary parents could use to triplelane mileage over20years in future road planning have currentbikeplans to appeaseavocal cadre of for items likeprivate where on­street lanesand and funding mechanisms,” cyclists with plan thatcould school tuition, educa­ By DugBegley the same issues thatdi­ off­street trailscan connect said John Long,executive re­ignite community con­ tional software and tu­ vided neighbors as cyclists to abigger, better network directorofBikeHouston, flicts and costfar morethan toring for home school An updated bikemaster claimed space on theroad­ for riders. in a statement. “Passing the$552million maximum students. plantoguide development ways. Advocates of the plansay the Houston BikePlan, our the planenvisions spend­ Senators did not vote of high­quality trails acces­ Thecomprehensive city­ that’sabsolutelycriticalto first planin20­plusyears, ing over the next20years. on SB 3. siblebyallHoustoniansis wideplan is expected to serve agrowing number of isthe firststep of catching “I think thereisaneed headedtoward approval be approvedWednesday cyclists in the area. up.” for abikeplanthatgives Police chase but remains dogged by morning by theCityCoun­ “A ll three of the largest Skeptics, however, Bike continuesonA4 ends withcrash as driverflees Adriverison the Suntostick around awhile runafter apolice IkeDike chase throughNorth Houston ended with a concept crashed car and aflat­ tened fire hydrantearly Tuesdaymorning. gets abig Theaction began shortlyafter midnight backer when aHouston police officer spotted astolen car on West Mount George P. Bush Houston Road near the North Freeway. lends support to Theofficer tried to stop storm-surge wall the car,but the driver refused. He veered onto By Harvey Rice the North Freewayand headednorth for about GALVESTON —Texas 7miles. LandCommissionerGeorge Thedriverexited the P. Bushhas emergedasthe freewaynear Richey long­awaited champion for Road andheadedsouth what supporters sayisa on Ella Boulevard. He much­needed storm­surge hitanother car,causing barrier for the Texas Gulf minor damage and no Coast. injuries. Advocates of the“Ike Just pastthe inter­ Dike” concept have longed section of Ella and Elizabeth Conley /HoustonChronicle bemoaned Kuykendahl Road,the Abeachgoer takes shelter from themiddaysun TuesdayinGalveston.The rest of theweekalso should the lack of a driverjumped out of providegood beachweather withhighs in thelow to mid-80s. Achance of rain creeps in Saturday. prominent his car. stateofficial Thecar kept roll­ to cham­ ing and toppled afire pion con­ hydrant. struction From staff andwirereports Authorities probe Waller jail assault of acostal barrier that Bush Commission to look intocomplaint In the sexualassault theageof18,Davissaid. could pro­ case,the male inmate was TheTexas Rangers and tect Galveston Island and LISAFALKENBERG at lockup known forBland’s death performingduties typi­ the Waller County District the BolivarPeninsula from Hercolumn will run callyassigned to inmates Attorney’sOffice are moni­ astorm surgelikethe dev­ Thursday. By MargaretKadifa TheTexas Commission whohavetrustystatus, but toring theprobe,Davis astating one generated by on Jail Standards will also the inmate hadnot been said. Hurricane Ikein2008. TheWaller County investigateforpossiblepro­ designated as atrusty, said TheWaller County Jail In an interviewwiththe Sheriff’s Office is investi­ cedural violations at the fa­ CraigDavis,chiefdeputyat alertedthe TexasCom­ Houston Chronicle, Bush gating acomplaintlodged cility,which drewnational the Waller County Sheriff’s mission on Jail Standards said astorm­surge barrier by afemaleinmate thatshe attentionin2015whenSan­ Office. about the complaint, is needed to protect one of wassexuallyassaulted by a dra Bland hanged herself Thosedutiesinclude saidDiana Spiller, are­ the largest concentrations male inmate working at the there after being arrested cleaningthejail,hesaid. searchspecialistatthe of petroleum refiningand jail,officialssaidTuesday. duringatrafficstop. Both inmates were over Jail continuesonA4 Bush continuesonA4 A4 | Wednesday, March22, 2017 | HoustonChronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xx

CITY | STATE Editor, [email protected]• @TonyFreemantle Houston Chronicle Abbott urgeslaw to restrict local regulations

Supportersciteeconomic freedom; searchInstitute They were cause the Abbott is absolutelycor­ Texas GOP to restrict local first reported by theTexas bill filing rect in calling for broad­ regulations as hypocritical. opponentsclaim stateoverreach Tribune.The Houston deadline based reforms to the kinds Conservativesinthe state Chronicle receivedanau­ has passed of economic regulations often rail againstwhatthey By Brian M. Rosenthal Abbott saidatanevent dio recording of the event. —nosuch thatlocal governments can call “federal government hosted by a think tank in Hiscomments come at a proposal impose.” overreach”but then do Gov. Greg Abbott sug­ Corpus Christi. time when statelawmak­ will be this Liberals condemnedthe theirown overreach at the gested Tuesdayitwould He addedthatsuchalaw ers have found themselves Abbott session. remarks,sayingthey re­ statelevel, critics contend. be good for the Texas Leg­ would be “more simple, involved in fightsoverlo­ However, vealed an inappropriate de­ Abbott also responded islature to passabroad more elegant, but more im­ cal regulations in relation the comments offer apo­ sire by the governor to take to thatargumentTuesday. lawsayingthatstate rules portantly, providesgreater to everything from frack­ tential path for the future. overeverything in the state. “Economic freedom in always pre­emptlocal advance noticetobusi­ ing and so­called “sanctu­ Thecomments drew “Will local governments this countryrests notwith regulations. nesses and to individuals arycities” toride­sharing support from conserva­ then be but agencies of the the federalgovernment, “A sopposed to the state that you’re going to have companies and bathroom tives, including the Texas stateunder Abbott’stotal not with stategovern­ having to takemultiple the certainty to runyour access.Regulationsand Public Policy Foundation, control?” Glenn Smith, ment, not with local gov­ rifle­shot approaches at lives.” ordinances on those top­ athink tank. with Progress Texas,a ernment,” he said. “Ifyou overriding localregula­ ics have beenimplemented “The greatestthreats to liberaladvocacy group, reallywanttotalk about tions, Ithink abroad­ Toolate forthis session by Texas cities, sparking libertyand propertyrights posted on Twitter.“Local local control, youreduceit based lawbythe stateof Abbott’s comments frustration among conser­ are happening at thelocal voters be damned?” to the lowest commonde­ Texas thatsaysacross the were delivered during vativesatthestate level. level,” said James Quin­ nominator and thatisthe board, the stateisgoing to an question­and­answer No “broad­basedlaw” tero,director of the foun­ Governor’s defense individual.” pre­empt local regulations, eventhosted by the Texas hasbeenintroducedin dation’s Center for Local Critics also have as­ is asuperior approach,” Conservative Coalition Re­ the Legislature,and —be­ Governance. “Governor sailed the pushbythe [email protected] Jail has Stockman hearing postponed afterattorneydiscrepancy failed prior checks

Jail from page A3 commission. In theBlandcase,afor­ merjailguard admitted to falsifying jail records to in­ dicate that he hadchecked Bland’s cell the morning before her death, when he hadnot.AfterBland’s death, the jail agreed to imple­ mentsafeguards,including streamliningcellchecks and GodofredoA.Vasquezphotos/HoustonChronicle adding video appointments Former U.S. Rep. Stephen Stockman —facingafederal charge of misdirectingcharitable donations into his personal spendingand withadoctor. political campaign —appeared in aHoustonfederal courtroom Tuesdaymorning,onlytohavethe matter of choosinghis attorney TheWaller County Jail postponed. Stockman satinthe gallery of U.S. Magistrate JudgeStephen Smith, polishinghis glasses on his tie as threeshackled also failed aDec.12inspec­ defendants appearedbefore thejudge.The judge said alawyerhad contacted thecourt to express interest in takingthe case,but tion by the Texas Commis­ Stockman said he had also talked to twoother lawyersand had not yetsettled on alawyer. Smithresetthe hearingfor Friday. sion on Jail Standards, ac­ cording to statedocuments. Thejail failed to followstan­ dardsregarding fire and Bush’s jobmakes him ideal champion for plan emergency drills training and regarding due process Bush from page A3 nomic Partnership. “We’ve three times the population Dikesupporter,said Bush’s involved in storm­surge forinmates chargedwitha made more progress inthe and we estimate fivetimes advocacy is an important protection issues. Robin­ jail violation. Jail staff also petrochemicalprocessing last eight months than we the economic impact,” Bush development. “Itmobilizes son said the city lacks the did not documentthatin­ plantsinthecountry, aswell made in the lasteight and a said. “Wethink it’s sensible alevelofsupportthatwasn’t expertiseand resources to mates were getting the re­ as tens of thousands homes half years.” policy for the national gov­ there beforeand it mobi­ leadthe wayinstorm­surge quired three hours of recre­ thatarevulnerabletoanIke­ Among the accomplish­ ernmenttobeafinancial lizes it in averydirect way,” protection and is bowing ationperweek. likestorm surge, he said. ments are abill finallybeing partner.” Kempner said. to the surgedistrict and re­ Thejail has since moved “Itisunacceptable policy put before the Legislature; a He is embracingastudy Bush said he would be searchers at Rice Universi­ back intocompliance,Spill­ to wait for the next storm,” bill passed thatwas spear­ by thesix­countyGulfCoast working in the Legislature ty’sSever Storm Prediction ersaid. before taking action, Bush headedbyU.S.Sen.John CommunityCoastalProtec­ with Sen. Larry Taylor, R­ Education and Evacuation Statelaw requires male said. Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Ran­ tion and Recovery District, Friendswood, whohas filed from Disasters, as well as and female inmates to be In additiontomaking dy Weber,R­Friendswood, known as the surgedistrict, aresolution expressing the Texas A&M University at kept out of sight and sound public statements support­ to speed theU.S.Army thatrecommended the Legislature’s support for Galveston’s TexasCenterfor from each other unless su­ ing the structures, he said Corps of Engineers storm­ IkeDiketoprotect Galves­ the IkeDikethathas not yet Beaches and Shores. pervised, Spiller said. That his office is in contact with surgeprotection study; and ton, Harris and Chambers come for avote. Harris County JudgeEd applies even for inmates keycongressional commit­ the storm­surge district’s counties, as well as asystem Emmett saidthe county performingtrustyduties. tees and is seeking ameet­ recommendation of project of barriers to protect Bra­ City,county support supported the surge dis­ As of Tuesdaymorn­ ing with the White House embracing the IkeDike. zoria, Jefferson and Orange Bush’s leadership comes trict’srecommendation, but ing,the Waller County Jail to makesure thatthe esti­ counties. in the absenceofstrong it wasinappropriate for the housed 73 inmates, four of mated $12billionneeded for ‘Sensible policy’ Bush’s outspoken sup­ vocal support for astorm­ county to throw its support whom were women,Davis thesix­countystormbarrier TheCorpsofEngineers port has encouragedad­ surge plan from officials behind aplan until more said. system is highonalistof isscheduled to have apre­ vocates who have been in Houstonand Harris studies are complete. There isnoprogram for projects for PresidentDon­ liminary recommendation working to makeitareality County, although Mayor Bush,asheadoftheagen­ women in the jail to gain aldTrump’s $1 trillioncapi­ in June next year. since Texas A&MUniver­ Sylvester Turner has signed cy chargedwithprotecting trustystatus,hesaid. tal improvements initiative. Thelandcommissioner sityGalvestonprofessorBill astatementsupporting the Texas coasts, is more prop­ Thedistrictattorney’s Bush is “the firstperson pointed out thatmore than Merrell proposed the idea IkeDike. erly positioned to pushfor a office declined further whohas showntruelead­ $17.5billioninfederalmoney more than eight years ago. “The twogorillas in the storm­surgesolution, Em­ comment. ership and real concern wasspentafter Hurricane Harris“Shrub”Kempner room are the county and the mett said. about protecting the coast,” Katrinastruck NewOrleans of Galveston, owner of city,” said Houston Council­ [email protected] BobMitchell, president of in 2005 to protect the city Kempner Capital Manage­ manDavidRobinson,oneof [email protected] twitter.com/margaretkadifa the BayArea Houston Eco­ from storm surge. “Wehave mentand an influential Ike the councilmembers most twitter.com/harveyricechron Bikeplan skeptics question route locations, funding

Bike from page A3 Paso and TheWoodlands, plans conflictwithresident along Loop 610,notably among others, receiving opposition. aroundthe Texas Medical youasafe plan to ride bronze status. Proposedbikelanes Centerand Rice University, bikes,” saidDistrict G To improve Houston’s along Kirkwood,for exam­ the central businessdistrict Councilman Greg Travis, lot, supporters and city ple,continue to drawstrong and Montrose. one of fivecouncilmen who planners said the area oppositionfrom residents. In thoseareas, wherebi­ delayedpassage of theplan needs high­comfort bike Theplan,part of ReBuild cyclingismore prevalent, by tagging it on March9. lanes wherepeople feel safe Houston, calls for widening Travis said bike lanes could “I’mnot sure this is the riding. the street, therebynarrow­ be amuchmore important planfor Houston. We’renot Thecityhas an extensive ing atree­lined median. function of future streets. Amsterdam or SanFran­ trail system popular with “They are losingtheir “One size justdoes not cisco,and we don’tknow riders, but it does not cover trees, and they’drather fit all,” he said,noting that what’s needed here, really largeportions of where have thetreesthan have the Houston has manyneeds needed.” people live andworkin bicycle lanes,”Travissaid. and thoseshould notlose As with almost anyde­ Houston. Thestreet nowhas bike funding because of bike cisionrelated to bicycling, Thebikeplan plots lanes thatare 2feetwide— lanecosts. much of the criticism comes tripling the amount of farless than the 5­foot stan­ Skeptics have repeat­ down to priorities. off­street bike trails from dards for safety, not includ­ edlyquestioned whether “Weare in an economic 221 miles to 668 miles. ing a3­foot bufferbetween ReBuild Houston money shortfall, and we don’twant Much of thatrelies on trail Jon Shapley /HoustonChronicle automobiles and bikes. —specifically focused on to takelanes fromstreets connections along bayous AnthonyAlaniz adds his name to asymbolic bike drainage and streets — away and makeitabike and withinparks and elec­ lane during arallyTuesdayatCity Hall to show Disagreement shouldbediverted tobike lane,”saidAt­large Coun­ trical transmission util­ support forthe city’s proposed bikeplan. Travis said he fears an lanes. Supporters said cilman MichaelKubosh. ityeasements. On Tuesday, approvedbikeplan will al­ ReBuild money will not Supporters note the plan city andTexas Department Thebridge,when com­ 165miles of shared space lowthe city to force more be used to advancelanes, does not commitmoney but of Transportation officials pleted in aboutayear,will with cars alongHouston lanes into more parts of thoughseparatefunding identifies ideal locations for announced construction connectmorecommunities streets to connect good Houstonwhere they will could be used to addbicycle bikelanes as streets are would startsoononalong­ to theGreen Linelight rail places to ride. Thoseshared face opposition. Further, lanes to projects within Re­ widenedorrebuilt. awaited bridgespanning along Harrisburg, too,offi­ lanes—suchasalongFair­ he noted the city and cy­ Build. Brays Bayou. cials said. view—offer little buffer cling supporterslack qual­ Inaction,advocates said, Balancing interests “This is abig step in Those connectionsare between cyclists and auto­ itydatashowing more bike hasleft cyclists vulnerable, Developed and modified buildingcomplete com­ key. Without them, advo­ mobiles. lanes are apriorityfor most left to aharrowing ride overnearly18months, the munities,” MayorSylves­ cates said the onlypeople “It’sliketaking your life people. along some major streets. plansetsagoal of making ter Turnersaid,noting riding —especiallyinnon­ in your hands,” said Steven About 0.5percentof “Reallythis is about us Houston agold­level city the crossing helps connect ideal conditions —are com­ Mulligan, 29, wholives in Houstonianscommute to having avision tolook for based onscoring by the neighborhoods northand mitted, confidentcyclists. Midtownand ridesdailyto work by bicycle,accord­ and coming togethertoget League of American Bicy­ southofthe bayou on the Leisure riders and others his jobnearLoop 610 and ing to U.S. CensusBureau it,” saidBikeHouston advo­ clists. In Texas,onlyAustin eastsidethatwere often are left out. Richmond. data usedinthe bike plan. cacy directorMaryBlitzer. has been awarded agold cut off from thecity’strail Core riders, meanwhile, Plans for bikelanes in Most of thosecommuters ratingbythegroup, with improvements overthe last saidthe currentnetworkof some places, however, have areconcentrated indense [email protected] Houston, San Antonio,El decade. 495 miles reliesheavily on receivedpush­back as city neighborhoods within or twitter.com/DugBegley xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A5

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By Brian Rogers Slayton, Bryant andsev­ and there’s organized criminal activ­ there wasnocriminal felonyamount, and faces a eral other people were ar­ peoplewho ityconcerning possession activity.” maximum punishmentof Houston rappers Paul rested during apoliceraid are going with intenttodeliver THC, Jones said some of the life in prisonifconvicted. Wall and Ronald “Baby of aChristmasparty at a throughthe the waxy extractfrom mar­ other people at theparty •Delgario Ramirez was Bash” Bryant on Tuesday Heights­area smokeshop same thing, ijuana. Possession of THC mayhavehad drugson indicted on possession of were cleared of drug charg­ hosting Slayton’s toydrive. fighting is afelonyinany amount them but therappers were THC, asecond­degreefelo­ es thatlanded them in jail Thefallout after the arrest these same underTexas law. Pros­ not part of anyconspiracy ny amount, and facesapos­ in December. includedaneviction notice Slayton battles day ecutors saidthe dismissal to sellTHC. sible sentence of 20 years in After the announcement forParadise SmokeShop in and day wasnot related to anew “Some people did have prison. by the Harris County Dis­ on Yale.The small busi­ out,” he said. “Don’tbeso program by the district at­ theirown personal weed or •Luis Amaya wasin­ trictAttorney’sOffice,Paul ness completed itsreloca­ quicktoturn your back torney’soffice to allowde­ whatever,” shesaid. “What dicted on possession of Wall, whosereal name tion earlier this week,and on peoplewho are fighting fendants to avoidcriminal I’msayingtoyou is that THC in an amountequal to is Paul Slayton, smiled Slayton held his news con­ things. Yo uneedtobethere chargesfor small amounts there wasnoorganized athird­degree felonyand broadlyshowing his trade­ ference infrontofawall of for them.” of marijuana. criminal activity.” faces 10 years in prison. marksilvergrill and said glass bongsatthe newloca­ Thejubilantwords At the news conference, •Thomas Wissing and thathewas ready to visit tion on Houston Avenue. came after aHarris County attorneysfor the tworap­ Five othersindicted PaigeCooper were indicted places where marijuana is grand jury found there was pers, Jolanda Jones and Thesame grand jury on possession with intent legal. Notenough evidence not enoughevidence to CarlMoore,said they were indicted fiveother people todeliverTHC, astate jail “I’mready to hop on the He said he plansonbe­ prosecute,effectively clear­ glad thegrand juryagreed whowere at the party for felonyamount. next flight to Denver right ing more careful in the ing the tworappers along thatthe chargeswere not possession of different Their cases remain now,”hesaid. “I go places future andthanked his with Homer Villareal, John appropriate. drugsinvarying amounts: pending. where it’s legal, and it’s supporters. Sanchez and Alfred Diller. “Itwas atremendous •Christopher Williams legal in 25 states —soIdo “I wasfacing life in jail Therappers hadbeen overcharge,”Jones said. wasindicted on possession [email protected] smokewhere it’s legal.” for something so minor, chargedwithengaging in “Ifyou look at the videos, of codeine,afirst­degree twitter.com/brianjrogers Misidentified man’s remains returned Body wasburied Clarkcould not swim, and the currents were before DNA tests strong thatday,saidPort confirmedhis ID Aransas Police Sgt. Mi­ chaelHannon, whoinves­ By Vianna Davila tigated the death. Reports SANANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS indicate Clarkgot toa pointinthe water where a Ayear and ahalf after he sand bar drops off,and he drowned while vacation­ wasswept away. ing with his familyonthe On July 18,afisherman Texas coast, PatrickClark spotted abodyinthe water finallycame home to San near Port Aransas’ North Antonio. Jetty —technically,in ClarkdiedJuly4,2015, Aransas County.The body in Port Aransas, after he wasbadly decomposed, wascaughtinarip current. and so neither the person’s Hisbodywashed ashore race nor gender could be twoweekslater. easilydetermined,Han­ While Clark’sfam­ non said. ilywas waiting for aposi­ By chance,PortAransas tive DNAmatch,his body police gotacall on July 20 wasburied in an Aransas from the Corpus Christi Mark Mulligan /HoustonChronicle County cemetery, mis­ Police Departmentabout identified as awhite female amissing woman lastseen Catching acattlenap and labeled as “Jane Doe,” in late May. That raised the Daylan Brooks, right,17, of La Vernia, takes abreak againstasteer named Luche at theHoustonLivestock meaning unknown. possibility the bodycould Show and RodeoatNRG CenteronTuesday. Daylan has been showingcattlefor 10 years. Thelong roadtochange be hers, Hannon said. Clark’sdeath certificate Because Aransas Coun­ and gethis remains ex­ ty has no medical exam­ humed ended Tuesday, iner’s office,officials there Manaccused of prostituting teens when he waslaid to rest sent the remains to Nueces at MeadowlawnMemorial County for an autopsy. Girlfriend helped if shewouldbeinterested treat I’msweet, warm, hot the girls chargedbetween Park on what would have In the meantime,DNA him recruit girls, in prostituting.When the and ready.I’m only one call $150 and $250,and thatDa­ been his 23rd birthday. samples were taken from studentsaid no,Davis said away.Ilove to please clean vis gave them unspecified “Wonderful 23rd birth­ Clark’s relatives but the authoritiesallege he knewprostitution was and unrushed servicescall drugsand collected half daygift,” said his mother, results didn’tcome back illegal but thathewould meletsplay. NOBLOCKED their money. Letisha ClarkKing. until April 14, 2016,Han­ By Shelby Webb keep her safe and out of CALL.Ipromise to leave Thevictims told their Theemotional funeral non said. trouble. youwanting more.Ialso parents they were going to concludedanagonizing 21 After learning the “Jane A20­year­old Pearland SpecialAgent Ryan Ar­ have asexyfriend!” the Houston rodeo when months for Clark’slarge Doe” in the Aransas Coun­ man has been arrested, ac­ thur with the Texas De­ Arthur wrote thatthe they were prostituting. San Antonio family. ty cemeterywas Clark’s cused of prostituting six partmentofPublic Safety language wasconsistent Davis told policethat “I feel relief thathe’s body, hisfamilyspental­ Alvin ISD highschoolstu­ tookonthecase and found with other prostitution the underage girls hadap­ here,” his mother said. “It most another year work­ dentsduring March2016, Davis’ girlfriend, aminor ads. Theagent also found proached him about want­ eased my heart alittle.” ing with various agencies according to federal court at the time,also allegedly apostonBackpage.com, a ing to prostitute and that WhyClark’s bodywas to getthe deathcertificate filings. The youngest vic­ tried to recruit other high well known hubfor prosti­ he justhelpedfacilitate the incorrectlyidentified is amended so he couldbe tims were 16 at thetime. schoolersfor the prostitu­ tution,thatfeatured photos hotel and rides. complicated and involves disinterred. Dihlon LeeDavis made tion ring. of twovictims and Davis’ If convicted,Davis will multiple government Hisbodywas exhumed his firstcourt appearance After authorities phone number. face at least 10 years in jail agencies, severallevels of on Monday,then trans­ Tuesdayonchargesofsex searched Davis’girlfriend’s Authorities were able to with the possibility of life bureaucracy and miles of ported to San Antonio. trafficking of minors, or by cellphone,they found a track Davis to the Super8 in prison. Davis wasar­ red tape. Themissing woman’s force,fraud or coercion. A text from Davis reading: Motel in LakeJackson by rested in 2015 in the theft Clarkwas in Port Aran­ whereabouts remain un­ criminal complaint asking “I’m saying but whatever geo­locatinghis girlfriend’s of afirearm and in 2014 on sas with his motherand known. for his arrestwas issued Iworktomorrowand (ju­ phone.Managers at the ho­ chargesofcriminal mis­ siblings, celebrating the March17. venileMC) wantstowork tel told investigatorsDavis chief resulting inlessthan Fourth of July weekend. [email protected] Theinvestigation began so imma work her down hadbookedrooms multiple $500 in damage. He was in April 2016 when astu­ here.” times during March2016 also arrested on twomis­ dent showedanAlvin ISD They also found photos and paid with cash. demeanorcharges in 2014. police officer ascreen shot on the girlfriend’s phone One victim told police Phone numbers listed of atext message conver­ of a then­16­year­old in shewentwithDavis and for Davis’ parents were dis­ % sation. At the top wasthe lingerie and anote that his girlfriendtothe Super8 connected. APY** name “Dillo Davis,” who read: “Do youhaveasweet multiple times with sev­ 1.30 askedanunknownstudent tooth? Well baby I’myour eralothergirls. Shesaid [email protected] Billtolimit hike in property taxrate grows state, local government feud GREAT Bill from page A3 nett Sandlin, the league’s tion of property taxes that nothing to makethis bill executive director. he saidare forcing some good in arural area.” He strong support. Adding fuel to the feud people from their homes, voted for it anyway. RATE “This dangerouspro­ between stateand local limiting business growth Sen.Kel Seliger,an posalisanaffronttothe interests Tuesday was an andcreating aculture of Amarillo Republican and hundreds of firefighters, endorsementbyGov. Greg unsustainable government former mayor of the Pan­ FROMTHE policeofficers and other Abbott, during aconfer­ growth. handle city,unsuccessfully firstresponders —along ence in Corpus Christi, of “Texas hasthe fifth tried to amendthe bill to with mayors,county judges a broad­based state law to highestproperty tax rate ease what he said would be NATION’S and others —who oppose preempt local regulations. in the United States,” Bet­ aburden on local officials. the bill,” said Dick Lavine, Whilehemade no mention tencourt said. “This is not He called hislastamend­ asenior fiscalanalystwith of tax policy, the comment apartisanissue.This is an ment“one of the lastgasps the Center for Public Poli­ quicklybecame partofop­ everybody­pays­property­ of smallgovernmentinthis TOP cy Priorities and whoalso ponents’ argumentthat taxes issue.” state.” chairs the Travis Central Austin is big­footing local He said property taxes Seliger then voted * Appraisal District board. officialswithSenateBill2, in Harris County have againstthe bill, the only BANK “The Senate is playing with much as stateofficials gone up 36 percentinthree Republican to do so. fire,asthis revenuescheme long have complained that years, bringing in addition­ Sen. KirkWatson, D­ 13-MONTHCDSPECIAL. LIMITEDTIMEOFFER! would mean fewerresourc­ Washington overreaches al $418million in revenues. Austin,blamed rising local es for Texas communities into statepolicies. propertytaxes on the Leg­ thatneed them.” On the eveofthe Senate ‘Personal assault’ islature,noting thatmore debate,Abbott tweetedthat Despite the bill’s strong than half of Texas prop­ Abbottendorsement he supported the bill. How­ support, several Repub­ ertytaxes go to payfor local TheTexas Municipal ever,Press SecretaryJohn lican senators expressed public schools, whichhe League,the lobbygroup Wittman saidAbbott’s hesitation at passing amea­ said increasingly have had VISITONE OF OURFOUR thatrepresentsTexas cities remarksatthe conference sure so strongly opposed to shoulder the burden of HOUSTON LOCATIONSTODAY! and towns, said the mea­ hadnothingtodowiththe by their localofficeholders. costs pushed on local dis­ BANKOZARKS.COM sure would have savedthe property tax fight. “A lot of our officials see trictsbystatelawmakers. owner of a$250,000 Dal­ In debating hisbill,Bet­ this as apersonal assault “The Legislature is the *Top Bank in theU.S.asnamedbySNL Financial,2012, 2015, 2016; Bank Director, 2013, 2014,2015, 2016; ABABankingJournal,2011, 2012. **AnnualPercentageYield las home only$27.69had it tencourt insisted the mea­ on local government,” real culprit,” Watson said, (APY) effective7/18/16. $1,000 minimum deposit required to earn stated APYand been in effect this year. sure would not prevent said Sen. Charles Perry, voting againstthe bill. fundsmustcome from asourceoutside Bank of theOzarks. Penalty forearly withdrawal. Offernot availabletobrokers, dealersand otherfinancial institutions. “A nyone whocalls this local taxing entities from R­Lubbock, whose district Offergood at Houstonlocations only. Fees could reduceearnings. tax relief is reallycommit­ payingtheir bills but only includesnumerous mostly [email protected] Member FDIC. ©Copyright 2017 Bank of theOzarks. ting tax fraud,” said Ben­ would limitthe escala­ rural counties. “There’s twitter.com/ChronicleMike xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A7 A8 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xx NATION WORLD Officials: No newthreatled to laptoplimit

Civil libertiesgroups, willmakethem more vulnerable carriers, will be affected. Senior ditionofanonymity. tions. to theft. Trumpadministration officials Theadministrationofficials Thenew U.S. and Britishrules airline passengers Underthe newbans, elec­ whobriefed reporters aboutthe whospoketoreporters earlier for electronics appear to address denouncethe ban tronic devices largerthan smart­ ban saidnoU.S.­based airlines saidthe security change wasthe an evolvingthreat.The targeted phones,suchaslaptops,tablets have nonstop flightsfromthose result of “evaluated intelligence.” airports are in aregion wherethe By Alicia A. Caldwell and gaming devices, will have cities to the U.S. They noted thatanexplosion terrorthreat has been elevated for ASSOCIATED PRESS to be checkedonsome interna­ TheBritishsecurityruleswill aboardaDaallo Airlinesflight in several years. tionalflights. American officials applytoflightsfromTurkey, Leb­ Somalia last year wasbelievedto The10airportssingled out by WA SHINGTON —U.S.and announced the U.S. ban early anon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and have been the result of alaptop­ the U.S. mayhavebeenselected Britishofficials said Tuesdaythe Tuesday, and the British followed Saudi Arabia. borne bomb. That explosion because screening equipmentand decision to bar laptops and tablets later in the dayafterdiscussions AU.S.governmentofficial killed onlythe suspected bomber. procedures forcarry­on luggage fromthe cabinsofsome interna­ between the countries. said the ban wasnot prompted maynot be effectiveenough to de­ tional flightswasn’t basedonany by anynew or specific threatun­ Rules at 10 U.S. airports tectcertain types of non­metallic specificthreat butonlong­stand­ Direct flights targeted covered in recentdaysbut rather ABritishsecurity official also explosive devices. Waters said ing concerns about terroriststar­ TheU.S.ban affects flights wasbased on awareness of con­ said there have notbeen,tothat screening of checkedbagsisoften geting jetliners. from Amman, Jordan; Kuwait tinuing terroristdesires totarget official’s knowledge, recentEu­ more intensive. Unimpressed, some travel­ City,Kuwait; Cairo; Istanbul; Jed­ commercial aircraft. Terrorists ropean­directed plots involving TheU.S.rulestook effect Tues­ ers and civil liberties groups dah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; are aggressively pursuing new such explosivedevices.The offi­ day, thoughairlines willhaveun­ denounced theban,raising con­ Casablanca, Morocco; Doha,Qa­ methods to conduct attacks,in­ cial spoke on the condition of an­ til2a.m.CDT Saturdaytoimple­ cerns thatincludedlostwork tar,and Dubai and AbuDhabi in cluding smugglingexplosivesin onymity because the official was mentthem. Britishofficials said time on long flightsand worries the United ArabEmirates.About consumer items, the official said. not authorized to speakpublicly there is no specifictime frame to thatchecking laptops in baggage 50 flightsaday, all on foreign That official spokeonthe con­ about ongoing intelligenceopera­ implementBritain’snew rules. Trumpsigns NASA bill, opening ‘nextchapter’ofspace $19.5billion measure tion anumber of critical space agency activities to the commer­ will boost Houston, cial space sector,including ferry­ end relianceonRussia ing U.S. astronauts to the space station and ending NASA’s reli­ By Kevin Diaz ance on Russia. Theheavy Texas contingent WA SHINGTON —President wasasign of the space agency’s Donald Trumpsigned asweep­ importance to the Lone Star ing NASA policybill on Tuesday, State, particularly Houston’s reinforcing the space agency’s Johnson Space Center. Babin, commitmenttohuman space ex­ whose district includesthe space ploration and along­term trajec­ center,called it “the next chapter tory to Mars. of human space exploration.” “For almostsix decades, Trumphanded out some of the NASA’s work has inspired mil­ pens he used to sign the bill, then lions and millions of Americans waspresented with aNASAas­ to imagine distantworlds and tronaut flight jacket abetter future right here on “Does anybodyhaveany­ Earth,” said Trump, flanked by thing to say? Ted, youwantto an arrayofNASAofficials, as­ say something?” Trump asked. tronauts, and Texas lawmakers, Nicholas Kamm /AFP /GettyImages Cruz called the bill “terrific” and including U.S. Sen. TedCruzand PresidentDonald Trumpischeered Tuesdayafter signingapolicy bill that reaffirms thenation’s thanked the president. U.S. Reps. Brian Babin, Lamar commitmenttoNASA. Many Texaslawmakerswho pushed forthe bill were at theOvalOffice event. “Marco?” Trumpthen asked, Smith and John Culberson. turning to Sen. Rubio. “Withthislegislation, we since abill likethis has been ogy.” and California, extending anum­ “I’mhappy to see thatFlorida support NASA’s scientists, en­ signed, reaffirming our national The$19.5 billion measure,the ber of critical space programs is going to continue to do more gineers, astronauts and their commitmenttothe core mission firstmajor NASA policybill in such as the Hubble Telescope than Texas is,” Rubio quipped. pursuitofdiscovery,” Trump of NASA:human space explora­ sevenyears, is also an important and the International Space Sta­ continued. “It’sbeen along time tion, space science and technol­ jobs initiative for Texas, Florida tion. It also continues to transi­ [email protected]

Being aHoustonian means being therefor your family,friends and neighbors. It’saway of life. That’swhy AARP is committed to building better communities by helping you connect with others who shareyour interests and passions. Whether you want to learnsomething new,volunteer or just have fun with new people, we have the resources to help you tap into acommunity of people like you right hereinHouston.

Check out the free events we’reholding all around town and get to know us at aarp.org/Houston xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A9 NATION Firstbee type makes U.S. listofendangered species

ASSOCIATED PRESS declines,the rustypatched has to “a healthy the speciesisnative.” sible reasons forthe decline of the disappearedfromabout90per­ and secure TheXercesSociety for Inver­ bee,named for the rustyreddish Therusty patched bumblebee centofits rangeinthe past20 condition,”the tebrate Conservation, whichfiled patchonthe backs of workers on Tuesdaybecame thefirstoffi­ years.Itpreviously wascommon U.S. Depart­ the petition thattriggered the and males. Most of the grasslands ciallyendangeredbee species in across the East Coast andmuch mentofInte­ government’sconsideration of and tallgrass prairies wherethey the continental U.S.,overcoming of the Midwest, where it playeda rior said. “We the matter,saiditwas “thrilled to once thrivedhavebeen converted objections from somebusiness crucial role as apollinator of crops willworkwith Rustypatched see one of North America’s most to farms or urban areas. interestsand alast­minute delay and wild plants. stakeholders bumblebee endangered species receive the Thebee’s endangeredlisting orderedbytheTrump adminis­ Itslistingasanendangered to ensure col­ protectionitneeds.” hadbeenscheduled to take effect tration. species means the U.S. Fish and laborative conservation among Scientists saydisease,pesti­ Feb. 10.But the Trumpadminis­ One of manybee types that Wildlife Service willdevise aplan landowners, farmers, industry, cideexposure,habitat lossand tration said it would postpone the have suffered steep population for returning the imperiled bee and developers in the areaswhere climate changeare amongpos­ listinguntil Tuesday. Studies mayaid prostate cancer choices

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO—Men with early­stage prostate cancer face adizzying quandary overwhich treatmentto choose,but twonew stud­ ies on side effectsmay makethose decisions abit easier. Theresearchbolsters evidence thatsexual prob­ lems and urinaryinconti­ nence are more common after surgerythan after ra­ diation or “watchful wait­ ing”without treatment. Butitalso showsdiffer­ ences in quality of life tend to wane with time for those with prostate cancer that hasn’t spread—the type thataffects mostmen with the disease. Givenearlier research showingcomparable sur­ vivalrates, the results also support observation as a reasonable optionfor men with early disease, especial­ ly those with less aggres­ sive tumors, said Dr. Daniel Barocas of Vanderbilt Uni­ versity,leaderofone of the studies. Still, he noted, men whochoose observation could have problems re­ lated to enlargedprostates, including frequenturina­ tion, thatthose whohave surgerydon’t face. Theresearchprovides aroadmap to helpguide patients’ choices,“andthat takes alot of theterror out of the decision­making,” said prostatecancer sur­ vivor Ralph Conwill of YOU’VESEEN THIS DECAL Nashville,Tenn. He helped preparepatients’ question­ TIME AND TIME AGAIN, naires used in Barocas’ study. Conwill saidthe diag­ BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT nosis put him “in shock mode,” and hearing doc­ tors talk about cancer IT STANDS FOR? stage, tumorsize, treat­ mentoptions and poten­ tial side effects was like a foreign language. He won­ dered,“‘How does that When apeace officer or firefighter dies in the applytome?’How in the line of duty leaving their dependents behind, The 100 Club: worlddoImakethisdeci­ sion?’” Thestudieshelp pro­ videanswers, showing quality of life outcomes Pays off their home loan, car loans andall credit card debt depend on treatmentbut also on men’s sexual and urinaryfunctionbefore diagnosis. Provides acollege education for each dependent child Conwill knewimpo­ tence waspossible —but when it happened, “itwas devastating —itstill is Assesses and pays for other financial needs, distributing devastating,” said Conwill. Still, he doesn’t regret sur­ an average of $300,000 per tragedy gery because he’s confident he won’tfacecancer again. Both U.S. studies were published Tuesdayinthe Journal of the American Medical Association. A journal editorial says with these newresults, men with early prostate cancer IT’S MORE THAN ADECAL.IT’SASTATEMENTOFSUPPORT. “havenever been better in­ formed about the trade­off they have to make.” Show your gratitude for those who put their lives on the More than 1million men worldwideare diagnosed line for you. Join the Club today and forever display the decal with pride. with prostate cancer each year.The American Can­ 713.952.0100 |the100club.org cer Society estimates there willbeabout 160,000 new U.S. casesand more than 26,000 deaths this year. Patients in both studies whoopted for treatment had newerkinds, mostly robotic surgerywithsmall incisionstoremove the prostate or external preci­ sion radiation thathelps sparesurrounding tissue. In one study, some men got atype of radiation thatim­ plants radioactive pellets into the tumor. A10 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xxx WORLD

MARTIN MCGUINNESS:1950 -2017 IRA leaderturned peacemaker Missing CIA consultant’s during height of sectarian fight familyfiles suit againstIran NEWYORK TIMES theTehran government, and Iran overLevinson’s By RobertD.McFadden accusing it of hostage­tak­ fate.U.S.law enforcement NEWYORK TIMES Thefamily of apart­ ing,terrorism and torture. officials have long believed time consultantfor the CIA Butthe action involving thatelements of Iran’s po­ Martin McGuinness, a whovanished adecade ago Levinsonisunusual, be­ litical,religious or intel­ former IrishRepublican in Iran filed alawsuit Tues­ cause Iranian officials have ligence hierarchy were Armycommander and dayagainst thatcountry, insisted thatthey know involved in hiscapture Sinn Fein political leader claiming thatithad used a nothing about his where­ and detention. ButPresi­ whohelped negotiate campaign of deception and abouts. dent Barack Obama never peace in Northern Ireland lies to conceal itsrole in his Alawyerwho repre­ challenged Iran with those after decadesofsectarian imprisonment. sents Levinson’sfamily findingswhile in office,and violence,and became ase­ Thelawsuit wasfiled in called such claims hollow, Trump, whovowedin2015 nior official in itspower­ afederal court in Washing­ adding thatIran hadlong to bring Levinson home, sharing government, died tononbehalf of the wife of been engagedinacam­ has yettodoso. TuesdayinDerry. He was the missing man, Robert paign of disinformation Levinson traveled in 66. Levinson, and their seven about the missing man. March2007 to an Iranian SinnFein said on its children.The actionis “Wewantjustice,and island on aroguemission website thatMcGuinness seeking unspecified dam­ this case calls out for jus­ to recruitanintelligence died after ashort illness. PeterMorrison /AssociatedPress ages from Iran for itsal­ tice,” the lawyer,David source for the CIA. He has When he resigned from Sinn Fein party leadersGerry Adams, back, and leged role in, among other McGee,said. been seen sincethen onlyin the Belfastgovernmentin Michelle O’Neill, front, carry thecoffin of former things, inflicting emotional Aspokesman for Iran’s ahostage videotape made January, TheIrish Times IRA commander Martin McGuinness. distress on the familyof ambassadortothe United in 2010 and in aseriesof reported thathehad amy­ Levinson, whowas afor­ Nations did not respond to photographs. While some loidosis, arare condition And on May8,2007,a Once banned from en­ mer FBI agent. requests for comment. experts believe Levinson caused by theabnormal daymanythought would tering Britain, McGuin­ Other Americans once Thelawsuit could lead died in captivity,his family buildup of protein deposits nevercome,the Rev. Ian ness wonaseatinthe held by Iran as prisoners to aconfrontation between believesheisstillalive.If in tissues and organs. Paisley, House of Commonsin have filed lawsuitsagainst PresidentDonald Trump so,hewould nowbe69. In bombings and kill­ whohad London, but did not take ingsthatraged from the founded it,inline with Sinn Fein’s 1960s to the ’90s between the Dem­ policy of abstaining as a Protestantand Roman ocratic form of protest; ran unsuc­ N. Korea’s latest missiletest Catholic forces —the Trou­ Unionist cessfullyfor the presiden­ bles thatleft 3,700dead— Party and cy of Ireland in 2011; visited McGuinness waswidely hadlong prime ministers several ends in failure, Seoul reports believedtohavejoined, stood for McGuinness times at No.10Downing andlater directed, terror­ continued St.; met Presidents Bill ASSOCIATED PRESS ing,the North fired amis­ American officials said istactivities. He denied Ulster associationwith Clinton,George W. Bush sile from the eastern coast­ earlier this week thatthe the allegations.His only Britain, and McGuinness, and Barack Obama at the SEOUL,SouthKorea al town of Wonsan but U.S. militaryexpected an­ convictions,inthe early whohad fought for Ulster’s WhiteHouse; and shook —NorthKorea’slatest the launchwas believed other North Korean missile ’70s, were for possessing incorporation into aunited hands twicewithQueen missile launchappeared to have ended in afailure, launchinthe next several explosivesand ammuni­ Ireland, took oaths as the Elizabeth II. to have ended in afailure Seoul’s Defense Ministry days.The officials said the tion and for belonging to leaderand deputy leader, on Wednesday, South Ko­ said in astatement. U.S. hadincreased itssur­ the outlawedIRA. respectively, of Northern ‘Hero’ and ‘criminal’ rean defense officials said, Theministrysaid it was veillance overthe North Ireland’s power­sharing “This is the sideofhis three days afterthe North analyzing what typeof and haddetected aNorth Power-sharingdeal government. political life thatMcGuin­ claimed amajor break­ missile waslaunched but Korean missile launcher Butinhis 40s he evolved As Prime Ministers ness wantsthe Irishpeople throughinits rocketdevel­ gave no further details. being moved, as well as the into apeacemakerand Tony Blair of Britain and to remember:the reformed opmentprogram. Yo nhapnews agency re­ construction of VIP seat­ politician. He waschief Bertie Ahern of Ireland man, theyoung,hotheaded Thereportedlaunch ported the missile wasbe­ ing in Wonsan. negotiator for Sinn Fein, looked on, the proceedings idealistwho learned theer­ failure comes as the North lievedtohaveexploded in TheNorth’s statemedia the political arm of the ended direct Britishcon­ ror of his ways and forged is angrily reacting to on­ mid­air. said Sundaythatithad IRA, in acomplex Good trol of Northern Ireland peace,anachievement going annual U.S.­South Thefailure might mean conducted aground testof FridayAgreementin1998, and reinstated home rule thatstill wins him plaudits Korean militarydrills that that the missile is anewly anew type of high­thrust in whichBritain, Ireland forits 1.8million people. from around the world,” it views as an invasion re­ developed one the North rocketengine,whichit and the political parties of Legislative powerwas the Britishmagazine New hearsal. has not deployed, accord­ hailed as a breakthrough NorthernIreland created vested in aNorthern Ire­ Statesman said in 2011. “To Earlier this month, ing to South Korean me­ forthe country’sspace aframework for power­ land Assembly, andUlster some in Ireland he is ahero North Korea fired four bal­ dia. Lastyear,the country program. Washington, sharing in Belfast and for began anew era in which —aman whostood up for listic missiles thatlanded suffered aseries of embar­ Seoul and others viewthe eventual resolution of is­ long­bitter adversaries the oppressed, whofought in waters off Japan, trigger­ rassing failed launches North’s space program as sues likesovereignty,civil pledged to abandon armed the British. To others, he ing strong protests from of itsnew medium­range acoverfor itsbanned long­ rights, disarmament, jus­ struggles and embrace po­ was, is and will always be Seoul and Tokyo. Musudan missile before it rangemissile development tice and policing. litical solutions. acriminal.” On Wednesday morn­ successfullytest­fired one. program.

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Kelsey-Seybold.com/CancerCenter|713-442-1080 xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A11 NATION Hospital takes on rare surgery Labor nominee cutdeal to help baby born with 4legs as prosecutorinsex case

By Lisa Schencker WA SHINGTON POST than pursuing afederal in­ in exchangefor money.… TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE dictmentthatAcosta’sstaff Somewentthereasmuch There wasonce atime — hadadvocated. as 100 times or more.” CHICAGO—Advocate beforethe investigations, AlthoughEpstein’s Federal prosecutorsde­ Children’s Hospital sur­ before the sexual abuse friends and visitors once in­ tailedtheirfindings in an geonshavesuccessfully conviction —whenrich cludedpastandfuturepres­ 82­page prosecution memo operated on ababyfrom and famous men lovedto idents, rockstars, and some and a53­page indictment, Africa whowas bornwith hang around with Jeffrey ofthecountry’srichestmen, but Epstein wasnever twospines and an extra set Epstein,abillionairemoney he is no longer asocial mag­ indicted. In 2007, Acosta of legsprotrudingfrom her managerwholovedtoparty. net. Epsteinpleadedguilty signedanon­prosecution neck. Theyvisitedhismansion to aFlorida statecharge of deal in whichheagreed not Thehospital announced in Palm Beach,Fla.They felonysolicitation of under­ to pursue federalcharges Tuesdaythat10­month­ flewonhis jet to join him at agegirls in 2008 and served againstEpstein or four old Dominique from Ivory his private estate on the Ca­ a13­month jail sentence. women whothe govern­ CoastinWestAfrica, is ribbeanislandofLittleSaint Former Palm Beach Po­ mentsaid procured girls for recovering well from the JoseM.Osorio /ChicagoTribune James.They even joked lice Chief MichaelReiter, him.Inexchange, Epstein March8surgery. Nancy Swabb, of Chicago,ishosting10-month-old about his taste in younger whose departmentcon­ agreed to pleadguilty to a Thebabyhas already Dominique duringher recovery.The baby wasborn women. ducted the initial investiga­ solicitationcharge in state started sitting up again, withfour legs and twospines in Ivory Coast. PresidentDonaldTrump tion into Epstein’s behavior, court,accept a13­month said Nancy Swabb, whois called Epstein a“terrific said in acivil lawsuit depo­ sentence, register as asex hosting the infant in her sets of conjoined twins. said. Theother twin, how­ guy” back in 2002,saying sitionthatEpstein gotoff offender and payrestitu­ Edgebrook neighborhood Lurie also attracts many ever,never fullydeveloped. that“he’s alot of fun to be easy. tion tothevictimsidentified home during the infant’s patients from abroad. Last Onlythe lowerhalf of that with. It is even saidthathe “Thatwasn’t an appro­ in the federal investigation. recovery in the U.S. year,Lurie cared for 247 twin’s bodyformed, and likes beautiful women as priate resolutionofthis “This agreementwill not Doctors expectshe’ll be patients from outsidethe Dominique wasborn with much as Ido, and manyof matter,” Reiter said, argu­ be made part of anypublic able to live anormal, fully U.S. thatparasitic twin joined them are on the younger ing thatthe chargesleveled record,”the deal between functional life. Advocate Children’s to her spine,Kellogg said. side.” againstEpstein were “very Epstein and Acostasays. “Herrecovery hasbeen Hospital, 15 miles north­ Onlyahandful of cases Now,Trump is on the minor,”compared with Thedocumentwas un­ amazing,” Swabbsaid. west of downtown, admit­ likeDominique’s,involv­ witness listinaFlorida what thefacts calledfor.Ina sealed by afederal judgein “Children are so resilient.” tedlydoesn’t attract many ing aparasitic twin at­ court battle overhow fed­ letter to parents of Epstein’s acivil lawsuit in 2015. Notmanyhospitals have patients from abroadand tached at the spine,have eral prosecutorshandled victims, Reiter said justice Thedeal Acosta made done such operations, and maynot be as well­known ever been documented. allegations thatEpstein, 64, hadnot been served. with Epstein precludedany the surgerywas the firstof for complex surgeries, said Thesurgery lasted sexuallyabused more than ProsecutorsinAcosta’s newfederal prosecution itskind ever performed by Dr.Robert Kellogg, one of about six hours. Thesur­ 40minorgirls,mostofthem Miami office whohad based on offenses he may Advocate Children’s Hos­ fivesurgeons whooper­ geons hadtoseparate bone, betweentheagesof13and17. joined the FBI in the inves­ have committed between pital. ated on Dominique. blood vessels and nerves. Thelawsuit questions why tigation concluded, accord­ 2001 and 2007,but in Flori­ In the Chicago area, Buthesaid surgeonsat “While it’s notsome­ Trump’snominee for labor ing to documentsproduced da, Trumpisonthe witness many people think of Lu­ Advocate knewthey could thing thatthis hospital has secretary,former Miami by the U.S. attorney’s of­ listinacivil case in which rie Children’s Hospital in helpDominique,whose done before,wecertainly U.S. Attorney Alexander fice,thatEpstein, work­ twoattorneysaccusefed­ downtown Chicago as the lastname wasnot being hadthe confidence we Acosta, whose confirma­ ingthrough several female eralprosecutorsofhaving go­to facility for complex released. couldplan and perform tion hearingisscheduled assistants, “wouldrecruit deceivedEpstein’svictims pediatric operations.Lu­ Dominique wasborn this surgeryand have a tobegin Wednesday, cuta underage females to travel by failing to inform them rie,for example,has suc­ with what’s known as a good outcome at theend,” non­prosecution deal with to his home in Palm Beach thatthey would not charge cessfullyseparated three parasitic twin, Kellogg Kelloggsaid. Epstein adecade agorather to engageinlewd conduct Epstein.

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cancer-causing toxin is infecting concentration of chromium 6. LOWESTRATED WATER UTILITIES Houston’stap wateratdanger- A Pensacola, FL ous rates. Chromium 6occurs in the environment due to the natural erosion of chromium 100 Emerald CoastWater Utility Thechemical made infamous by Erin deposits in things such as rocks, soil, Brockovich, hexavalent chromium or and volcanic dust, but it can also be chromium 6, has been found at such compounded by pollution from indus- Riverside,CA high levels in Houstonthatthe city now tries such as mining and electroplating. 99 City of Riverside Public Utilities ranks thirdacrossthe country in its Upon questioning by Channel 2, Hous- concentration of the deadly agent, re- ton’sPublic Works and Engineering said Las Vegas, NV ports the Environmental Working Group it is currently unknown whether thereis (EWG), anational nonprofit headquar- morefactory contamination in the high 98 Las Vegas ValleyWater District teredinWashington, DC. Cancer rates chromium 6areas. start to rise at aconcentration of .02 Riverside County,CA parts per billion (ppb)—a part per bil- Meanwhile,Houston’sDrinking Water 97 Eastern Municipal WaterDistrict lion is roughly one drop of waterinan Operations conducts over15,000 tests Olympic-sized swimming pool— but in on drinking watersamples each month, Houston, the wateraverages .75ppb. but neither the federal government nor Reno,NV In some cases, the chromium 6rates the statehaveset chromium 6stan- 96 Truckee Meadows WaterAuthority in the city rise over6.0, which is 300 dards fordrinking water. In addition, times the recommended health level neither the Environmental Protection according to California’sOfficeofEnvi- Agency(EPA) nor the TexasCommis- Houston, TX ronmental Health HazardAssessment. sion on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) 95 City of HoustonPublic Works specifically monitors chromium 6out- “The levelthatyou’retalking about in side the general category of chromium. Houstonwould mean an additional 330 mation System (IRIS) assessment of some cases of cancer overalifetime,” “The health and safety of all Americans chromium 6, which it started after EWG Bill Walker,EWG’s Managing Editor,told is apriority,especially as it relatesto and Channel 2published their reports. Houston’sChannel 2. our drinking water. Evidenceofharm- Theresults will be ready forthe public ful chromium-6 levels mustbeinvesti- laterthis year. “It could also cause damage to livers gated,”said Houston’sCongressman Al and kidneys,” RiceUniversity’sDr. Qi- Green. Even without the excess chromium 6, lin Li told Channel 2ofthe chromium Houston’stap wateristhe sixth worstin 6findings. Dr.Lialso said she would He sent aletter to the EPAdemanding the nation foroverall waterquality,ac- install her ownwater filtration system further investigation and forthe agency cording to the EWG. Don’t wait forthe if she lived in an area with such ahigh to accelerateits Integrated Risk Infor- EPA, Congressoranother Erin Brockov- ich to protect youand your family from the next Flint. Contact John Mooreto install awater filtration system and se- curethe waterquality youdeserve. (To avoid cross-contamination, it is highly recommended thatalicensed plumber to do the installation.)

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PRODUCED BY: A12 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xxx NATION CityinMainetries anew tactic with panhandlers: hiringthem After toughapproach lawedbeggingonstreet medi­ Theplan is more than ajust er City in Louisiana has imposed founder and executive director ans, saying it wasapublic safety starkreversal for Portland, the stricter laws on panhandling. of the National LawCenter on fails, beggarswill be issue.After afederal court harbor city of 66,000 people Lastmonth inJuneau, the capi­ Homelessness and Poverty in paid to cleanparks struck down thatlaw,Portland about 100 miles northofBoston. tal of Alaska, city leaders made Washington. “Wehavebegun bulldozed astripinthe middle of It is asmall but significantshift it illegaltosleepoutsideinparts chippingawayatthe trend, and By MatthewHaag aroadthathad provedpopular from thedisciplinaryapproach of downtown. there is an increasing realiza­ NEWYORK TIMES with beggars. used by cities nationwidein tionamong some cities thatthis dealing with panhandlers and Rights infringement isnot agoodapproach.” Thecomplaints poured into Anew approach homeless people. Several courts, including the Portland is following sev­ City Hall in Portland, ascenic Despite the aggressive ap­ Othercities have trieddiffer­ 1stU.S.CircuitCourt of Appeals, eral other cities.Ayear and a city in Maine withcobblestone proach,panhandlers did not enttactics. LosAngeles and Dal­ whichstruckdownPortland’s half ago, Albuquerque,N.M., streets and waterfront parks. disappear. las have cleaned out campsites lawagainstbegging on median implemented ajobsprograms Panhandlers were takingover So startinginApril, Portland to force homeless people farther strips in 2015, have increasingly thatpays$9anhour.Sincethen, sidewalks, clogging busy inter­ plans to tryanew tactic.The away from central business dis­ taken an unfavorable view of more than1,750 jobshavebeen sections and scaring off tourists. city will hireafew panhandlers tricts. Panhandlers in Raleigh, panhandlingordinances, saying handedout and over60tons of City officials responded in the aday,pay them $10.68 an hour, N.C.,can only legallyask for theyinfringeonpeople’sFirst litter have been removed, ac­ same manner as their counter­ the city’sminimumwage, and money if theyhavecity­issued Amendment rights. cordingtothe city.InChicago, parts across the country —with assign them to clean parks and permits.Honolulu has made it “These laws arestill on the panhandlers receive $55aday to force.Startingin2013, they out­ public spaces. illegal to sitinsome areas. Bossi­ rise,” said MariaFoscarinis,the pickuptrash. Visit to Russia to test vowof closer U.S. ties

Tillerson’strip tentiallyrolling back the sanctions imposed on Rus­ to come amid sia after itsannexation of inquiriesinto Ukraine’s Crimea region election meddling in 2014, amove Democrats and Republicans in Con­ gress oppose.But aspresi­ By Josh Lederman dent,Trump has tamped ASSOCIATEDPRESS down such suggestions as long as Russia fails to live WA SHINGTON —With up to itsvarious commit­ Russia­tinged investiga­ ments to end the fighting in tions swirling around his Ukraine. administration, President Donald Trumphas yetto Political realities fulfill acampaignpledge Hisadministration of closer cooperationwith also has resisted Russia’s Moscow. Aplanned tripby calls to join forces against Jenna Schoenefeld /New York Times SecretaryofState RexTil­ the Islamic Stategroupin RogerStone,one of thebest-known of Donald Trump’sadvisersduringthe campaign, has denied any lerson to Russiacould test Syria, where the former involvementwiththe Russians, but his public statements have giveninvestigators afocal pointtoconsider. if detente proves anything Cold Warfoes have long more thantalk. backed opposing sides in In amove alarming U.S. acivil war. ThePentagon The ‘trickster’ on Trump’ssideisunder allies, Tillerson plans to is continuing onlywhatit skip ameeting of NATO calls U.S.­Russian “decon­ foreign ministers in Bel­ fliction” contacts, designed FBI scrutinyinRussian electionprobe gium next month, accord­ to ensure their forces don’t ing to U.S. officials. accidentally collide By Maggie Haberman Aknown troublemaker, months later,not anyemails. Thetop U.S. diplo­ onSyria’scrowded NEWYORK TIMES Now under scrutinybyboth FBI matalmost always battlefield. Stonedeniescollusion and Senate investigators, Stonehas attends such gath­ ButTrump’s big­ In PresidentDonald Trump’soft­ to help defeat Clinton hired two lawyers to represent him. erings,and Tiller­ gest roadblockto changing worldorder,Roger J. Stone Butinaninterview,Stone maintained son will followup anew Russia ap­ Jr., the onetime political consultant time in the barrel,”Stone hadmused thatthis was“ascandal with no evi­ his absence in Brus­ proach may be the and full­time provocateur, has been on Twitter beforePodesta’semails dence.” sels by traveling politicalrealities at one of the fewconstants—aloyalist were released. “There is still not an iota of proof to Russia’scapital Tillerson home. and self­proclaimed“dirty trickster” When Schiff askedComey how thatanyoneonthe Trumpcampaign shortlyafterward. In aremarkable whonurturedthe dream of apresi­ Stone could have knownthatPodes­ colluded with the Russians,” said Thejuxtaposition of the public disclosure on Mon­ dentialrun by thedeveloper­turned­ ta’s emails were going to be released, Stone,who metTrump through their trips —one taken and one day, FBI Director James television­starfor 30 years. the FBI director againrefused to an­ mutual mentor,the McCarthy­era avoided—has reinforced Comey said the bureau Buttwo months into the Trump swer.“That’s not something Ican fixer andlawyerRoy M. Cohn. concerns about America’s is investigating whether presidency,Stone, known for his pin­ commenton,” Comey replied. commitmenttoNATO, Trumpcampaign associ­ stripe suits, the Nixontattoo spanning Stonehas denied advanceknowl­ ‘The character Iplay’ whichTrump hasrepeat­ ates coordinated with Rus­ his shoulder blades, and decadesof edgeofthe hacks or anyinvolvement Fewpeople go as farback with edlyfueled by dressing sian officials as Moscow outlandishstatements, is under inves­ with the Russians. Buthis public TrumpasStone.Overthe years, he down allies as deadbeats sought to sway theU.S. tigationfor what wouldbehis dirtiest statements have giveninvestigators a wasbyTrump’s sideashetoyedwith whoaren’t paying enough presidential election. Two trick—colluding with theRussians focal pointtoconsider. running for president and then, in for their owndefenseand congressionalcommittees to defeatHillaryClinton andput his Before the Podestaemails were 2015, finallydecidedtodoit. Still, whotakeU.S.help for are also investigating. friendinthe WhiteHouse. released, Stonesaidinaspeechthat Stone seems to prefer the roleofout­ granted. Trumphas denied any At ahearing of the House Intelli­ he had “communicated with” Julian sideadviser in arelationshipthathas collaboration betweenhis gence Committee on Monday, Demo­ Assange, theWikiLeaksfounder and had ups and downs. It was the role he Mayvisit forTrump campaign and Russia. crats pressed James B. Comey,di­ thathehad alarge trove of material playedin2016 afterheleft Trump’s Trumpwill takepartin In anycase,Tillerson is rector of theFBI, for information on on the Clintonsthathewould publish campaign overwhatStone saidwas a ameetingofNATOheads meeting with almostevery Stone.Asked by Rep. Adam B. Schiff, shortlybefore the election. He hasac­ fight about itsdirection. of stateinBrussels on May NATO country’sforeign D­Calif., if he wasfamiliar with Stone, knowledgedhaving communicated Stone said he decided to leave; 25, the WhiteHouse an­ minister in Washington Comey replied tersely, “Generally, overTwitter with the online persona Trumpmaintainedthathefired him. nounced Tuesday. Spokes­ this week,officials said.Yet yes,” beforesayinghecould not dis­ Guccifer2.0,who U.S. officialsbelieve As an informaladviser,Stone sup­ man Sean Spicer said the that gathering is focused on cussany specificperson. is afront for Russian intelligence of­ ported Trump’splantofocus exten­ presidentlooks forward to fighting the Islamic State, ficials. Andthere wasthe Podesta sively on immigration. discussing“issues critical not on NATO’s keycon­ Podesta’semail hack tweet. As scrutiny has intensified in re­ to the alliance, especiallyal­ cern: Russia. Stone,64, is the bestknown of the Stone has saidthe timeline of his centweeks, Stone has lashed out lied responsibility­sharing Rep. StenyHoyerof Trumpassociates under scrutiny as “benign” contacts with Guccifer 2.0 more aggressively,sending aseriesof and NATO’s role in the fight Maryland, the No.2­ranked partofanFBI investigation into Rus­ —“whomay or not be aRussian as­ caustic,obscenity­laced messageson against terrorism.” House Democrat, said Til­ sianinterferenceinthe election. John set,” he insisted —disprove claims of Twitter,severalofwhichhedeleted a So far, though, Trump lersonwas sendinga“dan­ Podesta, the Clinton campaign chair­ collusion. Hiscommunication with fewhours afterposting. has yettomakeany major gerous signal to our allies man whosehacked emails were re­ Assange, Stone hassaid,was through “Don’t confuse RogerStonewith steps as president to bring and adversaries.” leased by WikiLeaks, accused him in an intermediaryand was“perfectly the characterIplay,”Stone said with a Russiaand theU.S.closer “Vladimir Putin’s Rus­ Octoberofhavingadvancewarning of legal.”The Podestatweet, Stone said, chuckle in an interviewSunday, con­ together. sia has notdone anything theRussian hacks. referredtoinformation inanarticle ceding he has sometimes senta“two­ As acandidate, Trump to meritsuchengagement,” “Trust me,itwill soon be Podesta’s Stonewrote thatwas published two martini tweet.” opened the door to po­ Hoyersaid.

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TidwellRd. GirlsfrompageA1 School officials alerted Sexual assaultincidents parents after incidents AHoustonman describedasasexual predator who targetedstudentswalkingC.E.toKingand from school in northeastHouston to have assaulted at least10 nearthe schools, Houston Middle girls in separate incidents ISDspokeswomanAshley —and Harris County—hasbeenlinked to incidentsatthe following locations in the past three years, according to the HoustonPoliceDepartment. Carlos Jose Ayala, 35, is being heldinthe Harris Countyjailon$450,000 bail. in the pastthree years in Anthonysaid Tuesday. 90 northeast Houstonand Scroggins sentthe LeyRd. Harris County. Dec.16letter. RaulMarti­ 8 Carlos Jose Ayala, a nez Elementarysentaletter . 6 Hwy North Shore

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35­year­old construction theday after the attempted Dr aumont Senior High

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Lo to file additional charges, sentaletter on Feb. 10 about Uv possiblyincluding at­ theassault that day. Hirs Eliot tempted kidnapping,as Elementary North ShoreMiddle 1 3 69 theyseek other victims. ‘Wewereinshock’ d. Woodf 2 59 orest Blvd.

5 yR Ayala also wascharged Galena Park ISD Police . Scroggins 4

xe with evading arrestafter Chief BryanClements said 10 St 8 Elementary

Ma leadingpolice onashort the district usuallyalerts op Lyons Ave. thr 7 chase Feb. 17,when officers parents if such an incident La doing surveillance in the happens near aschool. 9 R. Martinez 10 area spotted his car and However, he did not say Elementary Market St. 10 tried to pull him overnear whether an alert wasissued Wheatley Pugh Elementary 1mi. Cl the location ofaFeb. 10 as­ after anyofthe four attacks High inton sault on Shotwell Street. near Havard Elementaryin Dr. 90 Awoman whoanswered June,Julyand October 2014 thedoorathis homeTues­ and August2015. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 daydeclined to comment. Ayala, whotold police he June 5, July7, Oct.24, Aug. 30, Oct.7, Nov. 22, Dec. 15, Dec. 15, Jan. 23, Feb. 10, Theattorney listed in court is aU.S.citizen originally 2014 2014 2014 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 records as Ayala’s defense from Honduras, does not 5655 5655 5650 5655 700 11534 7320 7018 7200 700 lawyer,Gilbert Villareal, have acriminal historyin East Sam East Sam East Sam East Sam Shotwell Spicewood Waxahachie Force Abilene Shotwell did not respond to multiple Harris County. Public re­ Houston Houston Houston Houston Street Lane Street Street Avenue Street emails and phone calls. cordsshowAyala previous­ Parkway Parkway Parkway Parkway Investigators askedpar­ ly livedinthe Dallas area, Source:HoustonPoliceDept. HoustonChronicle ents in northeast Houston where he pleadedguilty to report anysuspectedas­ to a1999felony charge of saultstopolice at 713­635­ burglaryand a1998 misde­ Collins said shehas lived 0200. meanor charge of theft. in the Galena Park com­ Houston police said they munity since 2006 and has Connectingthe dots reached out to Dallas­area children and grandchil­ Thepatternbecameclear agencies but have yetto dren attendingGalena Park onlyinhindsight,investi­ hear of assaults thatcould schools. Shehad not heard gatorssaid. be connected. about apredator. Attacks in northeast As of Tuesdayafternoon, “He’sgrabbing girls?” Houston, manynear Inter­ Ayala remainedinthe Har­ askedCollins,56. “I have a state10. Aman walkingup ris County Jail in lieu of 24­year­old and Itaughther from behind inbroadday­ $450,000 bail. Hisnext early:Kick, bite,scratch, light.Hispanic girls7to15. court hearing is scheduled scream. …And to think it’s AdarkblueToyotasedan. for March28. in ourneighborhood. The Andtheattacks occurred Ayala livedjustashort parents reallyneedtoknow near schools, including drive from Havard, in aneat what’s reallygoing on.” Houston ISD’s Scroggins, mobile home community Mae Reyes, 28, was Eliot, Pughand Raul Mar­ with elaborate additions waiting by her car for her tinez elementaries as well and well­kept yards. brother andsister,who at­ as Havard Elementaryin Next door,SusanGarza tend NorthShoreMiddle Galena Park ISD. said shehad neverseen School. Shesaid the dis­ Officers fromthe Hous­ Ayala untilshe sawhis face missal process is strict for ton Police Department’s on television.She said her leaving the building,but northeast gang unit con­ son and daughter­in­law thatyoungsters fanout nected the dots after find­ moved in about a month after they’rereleased.She ingatleastfourprevious ago. Police showedupat had not heard of any child incidents near aWal­Mart their door about twoweeks snatchings, attempted ab­ a few blocks from Havard agotoalert them to the al­ ductionsorsexual assaults. Elementary. It wasn’t until legations. “I’msurprised it went officers reached out tothe “Wewereinshock,”said on for thatlong,” shesaid. Harris County Sheriff’s Garza, 55.“Of course we are “That’swhy Icome get Office that they realized concerned. We want the po­ them. Idon’t likeleaving similar assaults hadbeen lice to do their jobs, which them outsidefor long.” reported in 2014and 2015 they have —he’sinjail.” in the area but outsidethe At Havard Elementary, Shelby Webb and Houston city limits. Lynda Collins took her BrianRogerscontributed “It’sgoodtohavehim off 6­year­old son by thehand to this report. KarenWarren/HoustonChronicle thestreets,”Officer Nicole and walked him from the Students walk home from school in theEastBeltway 8areaonTuesday, near AnzolasaidataTuesday school’s frontbreezewayto [email protected] whereauthorities sayCarlos Jose Ayala, 35, wasbelievedtohavesexually news conference. her car. [email protected] assaulted four students since 2014. He’s been linked to six other attacks. Gorsuch: ‘I would have walked out’ if Trumprequired loyalty

GorsuchfrompageA1 thatprevent me from doing Hitchhiker’s Guidetothe ruled for both business that. And Ithink it would Galaxy,” judicial basketball interests and workers. everyplanned line of at­ be very imprudentofjudg­ games and the rodeo prac­ He said he hadnot always tack —from his record es to start commenting on tice of “mutton busting.” been happy to vote as the on workers’ rights to his politicaldisputes.” And for Democrats lawrequired. One exam­ skepticism of the power Leahyhad no such still straining to deter­ ple,hesaid, came in acase of regulatoryagencies — qualms. “I think it was mine how aggressively to Democrats have citedof­ Gorsuchemergedwithfew shameful,” he said of the counter Gorsuch’snomi­ ten: the tale of the trucker scratches. Republicans’ gambit.“I nation, the proceedings fired forabandoning his In responsetoquestions think it has severelydam­ Tuesdayoffered little help. cargo for his ownsafety in from Sen. PatrickLeahy, aged the reputation of the At times, after fits of ef­ subzero temperatures. D­Vt., Gorsuchexpressed committee.Ithink it has fective sidestepping from “This is one of those that admiration for JudgeMer­ severelydamagedthe rep­ the nominee, they paused youtakehome at night,” rick Garland,President utation of the senators who forseveral seconds to re­ said Gorsuch, whowrote Barack Obama’s nomi­ concurred with that.” group, looking through in a dissent that the com­ nee for the same Supreme their notes anew. panywas permitted to fire Court vacancy created by ‘Nopromises’toTrump SusanWalsh /AssociatedPress Effortstomakethe hear­ the man. the deathofJustice Anto­ On other questions, Neil Gorsuch talksaboutplayingbasketball with ingsareferendum, in part, Butthe law, he argued, nin Scalia. Gorsuchwas less reserved. thelate Justice ByronWhiteathis confirmation on Trumphimself faltered. wasclear:“Thelaw said He is “anoutstanding He did not hesitate,for hearingTuesday. Gorsuch wasaclerk forWhite, LeahypressedGorsuch the man is protected and judge,”Gorsuchsaid. instance,whenasked to whowas nominatedtothe courtin1962by on Trump’sorder ban­ can’t be fired if he refuses “WheneverIsee his declare his independence PresidentJohn F. Kennedy. He died in 2002. ning travelfrom several to operate an unsafe ve­ name attached to an opin­ from Trump. predominantly Muslim hicle.” ion, it’s one Ireadwithspe­ “Specificallytell us “I have no difficulty ruling Tower. countries. “Senator,that’s In fact, Gorsuchsaid, cial care,” Gorsuchsaid. whetheryou’d have any againstorfor anyparty, “Senator,Iwould have an issue that’scurrently the driverhad unhitched Butherefusedtosay trouble ruling against the other thanbased on what walked out the door,” Gor­ beinglitigated actively,as his vehicle from the trail­ whether Senate Republi­ president whoappoint­ the law and the facts and such said. you know,” Gorsuch said, ingcargo to gettosafety. cans had mistreated Gar­ ed you,” Sen. Charles E. the particularcase re­ Askedabout Roeand declining to weighin. “Hechosetooperate,” land by refusing to consid­ Grassley,the Iowa Repub­ quire.” countless other Supreme Leahysaid thatsome Gorsuch said,adding, “I er his nomination for the lican wholeads the Judicia­ Duringthe presidential Court decisions, Gorsuch Republicans hadargued think by anyplain under­ better part of ayear. ry Committee,instructed campaign,Trump said responded with variations that a rapid confirmation standing,heoperated the “I can’t getinvolvedin him. he would seek to appoint on atheme.The rulings forGorsuchcould repre­ vehicle.” politics,” Gorsuchsaid. “That’sasoftball, Mr. justices ready to vote to were entitled to respect as sentthe administration’s Thenominee expressed “There’s judicial canons Chairman,” Gorsuchsaid. overturn Roev.Wade,the precedents of the Supreme bestchance of winning a no fondness for thispartic­ 1973 decision establishing Court, he said, and should case on this issue before ular law—“I’ve beenstuck TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES: aconstitutionalright to not be overturned lightly. the Supreme Court. on ahighway in Wyoming abortion. “IfIwere to start telling “Senator,alot of people in asnowstorm,” he said — ButGorsuch said that youwhichare my favor­ sayalot of sillythings,” but saiditwas his duty to Cyanco International, LLC, has applied to no one fromthe White iteprecedents or which Gorsuchsaid, adding that observe it. the Texas Commission on Environmental House askedhim to make aremyleastfavorite prec­ anyone making thatargu­ Later,Sen. Al Franken, Quality (TCEQ) for issuance of Proposed anycommitments on legal edentsorifIviewaprec­ ment “has no idea howI’d D­Minn., perhaps the most Air Quality Permit Number 136184, which issues thatcould come be­ edentinthatfashion,” rule in thatcase.” He said aggressive questioner of fore the Supreme Court. Gorsuchsaid, “I would be he would not tiphis hand the day, askedGorsuch would authorize construction of aLiquid “I have offered no prom­ tipping my hand and sug­ on Tuesday. what he would have done Sodium Cyanide Manufacturing Plant ises on howI’d rule in any gesting to litigants thatI’ve if faced with the same con­ located near Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas case to anyone,” he said, already made up my mind ‘Absurd’argument ditions as the trucker. Gor­ 77512. From Alvin go south on Highway “and Idon’t think it’s ap­ about their cases.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein such would not say. 35 for 7miles until the highway intersects propriate for ajudgetodo Republicans largely of California, the commit­ “That’sabsurd,” Fran­ so,nomatter who’sdoing used their questioning tee’s top Democrat, asked, ken, aveteran of “Saturday with FM 2917. Turn left heading south the asking.” to help insulate Gorsuch “How do we have confi­ NightLive” in aprevious on FM 2917. Go 8miles and turn right on Sen. Lindsey Graham, from expected criticism, dence in youthatyou won’t life,said of Gorsuch’sdis­ Monsanto Road to the facility. Additional R­S.C., askedGorsuchhow offering 30­minute safe justbefor the big corpora­ sentinthe case. information concerning this application he would have responded harbors. Sen. TedCruz tions, thatyou will befor “Now,Ihad acareer in is contained in the public notice section of hadTrump askedhim to of Texas wasperhaps the the little men?” identifying absurdity,” vote to overrule Roedur­ mostcreative,coaxing Gor­ Gorsuchsaid his record he added. “A nd Iknowit this newspaper. ing his interviewatTrump such to hold forth on “The demonstrated thathehad when Isee it.” xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A15 FROM THE COVER Health care proposal tweaked in final days

Health from page A1 ›› CBOanalysis: Read thereportand seehow many millions of Americans would lose coverage under the committed, hopingtowrest GOP bill at HoustonChronicle.com/healthcare moreconcessions. Final whip countsin whichRepublicans have Homeland Security Com­ Congress,however, had campaigned againstsince mittee. Republican leaders opti­ itspassagein2010. San Antonio Republi­ mistic they can getthe 216 “I would hate to be aRe­ cansWillHurd and Lamar votes theyneed without publican whose vote pre­ Smith also didnot commit anyDemocratic support. vented us from keeping the Tuesday. Hurd’s swingdis­ Some,however, predict a commitments we’vemade trict in West Texas is one of close tally. to theAmericanpeoplefor four being targeted by the In afinal pushtoget the almost 10 years now,”Re­ center­right AmericanAc­ legislation past itsfirstma­ publican Majority Leader tion Network, whichhas jor test,the bill’s architects, MitchMcConnelltold the been pushingfor adoption including House Ways and Associated Press. of the House bill. Means Chairman Kevin Thegroupalsoisrun­ Brady of the Woodlands, Still uncommitted ning adsinBabin’s district, rolled out apackageof Trumptook the pitch as well as in districts repre­ changes to threadthe nee­ into aclosed­door meet­ sented by RepublicansTed dle between conservatives ing of House Republicans Poe, of Humble,and Randy whowantmore repeal, J. ScottApplewhite/Associated Press Tuesday, reportedlycalling Weber,ofFriendswood. and moderateswho sought PresidentDonald Trumpand Health and Human Services Secretary TomPrice out individual members Neither Poenor Weber moregenerousbenefits for arrive on Capitol Hill to rallysupport forthe Republican health careoverhaul. he hadhelped convince to responded to requests for the poor and elderly. back thebill being shep­ commentTuesday. Brady,along with En­ conservatives, Republi­ also would allow states to cludingTexas Republican herded to the floor Thurs­ Altogether,more than a ergy andCommerce Chair­ cansalso addedanamend­ takefederal blockgrants TedCruz, whoon“Face the daybyHouse SpeakerPaul half­dozen Texas lawmak­ man Greg Walden of Ore­ ment thatspecifically bars forMedicaid, as opposed Nation”Sundaycalled the Ryan. ers did not respond to re­ gon, issued astatementlate federaltax credits forabor­ to the currentopen­ended Housebilla“disaster.” Among the undecided quests for their positions, Mondaysayingtheywere tion. GOP leaders already funding commitmentto Using abasketballanal­ lawmakers reportedly asign ofthe high stakes in “confidentthese changes hadpromised to defund coverthe rising costs of ogy, Brady said on CNBC’s swayed by Trumpwas Thursday’svote. will set AHCAupfor suc­ Planned Parenthood, the their Medicaid patients. It “Squawk Box”onTuesday, Texas Republican Roger Countering the appeals cessinthe House,” usingan women’s health carenet­ also would allow the states “weare drivingthe ball way Williams, whotold report­ of Trumpand other party acronym for the American work thatprovides abor­ to impose work require­ down the court,makingit ers afterward thathefelt leaders are several grass­ Health CareAct,the formal tionservices. ments for able­bodied easyfor theSenate to com­ “positive”aboutthe bill.A roots and tea party groups titleofthe bill. Medicaid recipients, while plete the shot.” spokesman for Williams, insisting on the immedi­ Thepackageofamend­ Faster Medicaid cuts increasing the annual in­ While some hard­right R­Austin, however, saidhe aterepeal ofObamacare, ments they proposed Thechangesalso ad­ flationratefor spendingon conservatives have pressed remained uncommitted on rather than the three­stage would speed up repeal of dress conservatives’objec­ the elderly anddisabled. for abill thatremovesall of Tuesday. process outlined by Ryan, some Obamacare taxes, tions thatthe Affordable Another changewould Obamacare’sinsurance Other Texas Republi­ whohas argued thatRe­ pave the wayfor more Care Act’sMedicaidex­ require enrollees under mandates, including pro­ cans whose offices termed publicans are limited —at generous tax credits for pansion wouldbecut back the Medicaid expansion to tectionsfor pre­existing them undecided or still leastfor now—tochanges older Americans with high too slowly.New provisions renewtheircoverage every medical conditions, the studying the bill Tuesday allowedbySenate budget health care costs, and al­ would unwind the expan­ six months, twice as often WhiteHouse and Repub­ were Reps. Pete Olson, of rules to avoidalikelyDem­ lowgreater tax write­offs sion more quicklybyre­ as under Obamacare. lican leaders have sought Sugar Land, Brian Babin, ocratic filibuster. for personal health care ducing funding for Medic­ Some of the changes also to portrayThursday’s vote of Woodville,and the expenses. aid beneficiarieswho enroll were aimed at conservative as atestoftheir commit­ Houston region’s Michael [email protected] In an offeringtosocial after the endof2019. They critics in the Senate,in­ menttoupendObamacare, McCaul, chairman of the [email protected] GOPbill wouldrequireMedicaidenrollees to renewtwice ayear

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE currentlaw. of the University of California, Wolf Faulkins, aresident of zen than Iamnow,Iwould be That change would inevitably Berkeley,Center for Labor Re­ Mariposa, Calif.,who enrolled in overwhelmed”byit, Faulkins, An under­the­radar provi­ pushmanypeople out of cover­ searchand Education. Medi­Cal in 2014asaresultofthe 61, said.“Iwouldnot be ahappy sioninthe Republican proposal age, at least temporarily, experts Theproposal to cut renewal expansion, saidthe proposed rule camper.” Buthewould complete to replace the Affordable Care say, and help GOP leaders phase timeinhalf is among other chang­ changeregarding renewal would the extra paperwork,headded, Actwould requirethe millions of out Medicaid expansion—akey es that seem onlyprocedural but addone more layertoMedi­Cal’s because his Medi­Cal coverage Medicaidenrolleeswho signed up goal of thepending legislation. could have aprofound effecton already considerable bureaucrat­ keeps him alive: Among other under the Obamacareexpansion “That’sdesignedtomove peo­ Medicaid enrollees’ health, pock­ ic requirements, noneofthem things, he hasaheartcondition to renewtheircoverage everysix ple off those rollsassoon as pos­ etbooksand ability to get—and logical or simple. and highblood pressureaswell months—twiceasoften as under sible,” said KenJacobs, chairman keep ­coverage. “IfIweremore of aseniorciti­ as kneeand handailments. Reaction at A&Mmostly positive

Reaction from page A1 from Houston. dents. “It’snicetobeable Butseveral students rec­ to seeyourself inanelected “CALLING IT fraternityletters, walking ognized — or hoped —that position, likethe campus is amidcentury­oldtrees and Brooks’election would progressing,” he said. greeting one another witha show those on andoffcam­ Brooks, whowas born cheery“Howdy!” pus thatdespite A&M’s in Houston, recalls coming ADAY.” Steeped in militarytra­ conservative reputation, it’s out slowly as afreshman dition, TexasA&M wasan homefor diverse students, and said he hopes LGBT all­maleschool for nearly with differentraces, back­ students in the future can acenturybefore enrolling grounds and, yes, sexual accept their sexuality as women and nonwhite stu­ orientations. an important partoftheir AFOREIGN dentsduring the civil rights A&Mhas grownby identity —apartthat’snot era. Theuniversity’sGay thousands of students over antithetical to being an Ag­ StudentServices only won the lastfew years, which gie. the university’sofficial rec­ inherentlybringspeople “(LGBT) students find it CONCEPT ognition in 1985 after anine­ with new experiences and easy,Ithink, to avoidtheir year legal battle. backgrounds into theAggie sexuality sometimes,” he network, saidsophomore said. ‘ClosetStation’ Ethan Smith. TO ASMALL Today, acceptance isn’t Several moments this ‘Wecan be whoweare’ everywhere.SomeLGBT year have brought visibility Brookslookeduptohis students call A&M’s city and prominence to LGBT father,aproud A&Mgrad­ “Closet Station”and say students at A&M. Former uate and Vietnam veteran, BUSINESS OWNER. theywould hesitatetohold Houston Mayor Annise as achild. One of his older asame­sex date’s hand on Parker and “OrangeIsthe brothers attended the uni­ campus. Brookshimself NewBlack”star LeaDeLar­ versity, too. saidhewas calledagay slur ia, both lesbian activists, He beganacceptinghis and physicallythreatened have spoken on campus. sexuality the summer be­ by amember of an oppos­ This fall, for the first time fore college duringastudy ing campaign when driv­ sinceatleast2011, the uni­ abroadprogram in Nor­ ing back to campus after a versity wasnot included in mandy,France. spring break triptoFlorida thePrincetonReview’san­ “Inmyhometown, Iwas lastweek. nual ranking of unfriendly locked into this person that Brooksdidn’t promote universities for LGBT stu­ the community hadbuilt his sexuality during the dents. up,” he said. “When Igot campaign in speeches or to France,there were noex­ on social media, though Support fordiversity pectations of me.Ibecame he’s beenopen about be­ Brooks’election was more proud of it.” ing gayfor years with his one of thosemoments.On In hisfirstsemester at peers, friends and family. Monday, thestudentnews­ A&M, he came outtoafew MONSMONSTERTERANDAND[PARCHRON.COTNER NAMME] Instead, his runfocused paper article announcing gaystudents,and soonaf­ on improving diversity his victory satonatable in ter, he opened up to close ARAREEHHEREERETOHTO ELHELPPYOUYOUBE YOBEURYOURBEST.BEST. issues, boosting student the LGBT studentcenter, friends, and then his fam­ services, keeping costslow tuckedintoabuilding near ily. By junior year,“it was and strengtheningrelation­ the heart of campus with basicallyworking knowl­ Together,M,Monsonsterteraandnd Chron.com(PARTNER NAMhaveE) have shipswithfaculty. rainbowand pink­and­ edge for those whocared to He earned an endorse­ blue flags taped to itswin­ know,”hesaid. ththeettechnologyechnology,,rresoesources,urces, andandggritritttoohhelpelpyyouou mamakeke mentfromthe Corps of dows. He feltconfidentenough ththeerrightight locallocalhhiresires foforryyourouruuniquenique bubusinesssinessnneeds.eeds. Cadets for acampaignthat “There are anumber to lean into thatkissin BeBecausecausewweekknownowyyouou neneververstostoppwworkingorking totofifindnd focusedonrules,integrity of thingsthatstudents November in Kyle Field’s ththeebbestestppeopleeople forforyyourourbbusiness.usiness. AnAnddnneithereither do wewe.. and hard work.Brooks are seeing unfold around studentsection, after a wonthe race with 29.4 per­ them thatreallypromote two­hour drive to College centofthe first­round vote. an A&Mthatisinclusive Station to meet hisdatefor FiFindnd bebettertterwwithith MoMonsternster & (P&CARTNhron.com.ER NAME). Thefront­runner,with34.7 and is supportive of diver­ afootball game. ViVisitsit[chron.com/jobsCOBRANDURL]togtoetgetstarstarted.ted. percent, wasdisqualified sity,” said ChadMandala, TheAggiesscored and a by electionofficials. program coordinator at cannon fired, and couples Many students learned A&M’sLGBT studentcen­ aroundthe stadium—in­ heisgaythroughafront­ ter.“That,Idon’t think, cluding Brooksand hisdate page studentnewspaper thathas always been the —embraced. article published Monday, wayfolks envisioned the “Wewere comfortable. shared hundredsoftimes campus.” We were happy,”here­ onlinewithmanypositive CalebArmstrong, a calledMonday. “Wecan be comments. 22­year­oldseniorfrom whoweare here.Itwas a Students interviewed Houston whoservesas smallvictory, butavictory Mondaycalled Brooks’ presidentofstudentsup­ allthe same.” sexuality anonissue. port groupLGBTQ Ag­ “Super dope,” saidMill­ gies, said he hopes Brooks [email protected] er Walsh, asophomore “shows up”for LGBT stu­ twitter.com/lindsayaellis A16 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xx

John C. McKeon Nancy C. Barnes Jeff Cohen Publisher and President Executive VP /Editor Executive VP /Executive Editor Editorialpages Jack Sweeney Vernon F. Loeb VeronicaFlores-Paniagua Founded 1901 •AHearst Newspaper Chairman Managing Editor Outlook Editor FBI vs.Trump Independentcommission should investigate possible campaign ties with Russia. “The FBI as part of our coun­ as an adviser on the Trump terintelligence mission is investi­ campaign and, during election gating the Russian government’s season, communicated with people efforts to interfere with the 2016 involved in the leaking of stolen presidential election. And that emails. Stone wasincontact with includesinvestigating the nature WikiLeakseditor­in­chief Julian of anylinksbetween individuals Assangeand the hacker known as associated with the Trumpcam­ Guccifer 2.0, whobyStone’s own paign and the Russian government admission “may or maynot be a and whether there wasany coor­ Russian asset.” dination between the campaign There’s also Paul Manafort, and Russia’sefforts. As with any Trump’sformer campaign counterintelligence investigation, manager, whoreceivedmillions in this will also include an assess­ off­the­bookspayments from allies mentofwhether anycrimes were of Russian PresidentVladimir committed.” Putin. He faces freshaccusations With those words on Monday, of attempting to launder payments LETTERS FBI Director James B. Comey sent from Putin­tied Ukrainian ashock throughAmerica. Our politicians throughoffshore Trump’sproposed budget nation’s highestlaw enforcement accounts in Belize and Kyrgyzstan. agency has reason to believe that Trump’sformer national Applause please ridiculous than reducing Democrat, whose budget individuals in the Trumpcam­ security adviser MichaelT.Flynn the protections for clean wasevengiven consider­ paign mayhavebeen working with waspushed out of his position Regarding “Texas air and water,climate ation by Congress much Russia to sabotage the 2016 elec­ after being caught in alie about impact: Cuts could changemitigation, indus­ less approvalaswritten. crushmedical, scien­ trial safety,national lands Having said that, I toral process. his relationshipwiththe Russian tific researchand hurt and wildlife,safe food, think thatthe approach to This haunting news has Demo­ ambassador. And Carter Page, poor families” (PageA1, and myriadother aspects reductions in our bloated crats calling for ahalt to business aTrump policy adviser,left the Friday),Ithink we should of our dailylife; yetsimul­ bureau­ as usual in Washington —votes campaign after facing scrutinyfor applaud the newbudget taneously wasting money cracies is on Supreme Court candidate Neil his Russia connections. for trying to getspending on aresentment­inducing more than Gorsuchcan wait until, they say, Trumphimself faces questions under control. but otherwise useless needed. the FBI completes itsinquiryinto about accepting money from ScottAulds,Richmond border wall and increas­ Think ing the size of amilitary about the (and possible indictments of) Russian sources. Arecent Odd reductions thatalready costs more twomost PresidentDonald Trumpand his investigation by Reuters found than the combined totals affected, allies. nearly $100 million worth of Theworld’s richest of the militarybudgets of Trump the Envi­ Republicans, however, property in Trump­branded countrycutting social ser­ the sevennations with the ronmental responded to Comey’stestimony towers in southern Florida vices thathelp the most next largest expenditures. Protection Agency and by focusing on the leaksthat waspurchased by at least63 vulnerable while increas­ Mary LeeJohns,Houston the StateDepartment. The brought the investigation to public individuals with Russian passports ing the militarybudget EPAemploys more than is trulyshameful. We are Cuts needed 15,000 people with an an­ attention. Imagine if Congress had or addresses. That doesn’t include entering trulydarktimes. nual budget of more than responded to BobWoodwardand opaquelimited liability companies Thomas Bickham, Houston Theentire worldhas $8 billion. CarlBernstein’s Watergate reports thatpurchased nearly one­third itsknickers in awad TheState Department by trying to prosecute their secret of all the units in the newTrump­ Safetynets overPresidentDonald employs 24,000 employ­ source known as Deep Throat. branded buildings. Trump’sinitial budget ees plus 45,000 Foreign That political instinct to put party In the middle of this continuing Regarding “Budget proposal. Get agripfolks. Service staff at overseas aheadofcountryonlyundermines FBI investigation, voters should guts nearly all but This is the firstshot in posts with abudget of $26 defense”(PageA1, negotiation. Anyone who billion plus another $21 the pursuitofthe truth. The be shockedthatthe presidentstill Friday),PresidentDonald has ever been involved in billion for international smartestthing thatCongress refuses to fullydivesthimself from Trump’sbudget makes the process knows that distributions. can do is to depoliticize this his private company. Thenation it clear thathehas no initiallythe demands and Aclose look at each investigation by putting it firmly faces acrisis of confidence thatthe interestinprotecting the the firstresponses are un­ and everyfederal depart­ in the hands of anonpartisan, presidentand his allies do nothing American people.This is realistic and wayfar from mentissorelyneeded. independentcommission. to assuage. just abudget for someone where everyone knows One would think that Each slow drip­drip­dripof “One of the thingsweradiate whowants to swagger the process will eventu­ there might be some sav­ around as an everbigger allylead. Besides all that, ingstobefound. information makes this scandal to the worldisthe importance of bully. whocan remember past Kent Marshall, look more and more likea21st our wonderful, often messy, but Nothing could be more presidents, Republican or Missouri City centuryreboot of the Watergate free and fair democratic system, crisis. Then, as now, information and the elections thatundergird wasstolen from the Democratic it,” Comey said on Monday. “So National Committee.Justreplace when there is an effort by aforeign Mauled by theinternet a1970s third­rate robberywitha nation­state to mess with that, to the United States, apartial travelban makes no sense.Itis not the smart way 2016 phishing and hacking.Even destroythat, to corruptthat, it is Regarding “Northwest Mall fallsto to makeour countrysafer and is awaste one of the characters from Richard very,veryserious. It threatens stagnatingretail”(Page A1, March15), of time and resources. Nixon’sfelonious rogues gallery what is America. And if any anyone whoroutinelyreads the Business After 9/11did the Bush administration makes areappearance. Americans are part of thateffort section knows that therehas beenasea­ call for atravelban?No. What secu­ RogerStone,once amember it’s averyserious matter.” changeinthe retail business. Brick­and­ rity measures were taken?Heightened of Nixon’smoney­laundering TheFBI is raising questions mortar stores and bigmallsinparticular airport security.All passengers from Committee to Re­elect the about the very soul of the White are suffering from sales lossestointernet international flightsmustpass through competitors. So,it’sobvious that theclos­ customs and airport security.Thatis President, finds himself in the House,and the American ing of Houston’s Northwest Mall is just where youfind and detain terrorists. It public spotlight as atargetofthe people deserve anonpartisan, another casualty,among many, of this has been effective in preventing another FBI investigation. He worked independentanswer. businessupheaval. ButIwonder. 9/11for the past15years. U.S. 290should be my preferred route G. Wayne Baggett, Friendswood into Houston. Iavoid it if at all possible. Theinterminable construction andatten­ All in thefamily Studenthunger dant delays make this roadwayanight­ mare.How much did the glacialpace Regarding “Trump in­laws, Chinese of construction contribute to themall’s companynear $400 million agreement” Something is wrong when community demise?Idon’t know.But IamverygladI (PageB7, Business), let me see if Iget this don’town aretail business alongU.S.290. straight:The familyofJared Kushner, collegestudents are going to class hungry. Louis DuPree,Magnolia PresidentDonald Trump’ssenior White House adviser and son­in­ Over ahalf­centuryago,Abraham the Houston Food Bank.The foodbank Asorethumb law, justreceiveda$400 Maslow came up with amotivational is working with San Jacinto College, Bra­ million “life preserver” theoryinpsychology, usuallyrepresent­ zosport Collegeand Lone Star Collegeto Regarding “Thumbsup, down”(Page from aChinese company ed as apyramid, thatargues thatbefore develop food scholarships thatprovide A17, 11), it is hardtounderstandwhy with close ties to the Chi­ people are able to meet higher needs, food throughcampus pantries. Rice Tilman Fertitta earneda“thumbs down” nese governmentthatwill such as astable marriage, friendshipand University has partnered with the food forspeaking againstthe ridiculousSan keep them from foreclo­ intellectual achievement, they have to bank to evaluatewhether food­insecure Franciscolabor lawthatrequires all sure on an office building have their basic needs met. Thelow­ students whoget asteady source of food businesses operatinginthe city to spend Kushner they own. And we can estneeds in his hierarchy include food, are more likelytocomplete school. aprescribed amount on each employee’s expect tough, critical water and air. Sixty­five percentofthe 55 million health insurance whoworks eight or advice on matters affecting China from It doesn’t takeadeep thinker like jobs produced in the coming decade will morehours per week. Kushner to his father­in­law?Right! Maslow to recognize thatsomething is require some kind of higher education At atimewhen the oilbustcaused John Turnquist, Magnolia wrong when manycommunity college or training,according to aGeorgetown thousands of jobs to be lost in the Hous­ students in our countryare going to University study. Ye t, it’s justcommon ton area,Fertitta began construction ona Attention-seekers school hungry. sense thatit’shard to pass the hurdles of newhoteland opened restaurants while Theproblem is pervasive.According collegeand improve your employment continuingtoemploypeople in all of his Regarding “Spring breakers chant to arecentcomprehensive survey out of prospects when youdon’t knowwhere many establishments across thearea. In ‘Build thatwall!’ during cruise”(Chron. the University of Wisconsin, 2in3stu­ your next meal is coming from. addition,Fertitta workshardtomake com, Tuesday),the article says they dentsattending community collegeare “Wedonot always realize the dra­ sure theUniversity of Houston is recog­ are spring break kids. There it is. Kids. food insecure and 1in3are hungry. matic impact thatgroceries can have on nizedasamajor university and in aclass Wanting to be adults but still ignorantof Thesurvey—whichcovers 70 com­ our educational system,” an accounting where it belongs. the worldaround them. munity colleges in 24 states including major in her mid­50s whoreceiveda He certainlydeserves better. JaySwartout, posted via Facebook Texas —found hunger geographically food scholarshipthroughthe Food for Phyllis Kingsbury,Galveston distributed all overthe country, not just Changeprogram while at Lone Star Col­ in urban communities. legeNorth Harris said about the benefits Travel ban and safety LETTERSPOLICY Gov. Greg Abbott has adopted the goal of the program. VIEWPOINTS C/OHouston Chronicle thatby2030 at least60percentofTexans If our statecan help students com­ Is atravelban reallynecessary? Will P.O. Box4260,Houston, Texas 77210 ages 25 to 34 will earn apost­highschool plete their educations for living­wage it reallymakeour countrysafer? In my [email protected] certificate or degree.IfAbbott and the careers, there is abetter chance they opinion, the onlytravelban thatmight We welcome and encourageletters and e-mails from Legislature are serious about increas­ will be able to become self­sufficientand discourage terrorists from entering our readers. Letters must include name,address and ing Texas’ lowcollege­completion rate, avoidstepping back into line at food countryisone thatapplies to all coun­ telephone numbers for verification purposes only. whichiscurrentlyestimated by aWash­ pantries or SNAP offices in the future. tries, not justachosen few. If aterrorist All letters aresubjecttoediting. ington think tank to be around 40 per­ Thefood bank’s model —whichhelps wantstoenter our country, he or shewill centinsix years —they need to squarely students gettheir basic needs met — do so throughacountrynot affected by BIBLE VERSE face the reality of studenthunger. should become an integral part of the the travelban. This makes the current In God have Iput my trust: Iwill not Abbott and other policymakers can pushtodrive up Texas collegecomple­ proposed targeted travelban ineffective. be afraid what man can do unto me. start by scaling up amodel created by tion rates. Since youcannot restrict all travelinto Psalm56:11 xx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | A17 OUTLOOK Gorsuch’spoise steals the week from Trump Kathleen Parker says the president should be thankful thathis nominee for the Supreme Court is projecting enoughgrace for them both.

WA SHINGTON —Watching theSen­ their time questioningGorsuch’sindepen­ ateconfirmation hearingsofSupreme dence and fairness, repeatedlytryingto Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, one might gethim to signal whether he would vote easilyfind oneself wishing he were presi­ to overturnRoe v. Wade.Gorsuch said dent of the United States. nothingtoappease or agitate, pointing Alas, he’s not. ButGorsuch’sselection insteadtohis record of participation in to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia 2,700lower­court rulings.Healso made is thesanest actcommitted by apresident assurances that he takesprecedentseri­ whosefirst60dayshaveleft him with an ously,noting thatRoe hasbeen reaffirmed approvalrating under 40 percentand multipletimes. persistentquestions about his stability. Gorsuch’sstubborn (and ethical) re­ DonaldTrump should besending fusal to offer opinionsonprecedentspoke champagne to Gorsuch—for life —for directly to hisindependence.Toexpress projecting enoughgrace to benefit those an opinion, he said,would damage his whohaven’t aknack for it.This,obviously, credibilityand perception of fairness City Hall is losing sight wouldinclude Trump, whosefitful twit­ with future litigants. It didn’tseem that ter tantrums tend to overtakeany noble there wasany questionthatwould throw aspirationshemight pretend to.But then, Gorsuch off,which is what usually hap­ of pensions’big picture Ideludemyself. pens when one is secure in the truthand Theweekhas notbeenkind to Trump, confidentofone’s convictions. though he alone hasearnedthe text that But, importantly,all gottomaketheir By David Keller through deferring contributions. The will followhim into historybooks. Imag­ points, including the repellentSen. Rich­ city’s steady fundinghelped us achieve a ine knowing thatfuturegenerations will ard Blumenthal, D­Conn.,whose ownre­ With the deathearlier this month of littleknown but importantaccomplish­ readabout theTwitter­fevered illusion­ cord, frankly, should disqualify him as an Capt.William“Iron Bill”Dowling,who in ment: We arethe best­funded of allTexas istwho invented stories to distract the arbiter of judicial integrity. Here is aman 2013 lostbothlegsand suffered braindam­ pension systems with more than$1billion crowds, accusing his predecessor,Barack whocommitted one of the mostcraven ageinthe Southwest Innfire,thismight in assets.Setting us apart even further Obama, of wiretaps in the2016 presiden­ betrayals of his generation—not sex with seem an awkward time to bring up the fromthe city’sproposed solution for tial campaign. an intern, nor trafficking with prostitutes, city’srelationship with ourfirefighters’ theothersystems, we arenot asking for Imagine knowing what the worldnow but with stolen valor. pensionssystem.But perhapsit’saperfect proceeds from Pension Obligation Bonds knows —thatTrump’s paranoid fantasy Howdoesaman whoembellisheshis time to shine aspotlight on our concerns. to makeupforthe city’s previous short­ wasjustthat. Testifying Mondaybefore the militarycareer—implyingthathefought Our pension fund’s benefits supported funding.Wedonot want more debt for House Intelligence committee,FBI Direc­ in Vietnam when, in fact, he received five Capt.Dowling and his familyafter his in­ city taxpayers. tor James Comey said there is no evidence deferments before serving stateside— juries in service to Houston. We willcon­ Legislativecommittees this week began to support the president’sclaims. He also consider himself worthytoprosecute the tinue to do so in thefuture. Hiswidow will hearingsonHouston’s proposedpen­ said thatthe FBI is actively investigating qualificationsofone of thenation’smost not getamonthly Social Security check sion system adjustments. While gaining whether the Trumpcampaign hadany con­ brilliantjurists?When he didserve in the —firefighters don’tpay into that system. our mutual agreement is not required, nection to Russian operativesresponsible military, Blumenthal wasable to secure Our pension fund is allthatthe thousands the Legislature traditionallyhas served for the hacking of the Democratic National acushy position in the Marine CorpsRe­ of other brave menand Committee’s computers, the contents of serves(whichisnot to impugn hisability womenwho risk theirlives whichwere delivered to WikiLeaks. to meet theCorps’rigid physical require­ each daycan counton. Comey’sremarkthatVladimir Putin ments), where he wasgiven such jobs as To support our commit­ hated HillaryClinton so much that he was refurbishingachildren’scampground and menttoHouston and our trying to hurt her —and if it benefited running aToysfor Tots drive. emergencyworkers, the Trump, fine—seemed to dispel suspi­ Notthatthosearen’t important. city’sfirefighter pension cionsthatTrump himself hadanything to Blumenthaldid issue apublicapology system hasdeveloped do with Russia’sblatantinterference with in 2010, saying he hadmeantthathehad along­term diversified U.S. elections. But, whoknows?Comey served during thewar,which wasand is investing horizon.This wascareful to reveal as little as possible nonsense.Blumenthal, nonetheless, has matches up well with a about the bureau’sfindings. found thecourage to hitthe airwavesand workforce that is extraor­ So that wasMonday. brayhis intention to become Gorsuch’s dinarilydedicated,often Most of the focus Tuesday turned to Day fiercest opponent, promisingtofilibuster staying 20 or 30 years on 2inJudgeGorsuch’sconfirmation process. and demanding a60­vote majority,which the job. Amid much bluster and box­checking by he has declared the standard for Supreme Butour future­oriented Mark Mulligan /HoustonChroniclefile senators on both sides of the aisle,Gorsuch Court nominations. It isn’t,according to perspective doesn’t always MayorSylvester Turner lastyear touted aplan for continued to remind everyone whyhis WashingtonPostfact­checkers. sync well with theCity pension reform, but some on thefirefighters’pension peers, especiallyother judges, consider Gorsuch’s hearingshould reassure Council’s one­year budget board sayCity Hall isn’t beingfair to them. him as qualified as anyone could possibly Americans thatthere arestillgrown­ups goals, tied as they areto be.Calm and unflappable throughout, around whoare willing to serve.Itwas frequentlocalelections. TheLegislature as acheck­and­balance to discussions Gorsuchwore the face of someone accus­ alsoheartening to hear him say that “No in the pasthas helped us productively between acity, itsemployeegroups and its tomed to listening intentlywithout betray­ man is above thelaw,noman.” bridgethese gaps by requiring us to agree pension funds. When acityhas objected ing anypredisposition or bias. to incremental, consensualchanges.Given to benefits changes proposed by thepen­ Democratsnaturallyhad to set out their Parker’semail address is kathleenparker@ our strong financial position,especially sion fund or employeegroups, abill goes arguments for theirbase and spentmostof washpost.com. when comparedwithHouston’other sys­ nowhere. On theother hand, wholesale tems, we hadhoped thesame spiritwould benefits cutsproposed by acityseldom prevail at City Hall. Butasweare finding address yearsofintentional underfund­ in thecurrenteffort to change Houston’s ing,inaddition to alienatingaworkforce. pension systems,this is notproving to be Thosemeasures usually also are non­ the case. starters. Despite our workinghard with Mayor It is arealshameinthis timeofmourn­ Sylvester Turner andcitystaff for nearly ing forCapt. Dowling that thebigger ayear, it appears firefighters’ benefits will picture has been lostsomewhere at City be adjusted in amanner similar tohow Hall. We exerted significanteffort to come police benefits are being treated.The rub up with solutions and yetour large im­ here is thatpolice with thesameyearsof pactfulproposalschanging the status quo service and rank havefor decadesbeen were rejected. Thepolice and municipal paid substantially more than firefighters. employees systemshavefalleninline with Even beyond thatdisparity, it appears City Hall, for their ownparticular needs. our successful investment management of We hope theLegislature will acknowledge firefighters’retirementfundsalso willbe the differences between our system and punished. Thecitycalculates itslong­term the others and maintain itsrole as asteady, IOUtoour pension fund as being lessthan stabilizing handtoresolvethis disagree­ one­fifth what it owesall threeHouston ment. systems, yetfirefighters’ retirementfunds wouldpay for30to 40 percentofthe city’s Keller is the boardchair of the Houston totalcostreduction. Firefighters Relief andRetirement Fund Unlikethe othermunicipal employee and a23-year employee of theHouston pension systems,wenever agreed to Fire Department serving as Chief previous city effortstofill budget holes Communications Officer. Health care bill is athreattoTexaschildren

By Stephanie Rubin Congress passes the health care bill cur­ Texaskids Children’s health isdirectlyaffected and PatrickBresette rently under consideration. accountfor by anumber ofservices thatwouldbeon Yo umay have heard about the impact nearly 3out thin ice,suchasprenatal care for preg­ Afew weeksago,aburly policedetec­ the bill will have on the costofyour health of every nantwomen; preventive care thatkeeps tive in acoatand tie satatawooden table care,making private insurance even more 4Texans kids healthyand avoids costlychallenges with his wife and squirmy16­month­old expensive for many people, particularly if whorely on down the road; mentalhealth services; daughter,Sully, explaining to stateSena­ youhaveamodest incomeoryou’reover Medicaid coverage for kids in foster care; healthser­ tors what it meanttohear his little girlcry. 50.You mayalso knowthatitends the forcare vices in our neighborhood schools; and He described to the Texas Senate Fi­ “Medicaid expansion”for uninsured low­ they need EarlyChildhood Intervention for kids nance Committee the joyofhearing Sully wageworkers, an option thatTexas hasn’t to thrive. with autism, speechdelays or other devel­ cryfor the firsttime after shewas silent implemented. Thoseare some of the rea­ opmental delays anddisabilities. for the firstfew months of life.Since then, sons the Congressional Budget Office esti­ Qualityhealth care,especiallyduring Sully, whohas Down syndrome,has had mates that24million Americans will lose the firstfew years of life,isessential for manymore breakthroughs thankstothe their coverage by 2026 if the bill passes. Delcia Lopez/ healthybrain developmentand future family’shard work and the support pro­ Buthaveyou heardwhatthe bill would SanAntonio success in school. Forexample,research videdbySully’stherapists. mean for Texas kids whorelyonthe Med­ Express-News has linked Medicaid and CHIP eligibility ButSully’sfamily didn’t drive to Aus­ icaid program for the care they need? at birth to higher reading scores in fourth tin justtotell aheartwarming story. They TheHousebill fundamentallychanges whowould bear the direct bruntofthose and eighthgrade.Other researchties told the Senate budget­writers thatSully’s the successful wayMedicaid is funded decisions. Medicaid eligibility increases to greater progress, and the progress of other kids, today, establishing acap on the program These Texans are at greater riskthan success in highschool and college. wasnow in jeopardybecause the Legisla­ anddramaticallycutting Medicaid fund­ people in similar circumstances in other Thefuture of our statedepends on the ture cut Medicaid funding for therapies ing to states. According to an estimate by states. Because Texas spends less on Med­ success of our children, and our children’s for kids with disabilities. the Center for Budget and Policy Priori­ icaid per beneficiarycompared to others success is directlyjeopardized by the And it wasn’t justSully’sfamily. Apa­ ties, those cuts would total $116 billion for states, Congress would penalize us, leav­ health care bill Congress is considering. rade of families has shared similar stories states overthe next decade,not counting ing our statewithasmaller shareofhealth Forthe sakeofSullyand millions of chil­ with the Legislature and in newspapers the cuts to Medicaid expansion for adults. care funding than other states. dren across Texas, we urge lawmakers to across Texas, provokingoutrage around In Texas, Medicaid essentiallyserves To be clear,these cuts would particu­ go back to the drawing board. the stateand regrets for manylegislators four populations: children, people with larly threaten Texas kids, whoaccountfor since they cut funding in 2015. disabilities, pregnantwomenand seniors. nearly three out of everyfour Texans who RubinisCEO of Texans Carefor Children. Unfortunately,Texanscan expect So when the statecutsMedicaidtoaccom­ relyonMedicaid for the health carethey Bresetteisexecutive director of Children’s many more cuts for children likeSullyif modate the newcap,these are the Texans need to thrive. Defense Fund-Texas. A18 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xx

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