MONDAY BRIEFING

The good . . .

House Rules: Many were waiting to see if Texas House Speaker Tom
Craddick, R-Midland, was going to hold a grudge after surviving a
challenge to his leadership from fellow Republican Jim Pitts of
Waxahachie. Craddick's selection of committee chairmanships would be
the primary indication of possible political revenge. Payback or not,
the Panhandle came out strong. Craddick announced Rep. Warren Chisum,
R-Pampa, as chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Panhandle Republicans John Smithee (Insurance) and David Swinford
(State Affairs) will also return as committee chairmen. Politics
aside, the Panhandle will have a significant influence in the House.

the bad . . .

School's out: New Mexico lawmakers are haggling over a requirement
that schools be notified about students who commit violent offenses -
primarily sexual offenders. A bill was discussed last week in the
Senate Education Committee that would require the Children, Youth and
Families Department to alert school officials when a student is
charged with a serious crime. Some lawmakers are concerned the law
could result in lawsuits against schools that take any action against
such students. However, lawmakers should consider that a victim or
family member might pursue litigation against a school district if a
school did nothing to prevent a serious crime. The argument also can
be made that the state has responsibility to alert a school about the
potential of a student to commit a serious crime. When it comes to
the rights of students to be safe vs. the rights of a criminal,
especially in terms of litigation, it may be better to be safe rather
than sorry.

...and the ugly.

Smoke Screen: A proposal by Texas state Sen. Bob Deuell,
R-Greenville, puts the state in a curious position. Deuell wants a
law allowing local authorities to set up a needle exchange program,
supposedly to reduce the spread of potentially fatal diseases such as
AIDS by drug abusers. According to Deuell, needle exchange programs
do not result in an increase in drug use, although how this is
possible needs to be examined thoroughly. What is ironic is Texas'
stance on smoking, with more cities and communities cracking down on
public smoking and the state jacking up cigarette taxes to
astronomical levels, primarily to reduce smoking. However, a needle
exchange program is acceptable? Curious.