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COLLEGE WORK-STUDY
‘Dreamers’ to be excluded Immigrants in public school will not be eligible for certain college programs By Meredith Hoffman A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas legislators are seeking to deny workstudy aid to immigrants attending public college under a temporary residency permit, a move that starkly contrasts
with a policy enacted 16 years ago that positioned the state as the nation’s most welcoming place for foreign-born students. Under the proposal, which is on the verge of clearing the Texas Legislature, only individuals eligible for federal fi-
nancial aid would qualify for the state’s off-campus, work-study program. That group includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents and refugees. It doesn’t include students who came into the country illegally as children and have a work visa
WHITE HOUSE
allowing them to stay longer, or immigrants granted permission to stay in the country because they were crime victims. It wasn’t immediately clear how many Texas college students would be denied services if the
Meredith Hoffman / AP
Dreamers continues on A11
Immigrant rights protesters chanting during a sit-in in Austin, Texas on May 1, 2017.
NATIONAL SECURITY
WHITE HOUSE: TRUMP'S DISCLOSURES TO RUSSIANS WAS ‘WHOLLY APPROPRIATE’ Susan Walsh / AP
In this May 8 file photo, then-FBI Director James Comey speaks to the Anti-Defamation League National Leadership Summit in Washington.
Trump allegedly asked Comey to shut down Flynn investigation Russian Foreign Ministry / AP A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — The White House disputed a report Tuesday that President Donald Trump asked former FBI Director James Comey to shut down an investigation into ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn. The New York Times reported that Trump made the request during a February Oval Office meeting. The newspaper cited a memo Comey wrote shortly after the conversation. Flynn resigned the day before the Feb. 14 meeting, after it was revealed he apparently had lied to his about the nature of his contacts with Russia's ambassador. The Times said Trump told Comey, "I hope you can let this go." The White House denied the report. "While the President has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country, the President has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn," the White House said in a statement. Trump abruptly fired Comey last week, saying he did so based on his very public handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe. The Justice Department declined to comment. According to the Times, Comey wrote in the memo that Trump told him Flynn had done nothing wrong. But Comey did not say anything to Trump about limiting the investigation, replying, "I agree he is a good guy."
This photo shows President Donald Trump meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on May 10, 2017.
McMaster: President shared publicly available information By Julie Pace, Vivian Salama and Julie Pace ASSOCIATED PRE SS
WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump's disclosure of classified information to senior Russian officials as "wholly appropriate," as Trump tried to beat back criticism from fellow Republicans and calm international allies increasingly wary about sharing their secrets with the new president. The highly classified information about an Islamic State plot was collected by Israel, a crucial source of intelligence and close partner in the fight against some of the America's fiercest threats in the Middle East. Trump's
disclosure of the information threatened to fray that partnership and piled pressure on the White House to explain the apparently on-the-spot decision to reveal the information to Russian diplomats in a meeting last week. In a series of morning tweets, Trump declared he has "an absolute right" as president to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia. Although top aides on Monday had declared reports about Trump's discussions false, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Tuesday sought instead to downplay the significance of the information Trump revealed. The president had been engaging in "routine sharing" with foreign leaders, he said, arguing that
some of the information was publicly available. Still, the revelations sent a White House accustomed to chaos reeling anew. It is extraordinary for a president to share such information without consent of the country that collected it, apparently violating the confidentiality of an intelligence-sharing agreement with Israel. It was, perhaps, even more remarkable that Trump chose to confide in representatives of an adversary, who could use the information to find its source. A U.S. official who confirmed the disclosure to The Associated Press said the revelation potentially put the source at risk. The U.S. official told AP that Trump shared details about an Islamic State terror threat related to the
use of laptop computers on aircraft with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak. The official said the disclosure came as Trump boasted about his access to classified intelligence. An excerpt from an official transcript of the meeting reveals that Trump told them, "I get great intel. I have people brief me on great intel every day." The extraordinary leak of Trump's private conversations in the Oval Office appeared to be a direct consequence of the president's combative relationship with the U.S. spy agencies. The White House vowed to track down those who disclosed the information. The president's action Security continues on A11
Zin brief A2 | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
CALENDAR
AROUND THE WORLD
TODAY IN HISTORY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
LEGO Night. 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Branch Library, 1920 Palo Blanco. Free and family friendly. LEGOs, DUPLOs, and LEGO Robotics will be made available to the public for free-play.
Today is Wednesday, May 17, the 137th day of 2017. There are 228 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History: On May 17, 1792, the New York Stock Exchange had its beginnings as a group of brokers met under a tree on Wall Street and signed the Buttonwood Agreement.
SATURDAY, MAY 20 Laredo Area Retired School Employees Association officers and awards banquet. 11:30 a.m. Embassy Suites. Harry Potter Book Club. 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Branch Library, 1920 Palo Blanco. Free and family friendly. Children and adults are welcome. We will discuss “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J.K. Rowling.
SUNDAY, MAY 21 St. Patrick Men's Club steak asado plate sale scholarship fundraiser. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Patrick Church ground, 555 Del Mar Blvd. $5 per plate. For more information call, 956-324-2432.
MONDAY, MAY 22 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 LEGO Night. 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Branch Library, 1920 Palo Blanco. Free and family friendly. LEGOs, DUPLOs, and LEGO Robotics will be made available to the public for free-play.
THURSDAY, MAY 25 Landscaping with Native Plants. 6:30 p.m. Lake Casa Blanca International State Park Ranchito. Presented by George Altgelt, Sr., Soil Scientist, and Danny Gunn, Sr., Master Gardener. Free and open to the public. For more information, email: brushcountrychapter@gmail.com. Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society regular meeting. 3-5 p.m. Joe A Guerra Public Library, second floor. Speaker: Judy Jordan, "When It Rains It Pours; The Story of the Jordan Family.” For more information, call Sylvia Reash at 763-1810. Spanish Book Club. 6-8 p.m. Joe A. Guerra Public Library, conference room. Discussion of La Quinta Montaña by Paulo Coelho of Brazil. Power Point on Brazil. For more information, contact Sylvia Reash at 763-1810.
MONDAY, MAY 29 Chess Club. Every Monday, 4-6 p.m. LBV-Inner City Branch Library, 202 W. Plum St. Compete with other players in this cherished game played internationally. Free instruction for all ages and skill levels. Chess books and training materials are available.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 LEGO Night. 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Branch Library, 1920 Palo Blanco. Free and family friendly. LEGOs, DUPLOs, and LEGO Robotics will be made available to the public for free-play.
Ariana Cubillos / AP
A man peers from behind his makeshift shield carrying the messages "For my grandchildren" and "Free Venezuela" on a highway during a national sit-in against President Nicolas Maduro.
MORE KILLED, INJURED IN VENEZUELA PROTESTS CARACAS, Venezuela — Chaos erupted in Venezuela this week during another round of protests against the socialist government. Grisly videos captured much of Monday's violence. In a video purporting to show the final moments of one man left dead in the turmoil, a crowd surrounds a man identified as 33 year-old Diego Hernandez. He lies on the pavement, his eyes open and fixed. "They killed him!" someone screams. Monday's "sit-in against the dictatorship" began peacefully, but later in the day, demonstrators clashed with soldiers and police, throwing rocks and set-
McDonald's pulls UK ad that upset bereavement groups LONDON — McDonald's on Tuesday pulled a British television ad that was accused of using child bereavement to sell fast food. The ad, which began airing last week, shows a boy talking to his mother about his late father and wondering what
ting an armored truck on fire. State security officers unleashed a volley of tear gas and rubber bullets. Several buildings were set ablaze. Hundreds were injured across the country. The unrest is taking a mounting toll as Venezuela's opposition vows to step up near-daily demonstrations and Maduro shows no intention of conceding to opponents' demands. More than three dozen people have been killed. As many as 2,000 have been detained in nearly seven weeks of protests. — Compiled from AP reports
they had in common. They go to a McDonald's where the boy orders a Filet-o-Fish and the mother says, "That was your dad's favorite too." Bereavement charity Grief Encounter said it had received "countless calls" complaining about the ad. Its president, Shelley Gilbert, said "trying to insinuate that a brand can cure all ills with one meal is insensitive and shouldn't be a way to show that a brand recognizes 'the big moments in life.'"
The Advertising Standards Authority said it had received about 100 complaints about the ad. McDonald's said it had not meant to upset anyone, but "wanted to highlight the role McDonald's has played in our customers' everyday lives — both in good and difficult times." McDonald's said Tuesday it was withdrawing the ad "completely and permanently" and would "review our creative process to ensure this situation never occurs again." — Compiled from AP reports
MONDAY, JUNE 5 Ray of Light anxiety and depression support group meeting. 6:30—7:30 p.m. Area Health Education Center, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430. Every first Monday of the month. People suffering from anxiety and depression are invited to attend this free, confidential and anonymous support group meeting. While a support group does not replace an individual’s medical care, it can be a valuable resource to gain insight, strength and hope.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 The Martin High School Class of 1957 60th Reunion. Embassy Suites, 110 Calle Del Norte. Classmates wishing to attend should register by checking the class website at mhsclassof57.org or calling Irma Perales Mireles at 956-286-6385.
THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Why Invasive Species are So Invasive—An Ecosystem Approach. 6:30 p.m. Lake Casa Blanca International State Park Ranchito. Presented by Stephen Lange, Project Leader, South Texas Ecosystem Project, Chaparral and Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas. Free and open to the public. For more information, email: brushcountrychapter@gmail.com
MONDAY, JULY 3 Ray of Light anxiety and depression support group meeting. 6:30—7:30 p.m. Area Health Education Center, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430. Every first Monday of the month. People suffering from anxiety and depression are invited to attend this free, confidential and anonymous support group meeting. While a support group does not replace an individual’s medical care, it can be a valuable resource to gain insight, strength and hope.
SATURDAY, JULY 22 Laredo and South Texas Weather. 2 p.m. TAMIU Student Center, Room 236. Presented by Richard ‘Heatwave” Berler, Chief Meteorologist, KGNS-TV. Free and open to the public. For more information, email: brushcountrychapter@gmail.com
AROUND THE NATION Videos show quirks of Charleston church gunman CHARLESTON, S.C. — A week before the sentencing phase of his trial, Dylann Roof got a visit in jail from his mother, who pleaded with him to reconsider his decision to act as his own lawyer in the fatal shootings of nine black worshippers at a South Carolina church. But Roof was more concerned with the clothes he would wear to court. Since he could not have his first choice of his comfortable jail jumpsuit, he wanted two-tone gray pants, inseam 29, not 30, so they wouldn't hang over his shoes. He also wanted thicker sweaters. And he wanted his lawyers at the defense table for one reason. "So I can abuse them," Roof said with an awkward laugh in one of four jailhouse videos released Tuesday by federal
Grace Beahm / AP
In this file photo, Dylann Roof enters the Charleston County Judicial Center to enter his guilty plea on murder charges.
court officials. In the nearly three hours of footage from family visits, Roof laughed at his dad's jokes, tried to trick his mom into thinking he had tinsel and a stocking in his cell for Christmas and told his half-sister he would invite her to his execution. He also upbraided his mom for feeding his cats too many treats and
told his dad not to believe all of Donald Trump's promises now that he's president. He even cried, convinced he had syphilis despite extensive examinations by doctors. Recently released court papers indicate that the 23-year-old told a psychologist that he never had a girlfriend. — Compiled from AP reports
On this date: In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run; the winner was Aristides, ridden by Oliver Lewis. In 1937, Teddy Hill and His Orchestra recorded "King Porter Stomp" for RCA Victor's Bluebird label in New York; making his recording debut was trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. In 1940, the Nazis occupied Brussels, Belgium, during World War II. In 1954, a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision which held that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal, and therefore unconstitutional. In 1957, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his first national speech, titled "Give Us the Ballot," during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom in Washington, D.C. In 1961, Cuban leader Fidel Castro offered to release prisoners captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion in exchange for 500 bulldozers. In 1973, a special committee convened by the U.S. Senate began its televised hearings into the Watergate scandal. In 1977, the Chuck E. Cheese's fast food and family entertainment chain had its start as the first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre opened in San Jose, California. In 1980, rioting that claimed 18 lives erupted in Miami's Liberty City after an all-white jury in Tampa acquitted four former Miami police officers of fatally beating black insurance executive Arthur McDuffie. In 1987, 37 American sailors were killed when an Iraqi warplane attacked the U.S. Navy frigate Stark in the Persian Gulf. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow legal same-sex marriages. Ten years ago: President George W. Bush and retiring British Prime Minister Tony Blair held a joint news conference at the White House, during which Blair allowed not a single regret about the Iraq war alliance. Five years ago: Donna Summer, 63, the "Queen of Disco," died in Naples, Florida. Frank Edward "Ed" Ray, the California school bus driver hailed as a hero for helping 26 students escape after three kidnappers buried them underground in 1976, died at age 91. One year ago: Federal investigators concluded that a speeding Amtrak train that crashed in Philadelphia in May 2015, killing eight people, most likely ran off the rails because the engineer was distracted by word of a nearby commuter train getting hit by a rock. One of the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists from a Nigerian boarding school in April 2014 was found with a baby and was reunited with her mother. Guy Clark, the Grammy-winning musician who mentored a generation of songwriters, died in Nashville at age 74. Today's Birthdays: Actor Peter Gerety is 77. Singer Taj Mahal is 75. Rock musician Bill Bruford is 68. Singer-musician George Johnson (The Brothers Johnson) is 64. TV personality Kathleen Sullivan is 64. Boxing Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard is 61. Actor-comedian Bob Saget is 61. Sports announcer Jim Nantz is 58. Singer Enya is 56. Talk show hostactor Craig Ferguson is 55. Rock singer-musician Page McConnell is 54. Actor David Eigenberg is 53. Singermusician Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) is 52. Actress Paige Turco is 52. Rhythm-and-blues musician O'Dell (Mint Condition) is 52. Actor Hill Harper is 51. TV personality/interior designer Thom Filicia is 48. Singer Jordan Knight is 47. Rhythm-andblues singer Darnell Van Rensalier (Shai) is 47. Actress Sasha Alexander is 44. Rock singer-musician Josh Homme is 44. Rock singer Andrea Corr (The Corrs) is 43. Actor Sendhil Ramamurthy is 43. Actress Rochelle Aytes is 41. Singer Kandi Burruss is 41. Actress Kat Foster is 39. Actress Ayda Field is 38. Actress Ginger Gonzaga is 34. Folk-rock singer/songwriter Passenger is 33. Dancer-choreographer Derek Hough (huhf) is 32. Actor Tahj Mowry is 31. Actress Nikki Reed is 29. Singer Kree Harrison (TV: "American Idol") is 27. Actress Leven Rambin is 27. Actress Samantha Browne-Walters is 26. Actor Justin Martin is 23. Thought for Today: "I always have a quotation for everything — it saves original thinking." — Dorothy L. Sayers, English author (1893-1957).
CONTACT US AROUND TEXAS Family: Texas child hospitalized without parental approval DALLAS — The family of a 7-year-old Dallas boy says his recent outburst at school led to police handcuffing him and placing him in a behavioral health facility without parental
notification. An investigator hired by the family's attorneys, David Ramirez, said Tuesday that the boy has hyperactivity and mood disorders. Ramirez says the boy became upset at his charter school on May 9, and his school called Dallas Independent School District Police. Ramirez says the boy's mother was told later that her son was in the Dallas Behavior-
al Healthcare Hospital. Ramirez says the boy was sedated and not released until Monday. A school district spokeswoman declined comment Tuesday. School district police and hospital officials didn't return messages seeking comment. Ramirez says the boy's outbursts are often triggered by teasing by other children. — Compiled from AP reports
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THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 |
A3
LOCAL
Cornyn says he won’t be new FBI director By Mary Clare Jalonick A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — Texas Sen. John Cornyn has told the Trump administration he isn’t interested in serving as FBI director, the second member of Congress to take himself out of the running this week. Cornyn, a former Texas attorney general and judge on the state supreme court, was interviewed for the position after President Donald Trump abruptly fired James Comey last week. But Cornyn said in a statement Tuesday that he would rather remain in the Senate. “Now more than ever the country needs a wellcredentialed, independent FBI director,” Cornyn said. “I’ve informed the administration that I’m committed to helping them find
such an individual, and that the best way I can serve is continuing to fight for a conservative agenda in the U.S. Senate.” Another Republican whose name had been mentioned as a possible candidate, Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, said Monday that he had taken himself out of the running. A friend of federal appeals court Judge Merrick Garland, someone recommended by several senators, also said Tuesday that Garland is happy in his job and has no interest in leaving the judiciary to head the FBI. The administration has interviewed at least eight candidates to replace Comey, of more than a dozen being considered. Trump has said a decision could come before he leaves Friday for a trip to the Mideast
and Europe. In addition to members of Congress, the list includes current and former FBI and Justice Department leaders and federal judges. A source familiar with Cornyn’s thinking said the senator felt “obligated” to consider the job because a friend, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asked him to. The source declined to be named because the decision was private. Cornyn is the No. 2 Republican in the Senate behind Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said Tuesday morning that he’d recommended that Trump nominate Garland for the post. Garland’s name began to surface as a possible replacement last week when GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah suggested it on Twitter. McConnell’s comments on his recommendation to the presi-
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
In this May 10 file photo, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas talks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.
dent came during an appearance Tuesday morning on Bloomberg Business. President Barack Obama nominated Garland to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, but McConnell declined even to hold a hearing. Senate Republicans insisted at the time that the next president should replace Scalia. After Trump won the
election, the high court vacancy was filled last month by Neil Gorsuch. Garland’s friend spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Questioned about Garland later in the day, McConnell said he “illustrates the kind of person I hope and expect will come next, somebody with deep credentials in criminal justice and criminal justice en-
forcement, completely apolitical and in line with prior FBI directors.” FBI directors have predominantly been drawn from the ranks of prosecutors and judges. Comey, for instance, was a former United States attorney in Manhattan before being appointed deputy attorney general by George W. Bush. His predecessor, Robert Mueller, was a U.S. attorney in San Francisco.
6 children hurt Texas governor: Latinos should during preschool not fear the ‘sanctuary city’ ban science experiment By Paul J. Weber ASSOCIATED PRE SS
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
HOUSTON — Houston-area fire officials say six children have been hurt during a science experiment that caused a small blaze at a preschool. The experiment was being conducted Tuesday outside the Yellow School in Bunker Hill Village. The school is located inside Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. Memorial Hermann Hospital spokeswoman
Rhiannon Collette says the children are in good condition. Village Fire Chief David Foster says several other children were released to their parents who are taking them to their own doctors for possible care. Houston Fire Department Senior Capt. Ruy Lozano says an emergency medical team was sent to the school after children got chemicals on them.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says Hispanics shouldn’t fear being stopped and asked to prove their immigration status under a coming ban on so-called sanctuary cities unless they’re “suspected of having committed some serious crime.” Opponents fired back Tuesday that the law provides no such safeguards. It allows Texas police to ask about a person’s immigration status during routine stops.
Abbott, a Republican, signed into law this month what Democrats and immigrant rights groups call one of the toughest immigration measures in the U.S. The law takes effect in September and also threatens sheriffs with jail time they don’t honor federal immigration detainers. Abbott defended the law during a livestreamed Facebook interview with a Univision reporter. He said prohibitions against racial profiling by police will be “strictly enforced” under the law.
Marie D. De Jesus / Associated Press
This April 10 file photo, shows Texas Gov. Abbott.
Zopinion
Letters to the editor Send your signed letter to editorial@lmtonline.com
A4 | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
The abortion debate, again By Ken Herman COX N EWSPAPE RS
AUSTIN, Texas — It’s a discussion/argument/ shouting match that America and Americans have had ad infinitum and nauseum in the 44plus years since Roe v. Wade established the law of the land on abortion and roiled the lay of the political landscape on that perennial issue. The recent Roe v. Wade-related battle of Alvarado v. Schaefer was a concise, 6-minute Texas House floor reminder of where we are on abortion, which is about the same place we’ve been since Jan. 22, 1973, when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized it. Alvarado is Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. During a 2011 floor debate on a bill to make sonograms at least 24 hours in advance mandatory for women seeking abortions, she displayed a transvaginal wand to make a point about the intrusiveness of the procedure. Schaefer is Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler. In 2015, he pushed a measure to require a woman to carry a pregnancy, after 20 weeks, to term even if there was no chance the fetus would survive. The political and personal paths of Alvarado and Schaefer crossed at 2 p.m. during Thursday’s marathon House session, producing an as-if-needed reminder of how the two sides on abortion can talk past each other. Schaefer was on the front microphone and Alvarado was on the back one as he pushed an amendment concerning more frequent reporting of complications resulting from abortions. Alvarado reprised the debate America has been having for generations over abortions by asking if Schaefer’s measure would “put people’s lives at stake” via a provision that would put abortion providers’ names in reports. “I’m also concerned about the people who are affected by abortion. And that’s the mother and the child that dies. OK?” Schaefer said, staking out abortion-as-murder ground. Alvarado moved quickly to stake out the abortion-as-women’s-health issue ground: “You know,” she told Schaefer, “I’m always very suspicious, especially when a male brings a bill or an amendment that affects women’s health. Y’all seem to be so obsessed with women’s health. I wish that you would apply that equally and be equally concerned with men’s health.” Schaefer stepped on Alvarado’s final few words and said, “I wish you would apply it equally to age, because pre-
born women —” “What about men’s health?” Alvarado said. Schaefer: “What about boys and girls in the womb?” Alvarado: “What about procedures that men have?” Schaefer: “What about little pre-born women in the womb?” Alvarado: “Why are you just choosing to focus on women’s health?” Schaefer: “Why are you only concerned about women’s health after they’re born?” Alvarado: “I’m concerned about everyone’s health.” Schaefer: “Well, you’re not because you discriminate based on age.” Alvarado: “I don’t discriminate.” Schaefer: “You do.” Alvarado: “I do not.” Schaefer: “Then you would be concerned about them before they’re born.” Then both were warned by Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, who was standing in for Speaker Joe Straus, to keep their remarks related to the measure being debated. Alvarado said abortions have a “99 percent safety record” and other procedures carry 14 times more likelihood of major complications. That was an invitation to Schaefer’s core argument about abortion. “Representative Alvarado,” he said, “abortions are not at all safe for the pre-born babies. In fact, abortions are fatal.” Alvarado: “I’m sorry. I don’t recall hearing any reports of this. Has it been in the news? Has someone been investigated?” Schaefer: “Are you not aware that abortion terminates a life?” Alvarado: “I’m asking you to point out the facts and these are the facts that it is 99 percent safe.” Schaefer: “It is not safe for the baby. It is 100 percent fatal. This cannot be compared to a tonsillectomy or vasectomy. The purpose of a tonsillectomy or vasectomy is not to take someone’s life. The purpose of an abortion is to take someone’s life. That’s why we take it so seriously.” Then there was some more back and forth about vasectomies. “We have a lack of good data on this procedure,” he said. “We need to modernize it. We need to bring it into the 21st century —” And that was an opening for Alvarado. “I think you need to come into the 21st century,” she said as the speaker’s gavel ended the debate on the amendment but not on abortion. Ken Herman is a columnist for the Austin American-Statesman.
COLUMN
Cost of health insurance isn’t about fairness By Tyler Cowen BL OOMBERG NEWS
Should women have to pay more for health insurance than men? That has been a critical question for opponents of Republican health-care reform, and it requires grappling with the fundamental nature of insurance, market prices and fairness. Related are questions about how much older people should pay relative to the young, or to what extent individuals with preexisting conditions should be vulnerable to higher premiums. The Affordable Care Act limited the ability of health insurers to charge women more than men, and more generally imposed greater uniformity of policy prices. Under Republican plans, those provisions are repealed. The return of many decisions to the states would most likely mean more differential pricing, namely higher policy prices for people with higher expected healthcare expenses. After all, women’s lifetime costs are expected to be much higher than for men, by about $100,000 by one estimate. Let’s first consider the negatives of such a change in course from Obamacare. Insurance is fundamentally about the pooling of risk. If you are trying to cover $100,000 in health-care costs by buying a policy that costs you about $100,000, that isn’t really insurance at all. It’s merely changing who cashes your check. Differential pricing moves in this direction, and thus it limits one of the major benefits of insurance.
The Affordable Care Act limited the ability of health insurers to charge women more than men, and more generally imposed greater uniformity of policy prices. Under Republican plans, those provisions are repealed. Second, the higher health-care spending for women partly because of services related to childbearing. Society may have an obligation to help out babies (and mothers), plus they will someday finance our retirement, so let’s make childbearing easy. That said, governments have numerous means of subsidizing childbearing -direct payments, tax credits, free clinical services and public education -- and it’s not obvious that regulating insurance pricing is this best way to achieve this end. So what is there to be said for differential pricing? First, it doesn’t mean that individual policy prices exactly match individual spending. If many women are pooled together into more expensive policies, the women with especially high health-care costs are still subsidized by the women with especially low health-care costs. That is less gain for women than if they received an indirect subsidy from male policyholders, but much of the value of insurance remains. Second, uniform pricing increases the incentive for some insurance policyholders to try
to leave the system. To the extent that men are systematically subsidizing women, for instance, men will be less keen to sign up for insurance, even if there is a legal mandate. Many insurance companies think there is a preponderance of high-expense individuals on the exchanges, and so they have been withdrawing their participation, creating a sustainability problem for Obamacare. Under uniform pricing, men, or whichever group is paying the subsidy, will also be less willing to politically support such a regime. For all the moral arguments against differential pricing, health-care reforms must be politically sustainable, too. Uniform pricing also gives insurance companies less incentive to attract female policyholders. To be sure, as a matter of law the companies cannot turn women away. But if writing policies for women is less profitable, or perhaps unprofitable altogether, the insurance companies will allow or encourage their provider networks to evolve in a way that is more attractive to men than to women. Services for women, including for childbearing, might end up underprovided or
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letter. Laredo Morning Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. This space allows for public debate of the issues of the day. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-calling or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Also, letters longer than 500 words will not be accepted. Via email, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
stagnate in quality. That also would be a kind of differential treatment, with potentially dire consequences. Finally, not every health-care expenditure should be covered by government or by private insurance. All American health-care systems, including single-payer Medicare, embody that principle to varying degrees. Last year I spent about $250 on a yellow fever shot for a Nigeria trip. My health insurance should not picked up any of that tab; insurance ought to be for catastrophic expenditures, not routine reimbursements. One way to limit health-care costs is to have insurance policy costs reflect actual expected expenditures to a greater degree, thus encouraging employers and individuals to seek policies oriented toward catastrophic coverage. It also will mean a degree of differential pricing, if only to encourage economization at the level of policy choice. Keep in mind also that there is de facto differential pricing when there is any co-pay at all, even if policy prices are set equal up front. Many people consider differential pricing unfair or offensive. But short of complete reimbursement for everything, all health-care systems make pricing choices, whether transparently or not. The reality remains that some differential pricing is better than none at all, even if we haven’t figured out exactly where to draw the line. Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg View columnist.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 |
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CRIME & STATE Texan gets 2 years for fraud A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
DALLAS — Prosecutors say a North Texas man must serve two years in federal prison and repay more than $1.1 million for sales tax refund fraud against The Home Depot. Henry Lamon Spruiell of Arlington was sentenced Monday in Dallas. Spruiell in January plead-
ed guilty to using an unauthorized access device. Investigators say Spruiell, between mid-2013 and early 2016, defrauded 18 stores operated by the Atlanta-based home improvement retailer. Authorities say Spruiell used fraudulently obtained Home Depot tax exempt identification in his name. Spruiell pre-
sented the ID and copies of sales receipts from his purchases or for items bought by others, to get sales tax refunds via store credits or cash. Prosecutors say Spruiell and his associates also presented the same sales receipts at different Home Depots to get repeat refunds.
DPS: Driver in deadly Texas bus crash was intoxicated A S S O CIAT E D PRE SS
BIG SPRING, Texas — Authorities say the driver of a car was intoxicated when it was involved in a December crash that killed a person aboard a bus carrying West Texas high school cheerleaders. A Texas Department of Public Safety report says
59-year-old Sandra Dunson was intoxicated due to drugs and alcohol. A DPS spokesman says Dunson died in March, when the case was still under investigation. Dunson’s car was struck from behind by a semitrailer that then crossed the median and struck the small bus from
the Iraan-Sheffield school district, killing cheer sponsor Elizabeth Pope. The report says either Dunson made an unsafe lane change in front of the semitrailer or the semitrailer didn’t control its speed while traveling in the same lane as Dunson and struck her vehicle.
Texas Texas House OKs Senate immigration rules for revives transportation sector previously similar amendment in March requiring energy stalled firms to use E-verify as it AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House has voted to voted on a lager Texas ‘lunch Railroad Commission require contractors bill, which oversees oil working for the state shaming’ transportation and natural gas sector. departThe Legislature alment to increase efforts ready passed a separate, to refrain from employbill ing people in the country sweeping anti-"sanctuASSOCIATED PRE SS
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate has revived a bill to keep schools from stigmatizing children while trying to collect lunch debts from parents. Brownsville Democratic Sen. Eddie Lucio included prohibiting “lunch shaming” on a bill studying the cost of a universal school lunch program offered federally. His modified proposal passed Tuesday and now heads to the state House. Some students who owe lunch debts are currently denied hot meals like pizza and given cheaper options, including cheese sandwiches. Rep. Helen Giddings, a Dallas Democrat, introduced a House measure banning that. It went on an “uncontested” calendar for non-controversial legislation. But a few tea party-backed lawmakers blocked the entire uncontested calendar, protesting their own failed bills. That made Giddings declare, “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who harm our children.”
illegally. Tuesday’s 83-59 vote mandates that contractors and sub-contractors use E-verify, a program which lets employers check employees’ legal status. The rule was included in a larger bill regulating the transportation department. The House approved a
ary cities” law requiring local police to help enforce federal immigration policy. Outnumbered Democrats have opposed immigration crackdowns. But some have also argued that Texas is targeting immigrants while ignoring powerful industries employing them.
Artificial reefs off Texas coast seen as boon to marine life ASSOCIATED PRE SS
PORT O’CONNOR, Texas — Crews working six miles off the Texas coast have placed 700 concrete pyramids on the Gulf floor to form two separate artificial reefs that officials say will enhance the marine habitat and lure anglers and divers. Dale Shively, who leads the artificial reef program for the Texas Parks and
Officials say (the reefs) will enhance the marine habitat and lure anglers... Wildlife Department, says the last of the pyramids was put in place Saturday off Port O’Connor, an unincorporated community at the northern tip of Matagorda Island. The pyramids were
placed in water about 70 feet deep and have holes allowing fish to swim through and limestone that invertebrates can burrow into. The reefs are part of the department’s rigs-toreef program and Shively says they were placed near two abandoned oil platforms. The nonprofit Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation helped secure funding for the project.
Zfrontera A6 | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
FRONTERA
Tres Mesas genera energía renovable
Foto de cortesía
Foto de cortesía
El Gobernador de Tamaulipas Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca en el Parque Eólico “Tres Mesas” ubicado en el municipio de Llera.
Vista áerea del el Parque Eólico “Tres Mesas”. Tamaulipas aseguró 6,6 billones de dólares para construir ocho parques generadores de energía renovable.
Tamaulipas busca convertirse en líder creando energías limpias E S P ECIAL PARA T I E MP O DE ZAPATA
LLERA, Tamaulipas— Por su alta competitividad y potencial para generar energías limpias, Tamaulipas captará en los próximos tres años una sexta parte de los 6,6 billones de dólares adjudicables para la construcción de ocho parques generadores de energía renovable, informó el Subsecretario de Electricidad de la Secretaría de Energía (Sener), César Emiliano Hernández Ochoa. El anuncio lo realizó al inaugurar con el Gobernador Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca, las dos primeras fases del
Parque Eólico “Tres Mesas”, ubicado en el municipio de Llera, que con una capacidad de generación de casi 150 megavatios, permitirá beneficiar diversas comunidades de Tamaulipas y a suministrar energía a compañías del sector alimentario y manufacturero, de Ciudad Victoria y municipios aledaños. “Tamaulipas, y eso hay que subrayarlo, es la entidad a la que se van a destinar las mayores inversiones para la instalación de parques eléctricos renovables”, subrayó Hernández Ochoa. “Una sexta parte, 16 por ciento del monto adjudicado en los dos
RIBEREÑA EN BREVE
concursos, de 6,6 billones de dólares, se van a invertir en esta entidad”. Además, Hernández Ochoa dijo que Tamaulipas ha mostrado ser altamente competitivo frente a todas las demás entidades del país, en poder atraer el interés de inversionistas y esto es un testimonio del trabajo de las autoridades locales, de las instancias de seguridad pública nacionales, de las comunidades y de los municipios que están apoyando para hacer competitivo al estado. “Reconozco al gobierno del estado de Tamaulipas por participar de manera proactiva en el desarrollo de este tipo
de proyectos, que además de contribuir a las metas nacionales de generación limpia van a coadyuvar a la llegada de nuevos operadores que consolidarán la vocación energética de esta entidad”, dijo Hernández Ochoa. Por su parte, García Cabeza de Vaca, agradeció el apoyo de la Secretaría de Energía y de los inversionistas el apoyo brindado para la consolidación de este proyecto eólico. “Proyectos de esta naturaleza solamente se pueden concretar trabajando todos unidos, gobierno federal, gobierno del estado y los gobiernos municipales”, dijo el mandatario tamaulipeco
al señalar que su administración apoyará todas las acciones que se lleven a cabo para beneficiar a esta entidad. García Cabeza de Vaca destacó también que gracias a las acciones del Gobierno de Tamaulipas, existen más de 20 proyectos para la generación de energía eólica. En estas primeras dos fases, las empresas GBM Infraestructura y Goldman Sachs, invirtieron aproximadamente 234 millones de dólares y generará 148,5 megavatios gracias a la operación de 45 aerogeneradores. Una tercera fase del proyecto, tendrá una capacidad de generación
de 51,8 megavatios adicionales, con una inversión estimada a 80 millones de dólares, realizada por la empresa Engie. Durante el evento estuvieron presentes también el Director General de OAK CREEK ENERGY, Niels Rydeer; la Directora de Vestas México, Angélica Ruíz Celis; el Comisionado de Energía de Tamaulipas, Andrés Alejandro Fusco Clynes; el Director General del Grupo de Inversionistas, Santiago Ortíz Monasterio y el Comisionado de la Comisión Reguladora de Energía, Luis Guillermo Pineda Bernal, entre otros asistentes.
JAVIER VALDEZ
Pago de impuestos 1 Desde diciembre, los pagos por impuestos a la propiedad de la Ciudad de Roma deberán realizarse en la oficina de impuestos del Distrito Escolar de Roma, localizado en el 608 N. García St.
Prensa mexicana de luto por asesinato Por María Verza ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Pago en línea 1 La Ciudad de Roma informa a sus residentes que a partir de ahora el servicio del agua puede pagarse en línea a cualquier hora las 24 horas del día.
Caminata/Carrera 5 K 1 La Ciudad de Roma invita al Tributo a las Fuerzas Armadas con Caminata/ Carrera 5K iniciando en Guadalupe Plaza, el sábado 20 de mayo a las 8 a.m. a 12 p.m.
Laboratorio Computacional 1 La Ciudad de Roma pone a disposición de la comunidad el Laboratorio Computacional que abre de lunes a viernes en horario de 1 p.m. a 5 p.m. en Historical Plaza, a un lado del City Hall. Informes en el 956-849-1411.
Museo en Zapata 1 A los interesados en realizar una investigación sobre genealogía de la región, se sugiere visitar el Museo del Condado de Zapata ubicado en 805 N US-Hwy 83. Opera de 10 a.m. a 4 p.m. Existen visitas guiadas. Personal está capacitado y puede orientar acerca de la historia del Sur de Texas y sus fundadores. Pida informes en el 956-7658983.
Grupos de apoyo 1 El grupo de apoyo para personas con Alzheimer se reunirá en su junta mensual, a las 7 p.m., en el Laredo Medical Center, primer piso, Torre B en el Centro Comunitario. Las reuniones se realizan el primer martes de cada mes en el mismo lugar y a la misma hora. 1 El grupo Cancer Friend se reúne a las 6 p.m. el primer lunes del mes en el Centro Comunitario de Doctors Hospital. Padecer cáncer es una de las experiencias más estresantes en la vida de una persona. Sin embargo, los grupos de apoyo pueden ayudar a muchos a lidiar con los aspectos emocionales de la enfermedad. 1 Grupo de Apoyo para Ansiedad y Depresión Rayo de Luz. En Centro de Educación del Área de Salud, ubicado en 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430. El grupo se reúne de 6:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. en 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430, cada primer lunes de mes.
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO— Indignación. Impotencia. La prensa mexicana quedó tocada. Fueron doce los balazos que mataron al periodista Javier Valdez el lunes en Culiacán, capital del estado norteño de Sinaloa, según detalla RíoDoce, el semanario del cual fue cofundador. “Hoy nos pegaron en el corazón”, tituló este medio que el reconocido periodista contribuyó a fundar hace 14 años. “Es un golpe demoledor”, añadía su editorial. Los reporteros de Sinaloa y del resto del país alistaban actos de protesta desde primera hora de la mañana. “En México nos están matando”, escribieron una decena de reporteros a los pies del Ángel de la Independencia, en Ciudad de México junto a
la frase “No al silencio”, hecha con las fotos de periodistas asesinados en los últimos años. Valdez En otros lugares se repetía la exigencia de justicia. Algunos medios, como el diario sinaloense Noroeste o el portal Animal Político, optaron por poner en negro su sitio de internet con las fotos de los seis periodistas asesinados en México desde marzo y exigían justicia. “Las autoridades muchas veces atribuyen la responsabilidad de todos estos horrores simplemente al narco. Pero decir esto es una salida demasiado fácil”, escribió Jan Jarab en una columna del periódico La Jornada, del cual Valdez era corresponsal. Jarab es representante en
México del Alto Comisionado de la ONU para los derechos humanos. Valdez dedicó uno de sus últimos tuits al asesinato de Miroslava Breach, compañera suya de La Jornada en Chihuahua que murió en marzo. “A Miroslava la mataron por lengua larga. Que nos maten a todos, si esa es la condena de muerte por reportear este infierno. No al silencio”. Las autoridades facilitaron pocos datos del crimen aunque el fiscal de Sinaloa, Juan José Ríos, en una entrevista a Radio Fórmula el lunes por la noche, dijo que “se ha pretendido inducir un supuesto robo” pero que la actividad periodística de Valdés era una de las líneas de investigación “más importantes”. Por la mañana del martes, en el mismo medio, Ríos dijo
que se analizan datos recabados por varias cámaras de las autoridades y de comercios que podrían dar pistas sobre el ataque. “Lo mataron con saña”, escribe el semanario. “Los asesinos simularon el robo de su vehículo, pero le dispararon en 12 ocasiones con dos armas distintas. No tenemos ninguna duda: quien ordenó el crimen pidió a los sicarios que se aseguraran del objetivo”. El ordenador y el teléfono, añade este medio, no fueron encontrados en el interior del vehículo. El fiscal Ríos dijo el martes no tener noticias de que hubiera sido amenazado. Sin embargo, el diario La Jornada asegura que sí las hubo. La violencia se había recrudecido en el estado tras la captura y extradición de Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, del líder del Cártel de Sinaloa.
BURÓ DE MEJORES NEGOCIOS
¿Cómo elegir servicio de guardería? Por Miguel Segura E SPECIAL PARA TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Con el año escolar llegando a su fin, el verano está a la vuelta. Para los padres, elegir un servicio de cuidado infantil puede ser una decisión muy difícil. Uno tiene que considerar la seguridad, la asequibilidad y la conveniencia para el hogar, el trabajo y la escuela. El Buró de Mejores Negocios recomienda hacer preguntas y hacer su tarea antes de decidir el arreglo para usted y su hijo. Si usted decide trabajar
con una guardería, con alguien que ofrece servicios de cuidado en su casa o con un proveedor en el hogar (como una niñera), es importante verificar las licencias, certificaciones y asegúrese de que las comprobaciones de antecedentes estén en orden. Antes de decidir el tipo de cuidado infantil para su hijo, BBB recomienda que: 1 Compruebe primero el negocio. Si usted está buscando una guardería o un servicio de niñera, visite bbb.org para ver el perfil de evaluación de la empresa. Puede verificar con el Departamento de Servicios
para la Familia y de Protección de Texas, la agencia estatal encargada de otorgar licencias y registrar instalaciones de cuidado infantil en el estado, para verificar el estado de licencia de una guardería. 1 Visite las instalaciones. El lugar debe estar limpio, los juguetes y el equipo deben estar en buenas condiciones, y debe sentirse apropiado para la edad de su hijo. Asegúrese de que los baños también estén adecuadas para la edad y que los lavabos de manos sean accesibles para los niños pequeños. 1 Pregunte sobre los em-
pleados. Pregunte si se procesa una comprobación de antecedentes de los empleados y voluntarios. Asegúrese de que los empleados tengan la certificación de RCP y primeros auxilios. 1 Infórmese sobre las políticas. Pregunte sobre la política para castigar a los estudiantes mal portados. Los castigos deben ser apropiados para la edad y no corporales. Además, obtenga una copia de la política de pagos y el horario para asegurarse de que no hay cargos adicionales o multas por pagos atrasados.
Sports&Outdoors THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 |
NCAA FOOTBALL: TEXAS A&M AGGIES
A7
NFL: HOUSTON TEXANS
Texas A&M’s quarterback race could last quite a while Sumlin has 3 QBs to choose from
Bill Kostroun, Associated Press file
Houston signed offensive lineman Breno Giacomini who was with the New York Jets last season.
By Brent Zwerneman
Texans sign veteran tackle Breno Giacomini
H OUSTON CHRONICLE
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M's battle at quarterback between three players has the look of stretching well into August camp. "We've got three guys who are competing in a great way," A&M sixthyear coach Kevin Sumlin said on Monday of senior Jake Hubenak, redshirt freshman Nick Starkel and true freshman Kellen Mond. Sumlin, speaking on the annual SEC spring football teleconference, said the return of running backs Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford and an "experienced" offensive line should help alleviate the pressure off a new starting quarterback. "We return four guys who started on our offensive line," Sumlin said. "Which we didn't have last year." The Aggies finished 8-5 for a third consecutive season with a third consecutive unraveling in November, prompting Sumlin to replace longtime strength coach Larry Jackson with Mark Hocke, a longtime Alabama assistant strength coach and one-time Georgia head strength coach. "Mark Hocke has done a fabulous job," Sumlin said. "We searched the country and looked for a guy who I thought could impact us. ... He knows what (winning) looks like. His communication with me and our team
By Aaron Wilson HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle file
Texas A&M quarterback Jake Hubenak is one of the quarterbacks the Aggies are looking at potentially to be their starting quarterback in the fall.
has been nothing short of fabulous. "I think the impact is going to be substantial. It's been substantial since he's been here and it only gets better." As for those losses late in the season against admittedly stiffer competition in SEC play? "My job is to assess where we are and the things we're doing really good we want to stay ahead of the curve," Sumlin said. "The things we're not doing great, I've got to make some changes, and we did that.
Mark Hocke has done a great job – we'll see. There are (also) some things we've changed practice-wise that can help us. "There's no doubt we need to play better at the end of the season. We're pretty good at the beginning. But we need to finish." Sumlin said he's in favor of the new early signing period in December for college football, but that also should mean earlier in-home visits by coaches with prospects.
"I don't get to get in guys' homes in May," Sumlin said. "How do we get to know these guys a little bit better as we sign them early? To know what we're getting, and to know each other." And should a coveted player who claims to be committed to a program choose to bypass on signing early ... "You know he's not committed," Sumlin said. "He's got a reservation." Meaning recruiting will still stretch into early February regardless of some early signatures.
The Texans added some reinforcements for their offensive line Tuesday, signing veteran offensive tackle Breno Giacomini. Giacomini, 31, is a former New York Jets starter who played for Texans offensive line coach Mike Devlin in New York. Giacomini could wind up competing for the starting job at right tackle, with former starter Derek Newton out for the entire season after tearing both patellar tendons last season. Chris Clark struggled in a starting role last season when Newton got hurt. A former Green Bay Packers fifth-round draft pick from Louisville, Giacomini was cut by the Jets in February. He started every game in 2014 and 2015, but a back injury last season forced him to be placed on the physically unable to perform list. He was placed on the active roster in October, but hurt his back again in Decem-
ber and was placed on injured reserve after starting five games. The 6-7, 318-ppunder has started 70 of 78 career games played in nine NFL seasons. Giacomini has a previous stint with the Seattle Seahawks, starting for them before joining the Jets as a free agent. He started for the Seahawks in their Super Bowl XLVIII victory over the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, the Texans signed three rookie free agents following their rookie minicamp. That includes former Wisconsin running back Dare Ogunbowale, former Akron cornerback Bryce Jones and former Florida wide receiver Chris Thompson. They released former LSU running back and seventh-round running back Kenny Hilliard, former Central Florida safety T.J. Mutcherson, former Indiana offensive tackle Dimitric Camiel (Westfield) and former Memphis wide receiver Tevin Jones (Clear Creek).
OLYMPICS
USOC expenses included $10M to smooth friction for LA bid By Eddie Pells A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
DENVER — Tucked into the more than $257 million the U.S. Olympic Committee spent in 2016 was a $10 million payment to the International Olympic Committee designed, in part, to give the United States a better chance of hosting an Olympics someday - possibly in Los Angeles in 2024. That $10 million payment is for "International Games Cost Sharing" essentially, administrative costs for the Rio de Janeiro Games - and was part of a complex negotiation in which the USOC gave up millions to get back into the bidding game after years of embarrassing rejections. The USOC also paid $5 million in 2014 to offset
expenses at the Sochi Games. The overall tab will rise to $20 million per Olympic cycle starting in 2020. "We hope this has removed a road block from a successful bid for the United States," USOC chairman Larry Probst said, after agreeing to the deal in 2012. The USOC released its 2016 tax forms this week, and the $10 million payment represented about 3.9 percent of the federation's overall expenses. The USOC brought in more than $336 million - a typical surplus for an Olympic year - nearly $173 million of which came from broadcast rights and $121 million of which came from sponsorship deals, some of which came from a revenue-sharing agreement with the IOC. The revenue-sharing
deal hung over previous U.S. bids like a black cloud - an unfair bargain in the mind of many IOC members, who used it to justify votes against the United States in its humiliating defeats in the bidding for 2012 and 2016. But the USOC brings the biggest, most successful team to the Olympics, along with NBC and its TV deal - more than $12 billion for Olympics from 2014 through 2032 and there are many in the United States who believe the USOC was every bit entitled to special treatment. This quote, in one of former chairman Peter Ueberroth's farewell speeches in 2009, was widely cited as undermining the Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympics: "Who pays the bill for the world Olympic move-
ment?" Ueberroth said. "Make no mistake about it. ... U.S. corporations have paid 60 percent of all the money, period. Be sure you all understand that. The rest of the world pays 40 percent. It's pretty simple math." As Ueberroth's successor, Probst vowed to turn the USOC into a less heavy-handed Olympic partner, and he also vowed not to bid for the Olympics again until the revenue-sharing piece was resolved. "The negotiations in the past were designed at creating better relationships between the IOC and USOC, and I think we've seen, over time, the relationships have improved," USOC chief communications officer Patrick Sandusky said. "We can only benefit on and off the field of play
Eric Risberg / Associated Press file
U.S. Olympic Comittee Chairman Larry Probst made a $10 million payment to the International Olympic Committee designed, in part, to give the United States a better chance of hosting an Olympics someday.
with solid relationship with the IOC." Los Angeles is in the running with Paris for the 2024 Games - a bidding process that has turned into something of an embarrassment for the IOC, with three cities dropping out and the U.S. having to switch its bid city to Los Angeles after Boston residents rebelled against being a candidate. In July, the IOC will meet to consider awarding both the 2024 and
2028 Olympics. The final decision comes at its meeting in Peru in September. If both games are awarded, it would mean no "losers" in the bid process, though neither city is jumping at the prospect of getting a "win" for four years later than it planned. The decisions of the next few months will be as good a gauge as any as to whether the USOC negotiations were worth the trouble.
A8 | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
NATIONAL
Court OKs plan Dad tries to fathom why son for $380M allegedly killed his mother in Native American farmer lawsuit By Gillian Flaccus and Steven Dubois ASSOCIATED PRE SS
By Blake Nicholson A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
BISMARCK, N.D. — An appeals court panel on Tuesday approved a lower court's plan for distributing $380 million left over from the U.S. government's loan discrimination settlement with American Indian farmers and ranchers six years ago. The decision wasn't unanimous, however, with one of the three judges arguing that Congress should have had a say. President Barack Obama's administration agreed in 2011 to pay $680 million to settle a classaction lawsuit filed in 1999 by Indian farmers who said they were denied loans for decades because of government discrimination. The lead plaintiffs were George and Marilyn Keepseagle, ranchers on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, which straddles the North DakotaSouth Dakota border. Only about half of the 10,000 expected claims came in. In April 2016, a judge approved a plan for the leftover money devised by the two sides in the lawsuit that included an additional payment of $21,275 to each claimant and about $300 million to groups that help Indians. Two of the claimants appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, arguing that the entire $380
million should be divvied up among the class members. A three-judge panel on Tuesday voted 2-1 to uphold the district court's finding that the plan was "fair, reasonable and adequate." "We look forward to putting this money to work to support farming and ranching among America's first farmers," said Joseph Sellers, lead lawyer for the plaintiffs. "Native American farmers and ranchers who have been fighting for themselves and their families for nearly a decade can finally bring this case to a close." Circuit Judge Janice Brown disagreed with her colleagues, Judges Robert Wilkins and Harry Edwards, saying the matter "should be the decision of the people and their elected representatives." She equated the plan to "the executive branch raiding hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars out of the Treasury, putting them into a slush fund disguised as a settlement, and then doling the money out to whatever constituency the executive wants bankrolled." William A. Sherman, attorney for the two men who appealed the plan, said Brown's dissent "reaffirms our position that the judgment fund cannot be used in the manner contemplated" and that "there are plenty of issues for appeal."
ESTACADA, Ore. — An Oregon father is struggling to try to understand why his adult son allegedly decapitated his mother on Mother's Day and then showed up at a grocery store with her head, stabbing a clerk there until workers overpowered the man and police arrested him. David Webb said his 36-year-old son, Joshua Lee Webb, had vision problems and received Social Security payments but never showed any signs that he might be capable of the crime. Police described him as "catatonic" after his arrest. "I never foresaw a problem. If I had I would have stopped it," David Webb told The Associated Press before bursting into sobs during a telephone interview. Joshua Lee Webb decapitated Tina Marie Webb Sunday afternoon at the family's rural home in the once-significant logging town of Colton, about 40 miles south of Portland, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said. He then showed up at about 12 miles away at a small grocery story covered in blood with a large kitchen knife and carrying her head, authorities said. The mother had told David Webb that she believed their son was depressed, but the father said he never saw any indications of that when he spoke with his son. The parents recently
bought him a dog because he wanted one. "I just can't beJoshua lieve I lost Webb my wife and son in one day...I wish I had some answers, but I don't. I waited all my life to retire with my wife, and now I can't. That's all I know." An autopsy was performed Monday on Webb, 59. Her son was booked on charges of murder and attempted murder. After arriving at the store, Joshua Lee Webb
stabbed the store employee but was quickly subdued by other employees who held him until officers arrived, authorities said. The suspect told police only that he was thirsty, said Ernie Roberts, the interim police chief of nearby Sandy, Oregon, which provides police services for Estacada, population about 2,500. "He was in like a catatonic state, wasn't speaking to anybody," Roberts said. The grocery store checkout clerk was hospitalized and expected to survive. Customers on Monday
placed balloons as tribute in front of the store, lit candles near its parking lot and signed a large get-well poster for the worker. At Lew's Drive-In restaurant next door, where the supermarket's customers took refuge during Sunday's crime, owner Marvin Flora said the event was "traumatic, but it happened so fast that nobody really saw what was going on." "One lady came in this morning and said she actually saw somebody come in with something that was bloody and was carrying something with his arm," Flora said.
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THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 |
A9
BUSINESS
US housing fell 2.6 percent in April By Martin Crutsinger A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — Construction of new homes fell for a second straight month in April, pushing activity to the lowest point in five months. Housing starts fell 2.6 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.17 million units, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. That followed a 6.6 percent decline in March and left home building at its lowest point since last November. The weakness was led by a big drop in construction of apartments, a volatile sector.
Senate OKs limiting insurer liability on storm damage claims A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate has preliminarily approved a bill limiting liability for insurance companies sued by policyholders following storm damage, leaving the hot-button measure on the verge of heading to Gov. Greg Abbott. Tuesday’s 21-8 state Senate vote followed contentious debate and passage in the House earlier this month. The bill cuts penalties for insurers sued for offering too little money on storm claims, including wind and hail damage, while making it harder for those suing to collect attorneys’ fees. The proposal is opposed by trial lawyers, but backed by powerful conservatives who promoted past laws limiting jury awards in lawsuits against businesses. Supporters say the number of hail and windstorm claim lawsuits increased 1,400 percent in recent years. Democrats counter that Texans will have less recourse when insurers underpay claims.
Nevertheless, housing construction has been one of the bright spots for the economy. Analysts expect that the number of Americans seeking homes will rebound in the coming months, driven by strong employment gains and low unemployment. Applications for building permits, an indicator of future activity, fell 2.5 percent in April, the second decline out of the past three months. But some analysts noted that previous weakness in permit applications has proven to be temporary. "We should keep in mind that several other housing indicators have been upbeat lately and
Chuck Burton / AP
In this April 27 photo, a worker carries lumber at an apartment building under construction in Charlotte, North Carolina. On Tuesday, the Commerce Department reports on housing starts for April.
also that we previously have seen some temporary soft patches in the permits data that did not
derail the housing recovery," said Daniel Silver, an economist with JPMorgan.
In April, construction of single-family homes edged up a slight 0.4 percent to an annual rate of 835,000 units. Construction of multi-family units dropped a sharp 9.2 percent to a rate of 337,000 units. The weakness was led by a 37.3 percent plunge in activity in the Northeast and a 9.1 percent drop in the South. Those gains offset a 41.1 percent rise in the Midwest and a 5.4 percent increase in the West. While the overall economy grew at a lackluster 0.7 percent rate in the first quarter, the housing sector stood out with a solid 13.7 percent growth rate. Economists are
looking for housing to continue to support overall growth for the rest of the year. The National Associated of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo builder index rose to 70 this month, up two points from an April reading of 68. Reading above 50 indicate builders view sales conditions as good. The index has been above 60 since September and the reading hit 71 in March, the highest level since June 2005 during the height of the last housing boom. Even with construction running ahead of last year's pace, the supply of new and existing homes across much of the country remains tight.
Progress reducing the US uninsured rate comes to a halt By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar ASSOCIATED PRE SS
WASHINGTON — Five years of progress reducing the number of Americans without health insurance has come to a halt, according to a government report out Tuesday. More than a factoid, it shows the stakes in the Republican drive to roll back the Affordable Care Act. The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 28.6 million people were uninsured in 2016, unchanged from 2015. It was the first year since passage of the health care overhaul in 2010 that the number of uninsured did not budge. The uninsured rate for 2016 was 9 percent, an insignificant difference from 9.1 percent the previous year. When former President Barack Obama signed the ACA in 2010, the uninsured rate had been 16 percent. Tuesday's report suggests that the ACA was running low on gas in Obama's final year as president. Premiums for private insurance were about to jump, and 19 states continued to refuse the law's Medicaid expansion. Now, the number of uninsured could start climbing again under policies being considered by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. The politically un-
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
In this 2016 file photo, the HealthCare.gov 2017 web site home page is seen on a laptop in Washington.
popular GOP bill passed narrowly by the House would limit Medicaid financing and curtail subsidies for many consumers buying their own private policies. Republicans also would repeal the requirement that most Americans carry health insurance or risk fines, a much-disliked nudge to get healthy people covered. The legislation would lead to an estimated increase of 24 million uninsured people within 10 years, according to congressional analysts. Under "Obamacare," there are 20 million fewer uninsured since 2010. "It's disappointing that it's stalled out," said health economist Gail Wilensky, a Republican. "The real question is, will we be able to keep the gains that we have made?" Critical of the ACA and co-author of an alternative plan by GOP policy ex-
perts, Wilensky nonetheless supports the goal of expanding coverage. She's concerned about the impact of the House bill on Medicaid, the federalstate program for lowincome and disabled people. The new numbers come from CDC's National Health Interview Survey, which is considered an authoritative source, and publishes findings earlier than the Census Bureau. Estimates for 2016 were based on data for nearly 97,500 people. "It looks like we are kind of sticking a landing and holding on to the gains," said Katherine Hempstead, who directs research on health insurance at the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "To increase coverage, you would have to see more states take up the Medicaid expansion, and some reforms to increase take-up in the
individual (private) market." Could the number of uninsured start rising again? Absolutely, say both Wilensky and Hempstead. "This release is really timely because it just helps everybody focus on what's at stake," said Hempstead. The report found a significant increase in the percentage of people under age 65 covered last year through governmentsponsored insurance markets like HealthCare.gov. About 11.6 million (4.3 percent) had marketplace insurance in the last three months of 2016, compared with 9.1 million (3.4 percent) in the same period the previous year. States that expanded Medicaid were more effective at reducing the number of uninsured. Of the 16 states with adult uninsured rates significantly lower than the nation as a
whole, 15 expanded Medicaid. In that group, only Wisconsin had not extended coverage for lowincome people. Conversely, of the nine states that had significantly higher uninsured rates, only New Mexico expanded Medicaid. The CDC numbers do not reflect any changes directly attributable to Trump, who took office this year on Jan. 20. During the campaign and since, the president has made some big promises about health insurance, talking of coverage for everybody and much more affordable premiums and deductibles. But Trump has also embraced a GOP bill that would make more people uninsured, even if it delivers on his campaign pledge to repeal "Obamacare." And he's threatened to stop paying subsidies that reduce out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles for people with modest incomes. Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated, had promised to increase government assistance for private insurance costs, and also work to convince holdout states to expand their Medicaid programs. "This is really preelection activity" reflected in the CDC survey, said Wilensky. "It's news because people need to know we seem to have reached a plateau." What that will look like a year from now is unclear, she added.
A10 | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Roseanne’ returns with Barr as star By Lynn Elber A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
NEW YORK — "Roseanne," one of TV's rare working-class comedies, will return to ABC two decades after it wrapped its hit run and with star Roseanne Barr and the rest of the cast intact, the network said Tuesday in announcing its 2017-18 season plans. "The Conners' joys and struggles are as relevant — and hilarious — today as they were then, and there's really no one better to comment on our modern America than Roseanne," ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey said in a statement. The original series wrapped its nineseason run in 1997. Besides Barr as the Conner family matriarch, the eight-episode reboot airing in 2018 will feature John Goodman as her
husband, Dan, along with former co-stars Sara Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, Michael Fishman and Lecy Goranson. Sarah Chalke, who played Goranson's character, Becky, in later seasons, will appear in another role, ABC said. ABC is bringing eight new shows to its schedule next fall and moving several returning series around, including hit comedy "black-ish." The series that had been paired with "Modern Family" on Wednesday is strong enough to shift to 9 p.m. Eastern Tuesday to help launch a new comedy, "The Mayor," Dungey said. The freshman show stars Brandon Micheal Hall as a young rapper who unexpectedly wins a mayoral election in his California hometown. Another new comedy, "Alex Inc.," is set for the 2017-18 season but with a still-unannounced debut
date. Zach Braff stars as a radio journalist and family man who decides to turn entrepreneur. Less lucky is "Last Man Standing," the Tim Allen comedy that won't return next season. The show's ratings were modest but steady, but its fate was sealed when the network decided to discontinue its Friday night comedies, Dungey said in a teleconference Tuesday. The cancellation spurred an online petition on change.org protesting the move and extolling the show's "conservative values." Other shows that were axed include "Time After Time," ''American Crime," ''Imaginary Mary," ''The Real O'Neals," ''The Catch" and "Dr. Ken." ABC's lineup next season will be heavy on high-concept dramas and include one familiar reality series, "American
Idol," which the network called a "perfect fit" despite the lagging ratings and high costs that brought it to an end at Fox. Dungey defended the network's decision to air the singing contest in 2018, one day after Fox executives said they passed on a quick reboot as "extremely fraudulent" in light of the big farewell it got just a year ago. "From where we sit" it feels like the perfect addition, Dungey said. The contest offers "heartfelt stories about people who make dreams come true, and that's our sweet spot at ABC." Dungey said the show will have a "very clear ABC hallmark" with production details still under discussion, including when it will debut in midseason and whether Ryan Seacrest will return as host. He
Dan Watson / AP
This photo shows the cast members of "Roseanne," Michael Fishman as DJ Conner, seated from left, Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Barr, John Goodman as Dan Conner, and second row from left, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Alicia Goranson as Becky Conner and Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris.
recently joined ABC as Kelly Ripa's co-host on the daytime talk show "Live." Three new dramas are set for a fall debut: "The Good Doctor," starring Freddie Highmore as a young physician with autism and savant syndrome; "The Gospel of Kevin," about a troubled man who's instructed by a celestial being to save the world, and "Marvel's Inhumans." The comicbook based series will explore the story of Black Bolt, king of the inhu-
mans, and his royal family splintered by a military coup. Another drama set for a fall debut is "Ten Days in the Valley," starring Kyra Sedgwick as an overworked TV producer of a police show whose daughter disappears. ABC also said it's expanding its business with Shonda Rhimes. The latest series from the "Grey's Anatomy" producer is "For the People," a drama set in a U.S. District Court and coming in midseason.
Jimmy Kimmel set to return as host for 90th Oscars By Lindsey Bahr A P F ILM W RI TE R
LOS ANGELES — Despite his jokes that he'll never get asked back after the historic envelope flub at this year's Academy Awards, Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the Oscars once more. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday said Kimmel will return for the 90th Oscars with producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd, the team behind this year's ceremony. "If you think we screwed up the ending this year, wait until you see what we have planned for the 90th anniversary show!" Kimmel said in
the official announcement. It's an extremely early date to set the Kimmel host for the 2018 ceremony — Kimmel was not announced as the host of the 2017 Oscars until December 2016, and the previous year's host, Chris Rock, was announced the prior November — but film academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs told the Associated Press Tuesday that they were so pleased with the team that they wanted to "keep the momentum going" for the 90th.
"It's a big year for us," Boone Isaacs said. "It's going to be a big celebration, and it's wonderful to have a team that's experienced, and freshly experienced, and already has some wonderful ideas." Ratings for the 89th Oscars this past February were the lowest since 2008 with 32.9 million viewers tuning in, however, even with the drama of the envelope gaffe in which Faye Dunaway, reading an incorrect card, announced "La La Land" as the Best Picture winner. The snafu was corrected on stage, and "Moonlight" was given the award. Boone Isaacs acknowledged that dip in ratings
is "a little troubling," but she doesn't blame the team for the numbers. "This show was extremely well-reviewed, and we got so much positive feedback from the general public, as well as our members and certainly the board who are very excited about what they delivered for us," she said. Boone Isaccs expects the movies to help bolster interest this year. Interest may be up, too, in the aftermath of the envelope situation, which resulted in heightened press coverage after the show as well as immediate changes internally to ensure that it would never happen again. The
changes, however, aren't likely to affect the producers or the host. "That was more about (accounting firm) PwC and not the producers or the host, and we have addressed that issue. That envelope is closed," Boone Isaacs said. "That was a very specific situation that was addressed right away, and now we'll just move on." New protocols for PwC, which took responsibility for the mistake, were implemented following the ceremony, including a ban on cellphones backstage for accountants, employing a third balloting partner for the telecast and bringing in PwC's U.S. chairman
to provide oversight. Kimmel, who balanced political jabs with lighthearted humor at this year's ceremony, also recently garnered attention for comments he made on his late night show that all Americans deserve the same level of health care given his infant son, who was born with a heart defect that required surgery to repair. He has criticized GOP lawmakers for voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and he mocked critics who called him elitist for his health care comments. The 90th Oscars will be held on March 4, 2018, in Los Angeles and broadcast live on ABC.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 |
A11
NATIONAL
Study: Bullying persists in school, reports of sex crime up By Maria Danilova A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — One in every 5 middle and high school students has complained of being bullied at school and the number of reports of sexual assault on college campuses has more than tripled over the past decade, according to a federal study released Tuesday. "There are areas of concern in terms of bullying and rates of victimization being high," said Lauren Musu-Gillette, one of the authors of the report by the National Center for Education Statistics and the Justice Department. "We are seeing a long term decline, but we still want people to be paying attention to areas where rates are still high." Even though the overall prevalence of bullying has been declining in American schools over the past decade, 21 percent of students aged 12-18 reported being bullied in 2015, the report found.
That was slightly below the international average. "Bullying is a public health issue because it really affects the mental wellness and health of students and as we know at the extreme end it can lead to everything from suicide to reactive violence," said David Osher, vice president at the American Institutes for Research. "Because it happens, it doesn't mean it has to happen." The picture was bleaker for gay, lesbian and bisexual students. Thirtyfour percent of students who identified as LGBT complained of bullying, compared to 19 percent who identified as heterosexual. "It's a high number and a disproportionate number in comparison. We still have a lot of homophobic bias and it plays itself in schools," said Charol Shakeshaft, an education professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Those students are singled out and isolated and harassed." Shakeshaft lamented
Matt Slocum / AP
In this 2013 file photo, students walk through the halls during an open house for incoming freshman and transfer students at a high school in Philadelphia.
the Trump's administration decision earlier this year to rescind Obamaera guidance on the use of bathrooms and other facilities for LGBT students, which she said helped them feel safer. When rescinding the guidance the Education and the Justice departments said such decisions should be left to the states. Osher said campaigns to raise awareness can only help so much in helping to fight bullying. He called for programs that build empathy and self-awareness, identity and provide support for students who have mental health problems and foster a positive climate in schools. "If you directly focus on bullying without addressing overall issues regarding school climate, social and emotional
development of students, you are likely .... to hit a ceiling," Osher said. The report also found a significant rise in reports of sexual assault on university campuses. Such instances jumped from 2,200 in 2001 to 6,700 in 2014. MusuGillette cautioned however, that it is not clear from the research whether the number of actual sex crimes has increased or whether victims now feel safer reporting them to authorities. Sexual misconduct in schools was also a problem. During the 2013-14 school year, 65 percent of public schools recorded one or more violent incidents. Less than 2 percent of those crimes were sexual battery and 0.2 percent were rape or attempted rape. A year-long AP investigation revealed that
there were about 17,000 reports of sexual assaults in high schools, junior highs and even elementary schools over a fouryear period, from fall 2011 to spring 2015. Other statistics are more encouraging, according to the government report. The number of school deaths dropped from 53 in the 2013 school year to 48 in 2014. Nonfatal incidents of violence and theft at schools are also occurring less frequently. There were 841,000 such occurrences in 2014, compared to 850,100 the previous year. The percentage of high school students who report having been in a physical fight anywhere has decreased from 42 in 1993 to 23 percent in 2015. The percentage of students in grades 9-12 who reported carrying a weapon anywhere during
the past month at the time when data was collected, fell from 22 percent in 1993 to 16 percent in 2015. Alcohol consumption has also gone down. In 1993, 48 percent of students reported recent alcohol use, compared to 33 percent in 2015. Black students were being disciplined more frequently than other students across the board. In 2012, 15 percent of African-American students received out-ofschool suspensions, compared to 6 percent of all students. "There is much work left to be done," said Peggy Carr, acting commissioner of the NCES. "The data show that many students do not feel safe at school and are victimized physically, verbally and emotionally."
DREAMERS
Immigration Law Center, who said his organization was not aware of another similar law. Immigration attorney Jacqueline Watson, the former Texas chairwoman of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, explained that “the state rules for financial aid are historically broader and have broader eligibility requirements than federal financial aid.” “As long as you’re authorized to work you could participate in work study, so a DACA recipient could qualify,” said Watson, referring to Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which is the federal program through which the immigrants receive temporary legal status. The new restriction was tacked on as an amendment to a noncontentious bill that cleared both chambers of the Legislature but awaits a final version. Watson said enacting the measure would represent an unfortunate change for Texas. It was the first to offer in-state college tuition for some immigrants in the country illegally back in 2001, under the Texas Dream Act, which benefited about 30,000 students in 2015, according to information compiled by the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
“This is a setback from how we’ve been traditionally treating students,” Watson said. “As long as they were Texas students we wanted to make sure they were educated.” Karla Perez, a Houston DACA recipient currently in law school, said the prohibition was one of many state “efforts to undermine DACA,” including a Texas proposal in 2015 to remove in-state tuition for the students, similar to legislation filed this year. “There are a lot of obstacles for DACA students,” said Perez, 24, noting that many of the DACA recipients she knew in Texas had not even realized they could participate in the work study program in the past. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there.” This session, the Legislature approved a law compelling local police to inquire about peoples' immigration status during routine interactions like traffic stops, and even threaten with jail time sheriffs and other law enforcement officials who refuse to comply. Opponents call it a "show your papers" law similar to one that sparked years of federal legal challenges in Arizona, but top Republicans say it will keep Texas safer.
From page A1
Susan Walsh / AP
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster pauses during a briefing at the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
SECURITY From page A1 drew rare criticism from some Republicans, who are desperate to get the White House refocused on health care and tax changes. Coming days before Trump's first trip abroad, it also raised questions about his standing with world leaders and led some countries to start secondguessing their own intelligence-sharing agreements with the U.S. In a statement, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer said the partnership between the U.S and Israel was solid. The New York Times first reported that Israel was the source of the information. "Israel has full confidence in our intelligence sharing relationship with the United States and looks forward to deepening that relationship in the years ahead under President Trump," Dermer said. But other nations appeared to be reconsidering. A senior European intelligence official told the AP his country might stop sharing information with the United States if it confirms that Trump shared classified details with Russian officials. Such sharing "could be a risk for our sources," the official said. The official spoke only on condition that neither he nor his country be identified, because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The revelation was first reported by the Washing-
ton Post. After he spoke with the Russians, Trump was informed that he had broken protocol and White House officials placed calls to the National Security Agency and the CIA looking to minimize any damage. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly, would not say which country's intelligence was divulged, but the New York Times and other outlets reported Tuesday that Israel was the source. On Tuesday, McMaster, in a White House briefing, cast some of Trump's revelations as information that was available from publicly available "open-source reporting" and added that the president did not know the precise source of the intelligence he had shared. He appeared to be suggesting that Trump had not knowingly compromised a confidential source, but the statement also indicated that the president had not asked his advisers for detailed information about the intelligence report he'd received. "In the context of that discussion, what the president discussed with the foreign minister was wholly appropriate to that conversation and is consistent with the routine sharing of information between the president and any leaders with whom he is engaged," McMaster said. On Capitol Hill, Democrats and Republicans alike expressed concern.
Sen. John McCain, RAriz., called the reports "deeply disturbing" and said they could affect the willingness of U.S. allies and partners to share intelligence with the U.S. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for Congress to have immediate access to a transcript of Trump's meeting with the Russians, saying that if Trump refuses, Americans will doubt that their president is capable of safeguarding critical secrets. Trump ignored reporters' questions about whether he disclosed classified information. Following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump said only that his meeting last week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was "very, very successful." CIA Director Mike Pompeo was to brief members of the House intelligence committee late Tuesday. The new controversy left White House staffers, already under siege following last week's botched handling of FBI Director James Comey's firing, on edge. The communications team, in particular, has come in for sharp criticism from the president, as well as his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Trump has told advisers he's aware of a need to make changes to his White House team, though it was unclear what those moves might be or whether any were imminent.
measure is enacted. Sen. Charles Schwertner, who sponsored the amendment, would not respond to requests for comment on the floor of the state Senate. At a hearing earlier this month he said the measure simply served to “ensure that students receiving statesubsidized employment are legally eligible to work in the United States.” “This amendment simply requires that the student qualify for federal financial aid,” he said. “You must have a Social Security card or be a U.S. citizen.” But immigrant advocates said that, to their knowledge, this is the first bill denying workstudy aid to foreign-born students who are protected from deportation because of a temporary visa. The young people who benefit are called ‘dreamers’ because the program mimics versions of the so-called DREAM Act, which would have provided legal status for young immigrants but was never passed by Congress. “We were surprised to see this amendment,” said Nicholas Espiritu, a Los Angeles-based staff attorney for the National
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A12 | Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | THE ZAPATA TIMES