Insurance groups say tort reform cuts not shared with drivers
A coalition of consumer groups accuses Texas insurers of pocketing excess savings from 1995 tort reform laws. They say, beyond the $1.5 billion rate cuts ordered since 1996, insurers kept about $2 billion more from reduced lawsuits. Industry officials deny the claim, noting rate reductions and refunds to policyholders despite ongoing disputes over accurate savings and payout ratios.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Texas
Elton Bomer
Consumers Union
The
Center For Economic Justice
Texas Citizen Action
Bomer
Dr. Powers
Insurance Department
Jerry Johns
Southwestern Insurance Information Service
Dean Brand
State Farm
Brand
Coalition of
Consumer Groups
Garden planting guidance from Texas A&M horticulturist
Texas A M University horticulturist Welsh says April is ideal for in ground planting of shrubs ground covers and trees with pots ok for flowers until last frost. After freezes, plant tomatoes peppers green beans and squash while noting azaleas dislike lime water and soil. Charles Britton from Mike's Garden Centers adds soil prep and root stimulator aid for faster plant growth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas A&m University
Welsh
Posen
Charles Britton
Mike
Britton
Secret access proposal risks court abuse cites Borges
Borges warned a proposal allowing judges to deny information requests could invite abuse and remove appeal routes. He criticized exempting arrest and search warrant details from disclosure, noting public access has historically deterred misuse and lets the public verify justified searches and arrests.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Borges
Mendation
Windins
Indictments Link Dallas School Kickback Scheme
A federal grand jury indicts contractor William Morris Risby and ex inspector James D. Hargrave on a 64 count racketeering and fraud case tied to Dallas Independent School District roofing repairs. They allegedly submitted false invoices to skim about 383200 dollars from 1.6 million paid for unperformed work. If convicted, penalties could reach 705 years and 17.5 million in fines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dallas
William Morris Risby
James D. Hargrave
Dallas Independent School District
Risby
Hargrave
DISD
Yvonne Gonzalez
U.S
Paul Coggins
FBI
Internal Revenue Service
Danny A. Defenbaugh
Gramm Hutchison seek to smooth flow of trade
Senators Gramm and Hutchison introduced a bill to spend 347 million over two years to hire 1,700 customs staff and acquire X-ray and sensor tech for seaport crossings. They aim to cut average port wait times to 20 minutes, boosting U.S. Mexico trade. Clinton administration has not endorsed yet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phil Gramm
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Gramm
United States
Mexico
Gramm-Hutchison
Clinton
Customs
Treasury Department
Texas
Senate
Odessa Assault and Firearm Charge Reported
A 32 year old Odessa woman says she was assaulted at 9 p m Sunday in the 1100 block of West 13th Street. A 33 year old Odessa man is detained on aggravated assault charges. Rodney Renea Matthews of 1110 E 13th St is jailed on $10 090 bail. A 29 year old Odessa woman reports a knife at her throat at 12 55 a m Monday at Tejano Rodeo Club 623 S Crane Ave. A 20 year old Odessa man released after posting bond on firearm possession. Bail for Jerry Wayne Benson of 905 N Muskingum Ave is set at 7 500.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Odessa
West 13Th Street
Ector County
Rodney Renea Matthews
E. 13Th St
Tejano Rodeo Club
S. Crane Ave
Jerry Wayne Benson
N. Muskingum Ave
Local Celebrities Send Letters to Nominated Children
Area mascots including Juice the Moose Slapjack and McGruff the Crime Dog will deliver 65 letters written by local celebrities to nominated children who might not receive a letter. The delivery is planned for Thursday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Juice the Moose
Midland Angels
Slapjack
Jackalopes Hockey
McGruff the Crime Dog
Also Mentioned on This Page
Puter
Carlson
Leon Guinn
U.S. Customs Service
Houston
America
Guinn
Associated Press
New York
Syquest
Gymkidd
AOL
Chad
Gramm, Hutchison
Washington
Congress
Border Patrol
U.s.-Mexico
Tttte Ehne
Stephen's Furniture, Inc
Robert G. Konchar
Ashford Park
Physicians and Surgeons
Southwestern Bell
Hirs Halon
Tex-Air
Atnoctire Tis Assocuter
Violeta F. Bello
M.D
American Academe
Bello
Tod Children's Ital
Youngstown
Ohio
Lawrence General Hospital
Lawrence
Massachusetts
Violeta F. Bello, M.D
Pediatrics
Girl Scouts
Permian Basin
Girl Scout Council
Petroleum Club
Midland
Nancy Anguish
Kathy Ard
Andrews
Shelley Barker
Carla Bryant
Dana Carole
Sandra Clack
Margaret Cowden
Barbara Bearden Davis
Lucy Mullen Davis
Mary de Compiegne
Marilyn Miller Hanson
Tammy Hawkins
Melissa Hendrix
Edna Brown Hibbitts
Charlotte Hunter
Lee Lentz
Kermit Tana Bromley Robertson
Sandy Tisdale
Petra Tucker
Alpine
Margaret Wynn
Nancy Robinson Masters
Mary Wynn Hinkle
Janice Eleanor Hill Matthews
Betty Jo Greene Morgan
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