News for January 30, 2003

Texas budget woes worsen
AUSTIN (AP) Already facing a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, lawmakers learned Wednesday they don

Cause of Travis ailment a mystery
Several Travis Middle School students and staff members became ill Wednesday morning, complaining they felt faint and light-headed. Initially, four students and two staff members were transported to the Scott and White Memorial Hospital Emergency Room after feeling nauseous and out of breath. But later on in the day, three more students arrived at the emergency room complaining of the same symptoms. There were three students still in the ER Wednesday evening, but only one of those was from early Wednesday morning. The other two are from the group of three students who came in later, Scott and White officials said. Everybody else has been released, and the three still in the hospital were expected to be released Wednesday night. by Ramiro G. Hinojosa

Bell Youth Fair continues to grow
BELTON

United Way within reach of its goal
It

Homeowners insurance focus of Fraser
AUSTIN (AP) The move to reform the homeowners insurance market, which has seen large rate increases and companies stop writing new policies, kicked into high gear at the Capitol on Wednesday. State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, filed legislation that would require insurance companies to immediately file with the Texas Department of Insurance their current and projected homeowners rates for the next six months. It also allows the department to seek all data the companies use to determine premiums. Fraser is chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, which will consider the bill today. He said all nine panel members have signed onto the bill, all but assuring its passage to the full Senate. arty, which campaigned on a pledge to restart peace negotiations with the Palestinians.