Promises, promises: White keeps 1, makes more • By BOB LLOYD Star-Telegram Austin Bureau SAN ANTONIO — For Gov.-elect Mark White, returning to speak to a convention of community activists in San Antonio Sunday was one of many promises he made during the 11 months he ran for governor. , But fulfilling the rest of his cam- paign pledges will undoubtably re- quire more than a 10-minute speech. Indeed, some political observers are already speculating, White's prom- ises — from curbing the operating costs that utility companies can pass on to consumers to raising teacher salaries — may prove to be his undo- ing. "He's probably going to try to be everything to everyone," said one seasoned state of ficial,"and screw it all up." On Sunday, however, it was as if White was back on the campaign trail — making more promises as more than 5,000 delegates to the Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS) gave him three standing ovations. In his first speech since he won a decisive victory over Gov. Bill Clements Tuesday, White told the delegates that he would be a gover- nor of his word. "I met with the San Antonio COPS organization on Oct. 20 . . . and they asked if I were elected governor of Texas would I return on a Sunday to meet with the statewide organiza- tion, and I was very pleased to say yes, I would. "I spoke at that time about the importance of people in politics who make promises in October and being willing to fulfill those promis- es when they're in office. I'm here today to confirm that those commit- ments made to you at that Oct. 20 meeting will be a first priority with Mark White as governor of Texas." White's campaign criticized Clements for insensitivity to high White says he'll keep his promises Continued from Page 1 "So whatever is done they will have to take the credit or the blame for the next four years. Now people will .see if Mark White can deliver on the _promises he made during the eleci tion. If they're not satisfied, people .will choose an alternative and vote Republican." One of White's major issues—and the issue he credits for winning the election — was high electric bills. appoint a housewife to the PUC. White's first appointment to the commission will not be until August unless a member resigns. White in- timated Friday that he might ask Commissioner George Cowden to take a higher position in his admin- istration, which would open the way for an earlier appointment to the PUC. White also said his administration would abolish the "construction White promised to do away with work in progress" policy, which al- ..t4e fuel adjustment clause that al- lows utility companies to pass the lows utility companies to automati- cost of new construction to the con- .cally pass the cost of increased fuel sumer. Again, White will need the 'prices to the consumer. White has 'support of the PUC to fulfill his 'said since the election that he would promise. His only recourse if the ,pressure the three-member Public commission fails to follow his wish- jitility Commission to change their es would be legislation. pass-through policy or ask for legis- On Sunday White recommitted .1a,tive action. himself to fulfilling those promises White also promised he would ap- while at the same time saying he point a consumer to the commis- would work to transform the COPS' sion, repeatedly saying that con- education plan into proposed legis- :sumer would be a housewife. The lation. promise was in response to a state- COPS, which is made up of 30 ac- ,rnent by Clements that he would not 4. • .._ J. _ tion groups from predominantly Catholic churches in San Antonio with an estimated membership of more than 70,000, is chiefly con- cerned with equalizing eduation. The organization proposes that the state create a funding system that would allow poorer school dis- tricts to provide the same education as districts with a lirger tax base. COPS also wants more money given to bilingual education. "I want to make certain that Tex- as four years from now is no longer known for having the biggest prison population in the nation but Texas is known for having the best educa- tional system in the nation," he told the delegates. White promised to accept the pro- posals and offered to meet with the group's leaders regularly. White has repeatedly promised higher pay for teachers, which, he said, should be the 21-percent in- crease recommended by the Texas Education Agency. White has said he wants to follow in the footsteps of former Gov. Dolph Briscoe and be the next "no- new taxes" governor. He said the teacher salary increases and im- provement of Texas highways will come from the state's surplus. White has also said he would like to create permanent funding for state universities outside the Per- manent University Fund, although he made no specific proposal during the campaign. Whether White fulfills the prom- ises to the satisfaction of voters re- - mains to be seen. Sunday, he seemed , to give the delegates at the COPS convention the leeway to scrutinize his new administration. "Over these past 11 months of the campaign, I was going about the state of Texas with my job applica- tion in hand asking you ... to give me the chance to be the governor of this state. I look forward to working over the next four years to merit the confidence you've given," he said. electric bills and out-of-work Tex- ans. In city after city, White told potential supporters that Clements did not understand what it was to receive an electric bill. White also claimed that Clements hurt job op- portunities for the unemployed by bragging about the state's strong economy. A higher-than-expected voter turnout — especially among blacks and Hispanics — help catapult White into the governor's mansion. Many observers credit the turnout to dissatisfaction with the state and national Republican administra- tions. How well White performs in off- ice and how well he keeps his prom- ises could determine if he is re-elect-- ed. "The Democrats will have total control of state government," said Wayne Thorburn, executive direc- tor of the Texas Republican Party. Please see White on Page 2
