Nation briefs 8/4/03

Moseley Braun: Elect a woman to solve problems

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun called Sunday for new investment in schools and the environment and said it's time to elect a woman president to solve the nation's problems.

"Women tend to be oriented to practical solutions and problem solving," she said. "If you want practical solutions that solve multiple problems, turn the job over to a woman. Women deserve a chance to lead."

Describing herself as a "fiscal conservative who fights for social justice," she urged voters to look at her record of community activism in Chicago where she said she focused on solving day-to-day problems.

She argued that a large federal investment on rebuilding local schools would upgrade the quality of education and also create thousands of jobs.

"We can create jobs and stimulate the economy," Moseley Braun said.

Legislative glitch leaves Texas schools in lurch

CEDAR HILL, Texas -- Cash-strapped school districts across Texas are scrambling to meet payroll and keep the lights on after a legislative typo delayed $800 million in school funding.

While officials in Cedar Hill, a Dallas bedroom community, plan on borrowing about $1 million, the tiny Morgan school district in rural central Texas is applying for a $140,000 loan to meet two months of payroll.

The San Antonio school district expects to pull $27.5 million from investments, at a loss of up to $15,000 in interest, to cover August expenses, the state comptroller said.

Lawmakers agreed to push back school payments by one month in order to balance the 2004 state budget, but the final legislation mistakenly ordered the delay for August 2003, rather than 2004.

Legislation to correct the problem passed the House and the Senate. But before the governor could sign it in the Senate's presence, 11 Senate Democrats broke quorum and went to New Mexico to avoid having to vote on a Republican-friendly map of new political boundaries.

Gay bishop-elect faces another vote to get job

MINNEAPOLIS -- A New Hampshire clergyman moved a step closer Sunday to becoming the first openly gay elected bishop in the Episcopal Church, winning one of two final votes required to be confirmed.

The House of Deputies, a legislative body composed of clergy and lay people, voted to approve the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. He faces a final vote today in the House of Bishops.

The House of Deputies voted by delegation, with 128 delegations voting yes and 63 voting no. The votes of 25 delegations were not counted because their members were divided.

A chaplain led the deputies in prayer before their vote. The president of the legislative body had asked them to remain quiet when the results were announced and they complied.

Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has lived with his partner, Mark Andrew, for 13 years.

If Robinson is confirmed at this week's Episcopal General Convention, it will have an impact far beyond his diocese.

Bishops who believe gay sex is a sin contend that allowing him to serve is a tacit endorsement of ordaining homosexuals. These conservatives said it would force them to consider leaving the church, weakening the denomination and sparking a bitter fight over parish property and funds.

-- From wire reports