TEXAS LAWMAKER TO DELAY BILL ON DALLAS ARENA FINANCING

          TX State Rep Kim Brimer said that he will delay a bill
     that could help pay for a new downtown Dallas arena,
     "pending consideration of the tax package" Gov. George Bush
     unveiled Tuesday, according to Todd Gillman in the DALLAS
     MORNING NEWS.  Both proposals involve raising sales taxes,
     and the decision to delay the arena bill gives Dallas
     additional time to sum up what it may seek from lawmakers as
     it tries to plan a new arena for the Mavs and Stars.  Brimer
     is the chief sponsor of a bill that would let voters in a
     city or county impose an extra half-cent sales tax, as well
     as levees on tickets, parking, hotel rooms and car rentals,
     to pay for sports facilities.  On Tuesday, the bill was
     assigned to the State House Business and Industry Committee,
     which Brimer heads, "solidifying his control of debate on
     the issue" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/29).