FINAL OUTCOME NEAR FOR TX SPORTS AND MUNICIPAL PROJECTS BILL

          At a rally in Houston to "drum up support" for the
     Brimer bill, which would allow cities and counties to hold
     referenda on sports stadiums and other projects, Houston
     Mayor Bob Lanier said that the city "must spend some sort of
     public money" to keep its pro sports teams, according to
     Williams & Hanson of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  The Brimer bill
     will be discussed and voted on in a TX Senate committee
     today.  If it receives approval, the bill will go before the
     full Senate (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/15).  In Houston, Ed
     Fowler notes that "the most damaging influences" to the
     passage of the bill "have come from outside Houston,"
     including "the opposition of Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock; and a
     feud between Dallas and Arlington."  One state capital
     source: "Dallas is ready to kill this thing for the whole
     state, and the result will be the Astros will leave and the
     Spurs will leave" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/15).