Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 21, 1994 TAG: 9404210230
SECTION: NATIONAL/INT PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WASHINGTON - The Clinton administration said Wednesday it is asking for at least $60 billion to fund housing and development programs over the next two years, with emphasis on more help for the homeless and on ``turning around public housing.''
The Department of Housing and Urban Development said it also wants to pour more money and effort into helping low- and moderate-income Americans buy homes.
At a gathering at Washington's historic Eastern Market, HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros said his first priority is reducing homelessness, and he is asking Congress for $1.66 billion for that effort, double the amount appropriated last year. Local governments would get $100 million of this money for ``innovative programs'' they develop to help homeless people.
Although the administration said public housing is high on its agenda, HUD is seeking to trim funding over the next two years, from $3.2 billion this year to $2.8 billion in fiscal 1996.
- The Washington Post
DeLuise charged with sex offense
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Actor Dom DeLuise has been charged with allegedly touching a male casino employee in a sexual way.
DeLuise was charged Friday criminal sexual contact, based on a complaint from the employee at Merv Griffin's Resorts Casino Hotel, said police Sgt. Stephen Hawkins.
Police didn't identify the employee. Criminal sexual contact ``constitutes a touching of a sexual nature,'' Hawkins said. ``It can mean a lot of things and I can't give you any details on what occurred.''
Investigators interviewed DeLuise on Monday and he denied any wrongdoing.
DeLuise's agent, Robert Malcolm, said Wednesday he knew nothing about the charge.
The incident allegedly occurred March 26 while DeLuise was a guest at the hotel, Hawkins said.
- Associated Press
Clouds force shuttle to land in Calif.
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Space shuttle Endeavour ended its 11-day radar-mapping mission Wednesday morning with a detour to a California landing after clouds foiled attempts to return home to Florida.
Endeavour crossed the Oregon coast and raced down the spine of California to the Mojave Desert, trailing the shuttle fleet's signature twin sonic booms before setting down under a bright blue sky.
``It's been great,'' shuttle commander Sidney Gutierrez radioed to Mission Control. ``All the years of hard work have paid off.''
- Associated Press
Senators keep their airport parking
WASHINGTON - Under fire from the folks back home, members of Congress have given up a wide array of perks in recent years - from the free use of gyms to discount haircuts.
But on Wednesday, members of the Senate said enough is enough, drew a line in the asphalt and voted 53-44 to keep their treasured airport parking spots - but not without a fight.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the privilege "unfair and unjustified."
In response, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the privilege saves tax money by allowing members not to rely on taxis or to pay for parking, for which they would be reimbursed.
Members of Congress, the Supreme Court and the diplomatic corps get free parking spots just steps from the terminals at Washington's National Airport and Dulles International Airport.
The VIP parking is a sore spot for members of the public who often must trudge past empty congressional spaces pulling their luggage in the rain or sweltering heat from their more distant lots.
- Knight-Ridder/Tribune
Gas blast blamed on damage to pipe
WASHINGTON - Federal investigators have traced the gas explosion that rocked Edison, N.J., last month to a deep, 2.5-inch gouge in a transmission line that was severely damaged by a ``hard object such as teeth from a backhoe,'' a National Transportation Safety Board member testified Tuesday.
Eight apartment buildings were incinerated, six others were damaged and thousands of residents were left homeless by the explosion and fire on March 24.
- Knight-Ridder/Tribune
by CNB