ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS (AP) — Texas is poised to become the first state to ban its agencies from investing in companies whose artists‘ songs promote violence or degrade women. The target, supporters say, is gangsta rap.
Gov. George W. Bush apparently must sign the bill, since it is irrevocably tied to the state’s pending 900-page budget. Bush has already heard from people who have learned of the legislation from angry radio disc jockeys.
„Who are they kidding? They aren’t looking to screen all types of music,“ said David Douglas, manager of Dallas music store that sells gangsta rap CDs and tapes. „They’ve taken aim at gangsta rap because that’s what they don’t like. Gangsta rap is the new heavy metal.“
Supporters, however, said they are trying to halt an ongoing „American tragedy“ by attacking music they say glorifies violence.
„I defy any newspaper in Texas to print those lyrics,“ said Sen. Bill Ratliff, a Republican from Mount Pleasant. „If they can’t be printed in a newspaper, why can they be pumped into 13-year-olds‘ brains for three to four hours a day?„
Under the measure, state agencies will not be able to buy stock in companies like Seagram Co., which has rights to the lyrics of songs from artists that include Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
Some agencies will have to sell such stock or risk losing state funding.
The Employees Retirement System said it had a Seagram investment worth about $8.4 million as of Dec. 31. The University of Texas System has a $3.8 million stake in Seagram.
Universal Music Group, which is owned by Seagram, declined to comment Friday. However, the Recording Industry Association of America denounced the legislation as an attack on free speech rights.
„They know they can’t get away with outright censorship, so they’re taking it one little move at a time,“ said RIAA president Hilary Rosen. „They won’t be looking at ZZ Top or Willie Nelson, who sing songs that could be construed as degrading women. The bill is aimed at specific groups and artists that have dared to offend the legislature.“
Ms. Rosen said the measure will be challenged in court.
