Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Oct. 23, 2022
EPA and TCEQ fail in protecting
communities from pollution
Re: Oct. 13 article, “Environmental nonprofits sue EPA over pollution from eight Texas coal plants."
It was disheartening to read the Oct. 13 article “Environmental nonprofits sue EPA over pollution from eight Texas coal plants,” which demonstrates the failures of both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to uphold environmental integrity.
It’s problematic that the TCEQ allows these coal plants to increase particulate matter, and that the EPA has put limited effort into enforcing federal mandates. These agencies’ acquiescence in allowing an increase in dangerous pollutants for the sake of energy gains shows the disregard they have toward a Texan’s right to a clean environment.
The lawsuits underline the necessity to hold government at all levels accountable to prevent toxic pollutants from destroying both communities and the environments that support them. The actions by the EPA and TCEQ further demonstrate poor communication with local residents who bear the negative effects of their mismanagement.
Diego Tovar, Austin
Access to gender-affirming care
is a legitimate health concern
In September 2021, Senate Bill 28 was proposed in the third special session of the 87th Texas legislature to legally classify facilitating or delivering gender-affirming medical care to minors as child abuse.
While this bill did not pass, it is representative of a variety of other anti-transgender legislation that has a direct effect on the health of transgender youth and adults. According to the Trevor Project, 93% of transgender and nonbinary youth are worried about people like them being denied access to gender affirming medical care specifically because of state or local legislation. Regardless of your personal beliefs about transgender people, current health data show that access to gender-affirming care is a legitimate public health concern and has tangible, long-term health implications for transgender individuals.
I urge you to research candidates on the Texas midterm ballot on Nov. 8 who will support transgender health, and to vote in favor of those supporters.
Malka Riell, Austin
Implication is we should be
having more babies, but why?
Re: Oct. 14 commentary, "Why couples in U.S. aren’t having babies."
I am part of one U.S. couple who has decided not to have children. The implication of the authors is that U.S. couples should be having more babies. Why?
If the U.S. needs more people, why not make it easy for hopeful immigrants clamoring to legally enter at the border? Our planet already has about eight billion people. This is causing many problems from global warming to starvation. Would it be so bad if the population leveled off or even decreased? Of course, economic ideas would have to adapt to that new reality, but the transition would take place over a long period of time with minimal disruption.
If (quoting the authors), “having and raising kids is a critical ingredient of, not a barrier to, the good life,” there are children to adopt. I suspect the authors may have other unstated motivations for their promotion of more U.S. babies.
Steven Zwernemann, Austin
Threat from inflation is temporary,
but threats to democracy last longer
With the election looming, I for one am focused on the threats to democracy and human rights. The threat to our democracy is real, as are the threats to reproductive rights, voting rights and personal freedoms for marriage. The right would rather pivot to inflation.
Granted, inflation is real and has caused a lot of pain for many people but in my nearly 72 years of life, I know that inflation is temporary. However, the threats to our democracy and human rights is imminent and will last a lot longer than any temporary inflationary period. Please vote for your freedom as if your life depends on it. I will.
Tim Squires, Dripping Springs
'Alarming' number of ozone action days
requires we take action for the long-term
Re: Oct. 15 article, "Austin had more Ozone Action Days this year than in 8 years combined. Here's why that could change."
People suffering from pollen allergies as I do, have an instant physiological effect when ground level ozone increases along with pollens from ragweed, grass, mold, trees and other pollutants. Sneezing, headaches, post nasal drainage and general sense of tiredness are the symptoms that I suffer from even after staying indoors.
It is alarming to have 25 Ozone Action Days in 2022 alone, which tops the combined total for the past eight years. Clearly, Austinites have to pay attention to the Ozone Action Days by taking measures like reduction in use of gasoline-powered vehicles, equipment and manufacturing for the short term.
For the long term, we need to transition away from fossil fuels and polluting emissions and invest in clean energy sources. There are incentives in bills passed this year including the Inflation Reduction Act , Infrastructure bill and the CHIPs Act. Continuing on the path will improve our health and quality of life.
Kalpana Sutaria, Austin
Money for political stunts should
be used to help retired teachers
Gov. Abbott has abused his power by spending over $14 million taxpayer dollars busing refugees and migrants to other states.
Instead of using the money for this political stunt, it could be put to better use. Texas' retired teachers are suffering. Retired teachers have not seen a cost-of-living increase over a decade. I receive $1,400 a month and it doesn't cover my monthly expenses.
The 13th check we receive is a joke. It's way overdue for Gov. Abbott to see that retired teachers get a decent raise.
Taxpayer dollars shouldn't be spent on special interest projects or theater. Serious consideration should be given to teachers who are living paycheck to paycheck. Enough is enough.
Texas ranks among the lowest paying states for teachers. We need better benefits and salaries for teachers.
Minnie Chatham, Temple
With abortion bans, women can't
make decisions for themselves
It is interesting that one of the states that was one of the biggest and loudest proponents against getting the COVID vaccine used the slogan “My body, my choice.” However, they only mean it for men. Women do not count.
Women cannot be allowed to make decisions about their own body. That became clear with the passage of the abortion ban. Abortion bans mostly affect women and girls who are of child-bearing age. But they are not allowed to decide what is right for themselves. Someone who is not their medical care provider, not a medical professional at all and does not know the patient is allowed to decide what is right for the women and girls.
Any medical decision should be made by the patient and their doctor, not some politician.
Mary McCarthy, Downers Grove, Illinois
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Oct. 23, 2022
