Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Feb. 19, 2023

Texans should know better than

to expect Paxton to foot the bill

Re: Feb. 10 article, "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to settle with four whistleblowers for $3.3 million."

We learned recently that hard-working Texans might be on the hook for Ken Paxton’s $3.3 million settlement.

We also need to understand how much the state also has invested in the defense of Paxton over this and multiple allegations of wrongdoing so far. Paxton is responsible for considerable distraction at the attorney general's office regarding the 2015 securities felony case, the professional misconduct case over the election and the allegations of wrongdoing with respect to Nate Paul.

Yes, the legislature will ask hard questions of the AG’s office, but we know better than to expect Paxton to foot the bill for his improprieties. Can there be much respect for Paxton at the AG’s office other than for his capacity to shrewdly escaped repercussion, even by his spouse, for these shenanigans?

Make no mistake, Texans sense egregious wrongdoing but ultimately will shoulder the responsibility for the $3.3 million plus payout.

Peter Ellis, Austin

Lawmakers should consider cost

of not funding the state's needs

The projected state budget surplus is unprecedented. For way too long, we have not funded substantial needs in this state.

I’m not a proponent of reckless spending, but it seems like a no-brainer that we should fund the teacher retirement system, improve education spending overall and fund state employee pay raises.

I think that way too often, the legislature does not seem to consider the cost of not doing these things. We will not be able to hire great teachers if we don’t pay them well or provide for their retirement, and we can’t get or keep good workers in other state positions without competitive compensation. There is a real cost to not having (and/or losing) good people in vital positions.

I hope our leadership can recognize these realities and take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually do something about them.

Ken Murdock, Buda

Legislators should hold Paxton

accountable in suit settlement

Re: Feb. 10 article, "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to settle with four whistleblowers for $3.3 million."

Texas Legislators:Please do not fund Ken Paxton’s whistleblower lawsuit settlement! How can he even suggest the $3.3 million settlement saves Texas taxpayers money? It saves him money for another one of his numerous expensive legal mistakes.

Can we please hold him accountable? And can we please pressure him to stop delaying his multiple other indictments?

How is Ken Paxton our attorney general? Texans deserve better. Legislators, we are watching.

Robin Moore, Austin

Housing for homeless people

turns girl's dreams into reality

Re: Feb. 9 article, "Travis County approves $3 million to build supportive housing for homeless population."

As a curious child I loved reading the "Boxcar Children" series. Since then I've been preoccupied with the idea of alternative housing. When I grew up and saw people living on the streets my adult mind filled with visions of structures suitable for housing. I see them everywhere.

My visions came to life when I read about Camp Esperanza, the brainchild of the Other Ones Foundation. The 100-square-foot cabins are a magnificent creation that grew from someone else's imaginings. Reading the story gave me hope, inspiration and love for the adults who unbeknownst to them, took a little girl's wonder and made it come true.  Those experiencing homelessness now have a place to call home.

My higher power lives here on earth in the form of what I call "human angels." To all of you at Other Ones Foundation, you've earned your wings. I hope more funding comes your way.

Valerie Goranson, Round Rock

Unconscionable for Paxton to say

he's saving the taxpayers money

Re: Feb. 15 editorial, "Ken Paxton's bad behavior continues to cost Texas taxpayers."

Regarding the Feb. 15 Statesman editorial "Paxton's unethical behavior continues to cost Texas taxpayers," wherein he is quoted, "I have chosen this path to save taxpayer dollars and ensure my third term as Attorney General is unburdened by unnecessary distractions."

Seriously? Now embroiled in two major offenses, he settles the whistleblower suit out of court and expects this to be at the expense of taxpayers! Unconscionable.

I suggest he resign his position to avoid unnecessary distractions. With at least two major distractions, we can most likely expect nothing less in the future. Why the voters approved another term is beyond comprehension.

Jeri Porter, Fischer

People are using guns to kill

others; that's the real problem

Re: Feb. 15 article, "'Spartan community is reeling today.'"

Tragically, disturbingly, and appallingly, death and mass murder by gun is the new normal in this country.

I favor sensible gun control.  However, the reality is that the manufacture of new guns could cease today and there would already be enough guns and ammunition in circulation that gun violence would likely not be affected. This is where we are. And that is tragic.

“Guns aren’t the problem, people are the problem,” we’re told. But the real problem is that people (are) using guns to kill people. The two are related. It would be much more difficult to kill people, singly or in numbers, with sticks and stones, or even knives or swords. But we use guns. It can happen anytime, anywhere in the good old U.S. of A. And it will not end anytime soon.

Robert J. Karli, Austin

Governor should offer proof of

discriminatory hiring practices

Re: Feb. 9 article, “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calls for end to diversity hiring practices at state agencies.”

If Gov. Abbott has evidence that state agencies are engaging in discriminatory hiring practices under the banner of “diversity, equity and inclusion,” he should stop any such illegal practice. Without offering any specific information, however, we must conclude this practice is not happening.

What is more clearly happening is that the Governor’s Office is intimidating state agencies into abandoning efforts to make workplaces more welcoming and inclusive for all. These efforts arise from state employees in a good-faith effort to improve the working conditions for everyone in their agencies.

Now the Governor’s Office is telling these state employees that their efforts “proactively encourage discrimination in the workplace” and implying that any diversity initiative is illegal.

What nonsense. And what an insulting and offensive position for the state of Texas to take toward its own employees.

Mark Smith, Austin 

Burying power lines preferable,

but until then, trim those trees

After the ice storm, my wife and I were driving through North Austin neighborhoods and it's clear to see the reason for downed power lines. In most areas the trees are enmeshed with the power lines.

There appears to have been no attempt to trim back or remove trees that are a danger to power lines in a ice storm. Trimming is common practice in northern communities.

Get on the stick Austin. Of course, burying power lines is the preferable solution, but until then trim those trees, Austin.

John Lawless, Austin

Interstate 35 planning was 'insane'

then. The consequences still are.

I lived in Austin in the 1970s when the upper deck was built and could never understand why they didn’t extend it over Town Lake rather than having it empty into the downtown area with the lower deck. It was insane then and now.

I assume that it was the added costs in doing so, but it would have solved a big part of the current problem. While I am addressing Interstate 35, the other absurd problem is Oak Hill.

Living in Fredericksburg, we go to San Antonio to shop and they have a much better road system than Austin. The road planning in Austin has been terrible for 50-plus years.

Harold Coates, Fredericksburg

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Feb. 19, 2023