New law lets Texas overrule Fort Worth and other cities. That isn’t good government | Opinion
Don’t let Texas overrule us
Government closest to the people governs best. House Bill 2127 — which has passed the Texas Senate and is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk — would restrict local governance to areas specially permitted by the state.
The Legislature meets only every two years. City councils meet weekly and are much better informed about local needs. Our Fort Worth local government should be leading the opposition to this terrible legislation, and our state legislators shouldn’t support it.
- Doug Harman, Fort Worth
Border should be federal matter
Nicole Russell’s commentary, “Biden hurting Texas on border security, immigration,” would be true if the administration were not enforcing existing immigration laws. (May 12, 15A)
Congress is supposed to pass legislation related to immigration at the federal level. But we do not have an effective set of laws controlling immigration. The result is an executive branch of government issuing questionable executive orders and policies, such as Donald Trump’s policy of stripping kids from their immigrant parents.
Anyone who is dissatisfied with our border situation should ask their U.S. representative and senators when they are going to fix it. If their answer is just political mishmash, then vote for someone else.
- Larry Mason, Azle
Keep stars in the right perspective
During the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Dallas Stars fans shout “stars.” I, and I’m sure many others, feel this behavior is disrespectful of our national anthem. Those fans probably consider themselves patriotic, but it is a dishonor to distort the anthem. They should sing or remain silent with their hats off and hands over their hearts.
This has nothing to do with the franchise or how those fans conduct themselves during other parts of games. It is a simple matter of respect for those of us who choose to honor our nation during the anthem.
- Philip C. Wagner, Arlington
This isn’t religious freedom
Texas Senate Bill 1515 would require the Christian Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom in Texas. Most of us could agree on some of the commandments’ tenets. However, the first states, “Thou shall have no other God before me.”
Just whose god would that be? Many religions invoke a god, but I am fairly sure it is often not the Christian one. And what if you don’t believe in God, like about 30% of our population?
This bill and others indicate a lack of understanding of the concept of the separation of church and state.
- David Roll, Colleyville
Judge O’Hare, stick to your duties
I read recently that the main duties of the Tarrant County judges and Commissioners Court are road maintenance, property taxes, county schools, hospitals and jails. Since elected, our new judge, Tim O’Hare, has established a voter fraud task force and is in the process of trying to rid us of drag shows.
Judge O’Hare: How about getting to work on the things that matter to the people of Tarrant County?
- David Ross, Bedford
Trump was right one more time
Special counsel John Durham’s report found that the FBI investigation of collusion with Russia was a hoax, just like Donald Trump said. We know how much Democrats can’t stand election interference of any kind. So, when will we see letters from Democrats to put the people behind this in jail? Democrats, you don’t have egg just on your face — it’s covering your whole bodies.
- Gene Tignor, Emory
