Letters to the Editor: Abbott could learn from Newsom

Unlike Abbott, Newsom prioritizes

the well-being of his state's residents

Gov. Greg Abbott has put California on his list of targets by promoting Texas as a state of “innovation, not regulation and taxes.”

If Abbott was not so focused on pandering to corporations moving to Texas, he might have observed that California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California legislature have introduced legislation to expand California's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, to cover undocumented residents.

Abbott would rather sue the federal government than accept the government’s offer to cover up to 90% of Medicare expansion costs. So while California prioritizes the most vulnerable who perform essential jobs, particularly in agriculture, and reduces hospital costs through preventive care, Abbott sends the National Guard to the border and sanctions the Texas uninsured rate of 18.4% — twice the national average.

It’s obvious that Abbott caters to big business while Newsome prioritizes the well-being of his California residents.

Robert Gibbons, Austin

National Guard members are dying;

Abbott cries foul about politics

Greg Abbott can't handle it when reports criticize the National Guard suicides, among other problems with his misguided Operation Lone Star at the border.

According to Abbott, those critics are "just playing politics." No, they're pointing out the fact that, yet again, you messed up.

Why is it that every time Republicans are called out for something stupid or terrible that they've done they immediately whine that the issue is being politicized? Meanwhile, they politicize everything from vaccines to school library books.

Send Greg Abbott a real political message in November, and vote him out of office.

Lissa Anderson, Austin

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Jan. 16, 2022