Neighbors are hungry
Re: “County gives $1M to help with SNAP gap,” Wednesday news story.
As a Dallas resident, I’m outraged that 416,000 neighbors face hunger because our federal government failed its most basic duty. This shutdown has stripped $56.5 million in SNAP benefits from Dallas County alone, forcing families to choose between rent and food.
While we’re grateful for the county’s $1 million allocation and Mark Cuban’s generosity, charity cannot replace systematic government support. The North Texas Food Bank, already operating with a $10 million deficit, is buckling under pressure it was never designed to bear.
Congress must immediately end this shutdown and fully restore SNAP funding. These aren’t handouts — they’re lifelines for working families, children and seniors while supporting local grocery stores and our economy.
I urge every Dallas resident to call Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to demand they prioritize ending this shutdown now. Our neighbors are hungry while politicians play games. This is unacceptable.
Opinion
Bukekile Dube, Dallas/Midway Hollow
Vote to keep DART
Plano’s City Council has chosen to ignore the clear and consistent opposition of its residents to withdraw from DART, including the paratransit riders whose livelihoods depend on the service. The council also disregarded evidence showing that the fair-share study they cite is deeply flawed.
They know Plano would still owe DART millions of dollars for years and that creating a new system would be far more expensive. This isn’t about saving money. I believe it’s about political control and an effort to weaken DART and diminish Dallas’ influence on its board — just as the $2 billion Silver Line opened and the World Cup prepares to put North Texas on the world stage.
DART is one of the few truly regional systems that connect our communities. Walking away from it would damage our economy, harm those who rely on transit most and set back decades of progress.
Voters in Plano, Farmers Branch, Highland Park and Irving should vote against withdrawal in May’s elections and elect leaders who value facts, fairness and the future of our region.
Enrique MacGregor, Dallas
DART board member
California got to vote
Re: “Decent Night for American Middle — Democrats find a moderate path to wins in Virginia and New Jersey, but NYC and California disappoint,” Thursday editorial.
Fans of the so-called “Texas Miracle” love to slam California for its higher taxes and alleged urban dysfunctions, but I have a quick question: When it came time to consider a controversial mid-decade redistricting, which state quickly and slavishly did the bidding of Donald Trump, and which state asked its voters what they wanted to do?
Think about it. California listened to more than 8 million voters. Texas listened to Donald Trump. That says a lot.
Chris Tucker, Richardson
Message: Law and order
Re: “Results reveal economic fears — Slew of Democratic victories sends a message of discontent to Trump,” Thursday news story.
You report that “President Donald Trump got a serious warning from voters that he’s out of touch with their fears about a deteriorating U.S. economy.”
But I submit that the warning was as much or more about the Trump administration’s deteriorating respect for law and the constitutional order.
Curtis Carpenter, Dallas/Munger Place
NYC of my childhood
Even though commentators call Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani ’s win a new era for New York, in many ways he plans to re-create the Brooklyn of my childhood.
He emphasizes freezing the rent. During the 1950s, I grew up in a 700-square-foot rent-controlled apartment. He wants universal childcare. I benefited from excellent public schools because the city invested in its young.
He promises a life of dignity for the working man. Our lower-class neighborhood was clean and safe. We had health care because my father belonged to a union.
“New York will remain a city of immigrants: a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants,” Mamdani promised in his victory speech.
Immigrants surrounded me growing up, in my home, in my schools, in my neighborhood and on the subways. Mamdani promised to “fight for a city that works for you.”
I grew up in that city. I welcome its return.
Barbara Chiarello, Austin
Right to reject ICE offer
Kudos to the Dallas City Council and Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux for rejecting the proposal of Mayor Eric Johnson to explore a partnership in Dallas with ICE and the controversial 287(g) program established by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The 287(g) program delegates police officers to be trained and authorized to identify and process detained immigrants for removal. As Comeaux asserted, 287(g) would undermine the trust the police department has worked to foster with its communities.
As we know from experience in Tarrant County’s implementation of this program, it targets undocumented people no matter the crime or offense instead of protecting communities from serious or violent crimes. Also, 287(g) dangerously implicates its community in the business of profiling, detaining and deporting our immigrant family members and neighbors, typically for minor infractions, stoking fear in all immigrants in the community and leading to lack of due process and abuse of power.
Once again, thank you to the Dallas City Council and Police Chief Comeaux for voting against implementation of this harmful program.
Mimi Platt Zimmerman, Fort Worth