A reader says the University of Texas’ decision to remove gender studies courses from the core curriculum hurts its reputation.
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For all, not some
Re: Sept. 25 article, “UT strips all gender studies courses from core curriculum”
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It is disheartening the University of Texas does not want classes in their core curriculum focused on the experiences of Black people, Hispanics and other minorities on their campus.
Now they are going after women.
I am saddened by what is happening to what once was a great institution producing awesome contributors to the growth and development of a strong, treasured and loved nation.
Whatever happened to: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all?”
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AI restrictions
Re: Sept. 30 letter, “Stricter AI rules needed”
On behalf of the Austin Film Festival, the team wants to relay our appreciation for this conversation around artificial intelligence.
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As we are known as “The Writer’s Festival,” we couldn’t agree more that originality is vital.
We already have numerous rules and restrictions prohibiting any AI software in submitted material and in the evaluation of submissions.
Barbara Morgan, executive director/co-founder Austin Film Festival
A good investment
Amid the forests of election signs appearing around Pflugerville, a claim popped up that joining the Austin Community College district is a bad deal.
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The naysayers missed something.
They undercount the out-of-district students who would benefit from lower tuition by 40%. They ignore that twice as many Pflugervillians would likely attend ACC if tuition were lower.
Out-of-district Pflugervillians attend ACC at a rate half their in-district neighbors.
They ignore that the state pays ACC back $3,500 for every graduate. They ignore that more graduates earn more and pay more in future taxes.
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The benefits of additional graduates, earnings, state aid and taxes total more than 10 times the naysayers’ claims.
We will benefit further from more money in the economy, we’ll have more skilled workers and more educated residents.
Steve Jackobs, Austin Community College trustee, expressing his personal views
Gov. Greg Abbott is shown at an event in July. Readers say Abbott needs to be more up front about state spending and his desire to cap local property taxes.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Abbott needs to be upfront
After watching Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign ad, I believe he owes the voters of Texas an explanation.
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He rails against property taxes and even suggests that approval of an increase requires two-thirds of voter approval. Thirty-five percent of voters can prevent a property tax increase even if 65% are in favor.
Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for Texas cities to fund needed services. These include police, fire departments, maintenance of streets, parks and public facilities.
On his website, Abbott brags that “Texas is again the top state for population growth in 2025 and over the last two decades.” He adds that “Texas gains more than 1,000 people every day.”
If Abbott is going to demonize property taxes and make it harder for cities to fund essential services, he should tell the voters exactly how communities in our state will come up with the money needed for more police, fire stations, roads or parks.
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I guess Abbott believes that property tax increases to fund more police and fire stations are examples of — as he describes it in his ad — “wasteful spending” by city governments.
Joe Pastusek, Pflugerville
Cut Abbott’s spending
Gov. Greg Abbott apparently has never seen a budget that shouldn’t be cut.
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In his campaign ads, he forcefully deflects state government blame for what he contends are high property taxes and instead blames local municipalities, schools and other agencies for excessive spending.
Abbott apparently is unaware that population is increasing rapidly, creating more demand for local services, or that government agencies are experiencing runaway inflation or that many Texans are facing weather events that cost them dearly. Many need help.
Abbott’s solution to property taxes is to cut budgets that he knows nothing about, and he offers no recommendations for ways the state can help, despite the state’s budget surplus of nearly $24 billion.
If he wants to cut costs, Abbott might look at his own budget and stop diverting funds to an unconstitutional private school system, inflationary corporate subsidies, inefficient border security and questionable energy projects.
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Michael Ryan, Spring Branch
Already have our money
Re: Sept. 30 commentary, “True tax reform the path to erasing U.S. debt”
I cannot believe that Bloomberg Columnist Kathryn Anne Edwards was bold enough to suggest that we are undertaxed.
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Our revenues continue to rise, and Congress continues to overspend.
While tax simplification is laudable, we must cut spending. For Edwards to suggest doing away with tax-exempt tips, among other things, simply shows the Democrats’ desire to take more of our money.
Clean air is a priority
Re: Sept. 27 commentary, “Bad news for Texas: Republicans are now anti-growth”
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Responsible growth for health and well-being of Texans is what we want. Texas’ grid is strong. It produces more energy than the demand due to renewables like solar, wind and battery storage.
This energy is the most affordable, God-given gift. It cuts down the use of fuels like coal, oil and gas that spew polluting emissions affecting respiratory health of thousands of Texans. Curtailing air pollution would save lives and improve productivity.
Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian doesn’t support new transmission lines that could transmit energy from production sites to needed locations without wasting solar, wind or other energy. It is a commonsense approach to improve transmission lines to make energy more affordable to Texans.
Projects to sequester carbon dioxide, which has accumulated over years by burning of fossil fuels, would help clean the air we breathe.
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Let us elect lawmakers who would enact energy policies for clean air and responsible growth.
Kalpana Sutaria, Austin Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby