Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference addressing foreign influence in public education at the Texas Public Policy Foundation in Austin on Aug. 18. A reader comments on Abbott’s changing views on education.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Don’t let money win
Re: “Abbott’s flip-flop on Texas education — The governor no longer believes in a bedrock conservative value,” by Glenn Rogers, Sunday Opinion.
After reading Rogers’ column, I don’t know if I am more mad or scared. Mad because Gov. Greg Abbott is not putting education front and center as he promised. Twelve years ago, Abbott was a proponent of returning control of the school districts to the communities they serve with operational flexibility. Now, he is crippling them with teacher and school mandates, many unfunded.
Article continues below this ad
I’m scared because big money is controlling our leaders. Per Rogers, Jeff Yass, a TikTok investor, gave Abbott’s campaign $10 million for pushing vouchers as he is a school privatization activist.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation, under the leadership of billionaire megadonor Tim Dunn, pushes policies designed to eliminate local control of government. Our leaders are bowing to the billionaires at the expense of our students.
Money has to get out of politics at all levels of government so everyone can work together again. To support future education in the state, we need a change in leadership. Our current leaders are under the control of megadonors.
I will vote to change our Texas leadership. Voting is our voice! Don’t let money win.
Article continues below this ad
Details in a Paxton case
Re: “No pedophile protectors,” by Jan McDowell, Sept. 29 Letters.
McDowell mentions James Talarico’s ad about Ken Paxton giving a pedophile one day in jail. That made no sense to me. I researched online and found a lot of information on the Adam Huffman trial. It was prosecuted by the attorney general’s office because the McLennan County district attorney recused himself.
The trial ended in a 7-5 deadlock. The victim and his mother did not want to testify in a new trial. A plea deal was worked out. Huffman would lose his law license and get 30 days in jail.
The judge changed it to 60 days. Huffman served 29 days in jail. Huffman moved to Nebraska and is now registered as a sex offender.
Article continues below this ad
Ideal? No. But better than one day in jail and better than forcing a reluctant young victim to testify. Talarico doesn’t mind inventing stories.
Puzzled by support for Paxton
I’m a voting, taxpaying, library-card carrying Texas Republican. I turned around one day, and I am all alone. People, some smart and lots educated, voted for Ken Paxton over John Cornyn. I couldn’t believe it.
Was I the only person that watched the impeachment trial? Was I the only one that saw Paxton fire multiple high-level staffers from the attorney general’s office because they wouldn’t investigate (illegally mind you) an enemy of his friend Nate Paul? Fired for not breaking the law at the behest of his boss.
Article continues below this ad
The whistleblowers filed suit and in lieu of testifying, Paxton settled the case, with millions of our tax dollars. You can read all about it in this very newspaper.
He was investigated for fraud because he recruited investors for a green energy company and didn’t bother to tell them that he got paid per recruit. He had to perform 100 hours of community service and pay back $300,000 as part of a pre-trial diversion, and then the charges were dismissed.
Throw in that the Bible-thumping Paxton likes the ladies. He was spotted in Europe with a woman not his wife during our country’s 250th birthday celebration. What a patriot.
I don’t know what happened. I blame my Republican Party in Texas. Hasn’t Paxton embarrassed us enough here at home? Why, oh, why would you want to send him to Washington?
We gave up Cornyn’s 24 years of seniority for this silly, cheesy little politician?
Article continues below this ad
Dede Conner, Georgetown
Wait on data centers
We should salute and support rural communities opposing the construction of data centers. No urgent need exists for more. The demand for them is by people and companies seeking to increase already tremendous wealth at the expense of others’ safety, security and comfort.
Data centers threaten the integrity of the Texas power grid, the supply of potable water and the livability of the environment in which they are built because of the tremendous heat they generate. All of this is true before you even consider the existential threat best typified by the book title, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies.
AI can do a great deal now at its present capability. There is no need for a massive increase in the number of data centers for developing super intelligence that surpasses the most intelligent human. We can and should wait.
Article continues below this ad
Wait until the electric grid has sufficient capacity. Wait until the water supply is sufficient for present needs at least. Wait until AI companies are prepared to take full legal responsibility for the actions of their AI creations.
Our governor’s reservations and restrictions concerning data centers will vaporize if reelected. We must demand legal protection from the Legislature and elect state legislators who will enact them.
Let’s shore up the economy by providing better financial support for our schools so that the smartest brains are human ones. Let’s support programs like SNAP so that those brains are in healthy bodies.
Hopes Romo returns
CBS announcer Jim Nantz once said he hoped he and Tony Romo would become the modern-day version of Pat Summerall and John Madden. Summerall continued broadcasting about two decades after his alcoholism was disclosed.
One hopes to hear Romo again soon.
Mark Spencer, Cross Roads