Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, left, listens as Mayor Kirk Watson speaks at a City Council meeting last fall. If city leaders continue to ignore residents’ opposition to higher taxes and fees, voters should seek new management in future elections, a reader says.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
More of the same
Re: July 14 article, “Austin’s $6.6B budget plan raises costs”
Article continues below this ad
Recent coverage of the ongoing budget discussions suggest Austin leadership has yet to take to heart their constituents’ recent resounding rejection of property tax and other fee hikes occurring in the context of the Statesman’s reporting of dubious, wasteful spending.
Despite this, we now learn relatively little is being proposed in the way of cuts, with the bulk of the $26 million deficit covered through higher taxes and fees.
We also learn that for some reason, homeless programs are one of the sacred cows not to be considered for cuts, despite hundreds of millions spent to date with at best very modest progress.
Article continues below this ad
The Statesman’s recent coverage documents overdue required annual reports on what is actually being accomplished after this massive expenditure.
It’s tempting to conclude this foot-dragging is quite deliberate as efforts are underway to maintain the status quo at the never-ending expense of struggling Austin taxpayers.
If our leaders continue to ignore our clear messages and give us more of the same, we’d do well to seek new management in future elections.
Article continues below this ad
Rep UT pride on rail cars
Re: July 17 article, “City approves first phase of train deal”
Having first walked the Drag along the University of Texas campus in 1944 and again as a student in the 1950s, I think the light-rail system will be a blessing.
However, a firm requirement should be the vehicles must be burnt orange and white.
Article continues below this ad
Merrill Whitehead, Wimberley
A conceptual rendering shows what the inside of Austin’s future light rail trains could look like. A reader says the rail cars that will run near the University of Texas should be required to be burnt orange and white.
Austin Transit Partnership
Labeled conservative
Re: July 15 article, “Leader’s quitting surprises officials”
Article continues below this ad
I continue to believe that it’s wrong to label state Rep. Steve Toth and former Rep. Nate Schatzline as “conservative” lawmakers.
They’re both radical and radically awful.
Unmask federal officers
One image has stayed with me this year: masked white nationalists marching through the streets of Washington, D.C. Another has become increasingly common: masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducting arrests in our communities.
Article continues below this ad
The motivations behind these groups are profoundly different, but the visual message is troubling. In a free society, people exercising power over others should not have to hide their faces without compelling justification.
For generations, Americans have expected law enforcement officers to wear uniforms, badges and visible identification. Accountability is one of the foundations of public trust.
If federal officers are carrying out lawful duties, they should generally be willing to be identified, except in rare circumstances where genuine safety or undercover work requires otherwise.
We were told immigration enforcement would focus on violent criminals. Yet, many highly publicized arrests have involved people appearing at immigration hearings or courthouses to participate in the legal process. When seeking due process becomes a reason to fear entering a courthouse, confidence in our justice system suffers.
Article continues below this ad
America is strongest when those who enforce our laws are both accountable and visible. Justice should never wear a mask.