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A reader says the University of Texas’\u00a0decision to remove gender studies courses from the core curriculum hurts its reputation.<\/p>\n
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For all, not some<\/p>\n
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Re: Sept. 25 article, \u201cUT strips all gender studies courses from core curriculum\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Now they are going after women.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Whatever happened to: \u201cI 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?\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n AI restrictions<\/p>\n Re: Sept. 30 letter, \u201cStricter AI rules needed\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n On behalf of the Austin Film Festival, the team wants to relay our appreciation for this conversation around artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n As we are known as \u201cThe Writer\u2019s Festival,\u201d we couldn\u2019t agree more that originality is vital.<\/p>\n We already have\u00a0numerous rules and restrictions<\/a> prohibiting any AI software in submitted material and in the evaluation of submissions.<\/p>\n Barbara Morgan, executive director\/co-founder Austin Film Festival<\/p>\n A good investment<\/p>\n Amid the forests of election signs appearing around Pflugerville, a claim popped up that joining the Austin Community College district is a bad\u00a0deal.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The\u00a0naysayers missed something.<\/p>\n They undercount the out-of-district students who would benefit from lower tuition by 40%.\u00a0They ignore that twice as many Pflugervillians would likely attend ACC if tuition were lower.<\/p>\n Out-of-district\u00a0Pflugervillians attend ACC at a rate half their in-district neighbors.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The benefits of additional graduates, earnings, state aid and taxes total more than 10 times the naysayers\u2019 claims.<\/p>\n We will benefit further from more money in the economy, we\u2019ll have more skilled workers and more educated residents.<\/p>\n Steve Jackobs, Austin Community College trustee, expressing his personal views<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Abbott needs to be upfront<\/p>\n After watching Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s campaign ad, I believe he owes the voters of Texas an explanation.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n On his website, Abbott brags that \u201cTexas is again the top state for population growth in 2025 and over the last two decades.\u201d He adds that \u201cTexas gains more than 1,000 people every day.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n I guess Abbott believes that property tax increases to fund more police and fire stations are examples of \u2014 as he describes it in his ad \u2014 \u201cwasteful spending\u201d by city governments.<\/p>\n Joe Pastusek, Pflugerville<\/p>\n Cut Abbott\u2019s spending<\/p>\n Gov. Greg Abbott apparently has never seen a budget that shouldn\u2019t be cut.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Abbott\u2019s 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\u2019s budget surplus of nearly $24 billion<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Michael Ryan, Spring Branch<\/p>\n Already have our money<\/p>\n Re: Sept. 30 commentary, \u201cTrue tax reform the path to erasing U.S.\u00a0debt\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n I cannot believe that Bloomberg Columnist Kathryn\u00a0Anne Edwards was bold enough to suggest that we are undertaxed.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Our revenues continue to rise, and Congress continues to overspend.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0Democrats’\u00a0desire to take more of our money.<\/p>\n Clean air is a priority<\/p>\n<\/p>\n