Stand up to bad apples, GOP
Re: “Probe of Paxton’s settlement revealed — News of inquiry comes after AG calls for Phelan to resign,” Wednesday news story.
This comes as no surprise. Republicans now have to face their own bad apples. There are just so few who have the courage to stand up to anyone in their own party. And who can blame them with the full weight of the attorney general’s office behind him?
Ken Paxton acts like a fearful dog backed into a corner. Dade Phelan is absolutely right that Texas taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the $3 million bill for his settlement against whistleblowers. It should go to trial if he won’t resign.
Maybe this will finally wake up some Republican voters to participate in the primaries so the government can actually get a little work done every couple of years.
Jennifer Wilcox, Frisco
Teachers are demeaned again
Re: “Senate committee ties school choice to raises — Push to pass voucher-like bill follows resistance from rural Republicans and Democrats,” Tuesday news story.
Disturbing, disappointing, frustrating are just a few words to describe this story. Our teachers are demeaned again by tying the school funding legislation to the school voucher plan.
You say “parents need a choice for their students” but parents have a choice and vouchers won’t change that decision. Texas dollars will just pay for that choice.
The 14th Amendment of our Constitution guarantees a public education for all students, kindergarten through grade 12. Our Legislature has a choice in Texas to pass the school funding plan without vouchers, promote our public schools as the best in the nation, give them the money they need and build on our math, science, language, reading, etc.
Education, education, education! It is the future of our youth and our country.
Martha Ryan, Plano
Will private schools be accountable?
Re: “Unlock our kids’ potential — School choice, reading could be key to improving student outcomes,” by Abby McCloskey, Monday Opinion.
In one story about the Texas Senate passing a plan to send public money to private schools, I read this statement: ”Private schools in general can deny admission to students, including those with special needs. Public schools, meanwhile, are required to serve every child.”
If public funds go to private schools, will those private schools then be accountable to the state of Texas for all the standards (fiscal, academic, admissions and personnel) for which the public schools are held accountable?
Regarding McCloskey’s featured opinion, I’d be interested to hear why she favors public tax dollars going to support schools with limited or no accountability to the taxpayers of Texas.
Keep in mind that public schools are subject to oversight by the Texas Legislature, Texas Education Agency and locally elected school boards, in addition to compliance with federal regulations.
Betty Rutledge, Trenton
Chance to clear record needed
Re: “Pushing past their offenses for a job — ‘Clean slate’ policies give people with convictions 2nd chance,” Sunday news story.
Very interesting and timely story regarding criminal records and how they affect a person’s abilities to function normally in society after prison, even if they never err again. I am so in favor of a period of time and good performance that would allow a person in this situation to have any record against them expunged.
My husband and I have an example in our adopted son, who in his teens fell for the fairy tale of selling drugs for an easy and comfortable life. As almost always happens, this caught up with him and he spent two years in prison. Now with a felony conviction, no one will hire him.
In one interview with a window cleaning firm, he took the application in hand, looked at it and handed it back to the man, saying “Thanks, but I have a felony conviction.” Surprisingly the man hired him and he did the job, learned the business and now has a very successful window cleaning business himself.
His wife was able to leave her $100,000-plus-per-year job and manages his business and networks for additional business. They have two beautiful sons and are fully upstanding, productive citizens.
I believe there should be a way for his felony record to be expunged.
Katherine Creech, Garland
Vote for those who work with others
It seems every so often — and too often — our elected officials in Washington like to take us to the edge of the precipice and cause us all genuine angst about the future of the country. Statesmanship and working for the welfare of all are no longer qualities for which many of them strive. Self-service and extortion seem to be more descriptive of what’s happening.
Voting based on one issue is usually not advisable. I, however, have one major goal in my candidate choices from now on. I will vote for the person who seems most likely to work with others and to seek common ground. Enough of the nasty. Enough of the name-calling and hateful rhetoric. Enough of the extremism for God’s sake.
Let’s elect people who respect the rights and opinions of everyone. What’s happening is beneath the founding principles of our nation. We are better than this.
Linda Johnston Arage, Waxahachie
Pastor was a bright light
Re: “Beloved pastor listened first and cared for all people — Legacy will last because he translated theology, culture to address needs,” by Darrell L. Bock, Tuesday Opinion.
Darrell Bock, thank you for your column honoring the late, great Tim Keller. We are a desperate people in need of bright lights pointing us to a God who is there. Shine on, Dr. Bock!
Amy P. Jones, Dallas/Preston Hollow
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