Bullock Texas State History Museum
Progress Under Threat
RECEIVED Tue., April 11, 2017
Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to the article “Lege Lines: Straus vs. the Extremists” [News, April 7] by Mary Tuma and the other political news The Austin Chronicle offers. In this specific article, the Railroad Commission’s current legislation and ideological conflicts were examined in relation to Senate Bill 6, the transgender bathroom bill. I would first like to thank you for informing Austin citizens on the often overwhelming intricacies of Texas legislation. It is nearly impossible to know all of the amendments and addendums being added to bills that are not contentious or widely discussed. So, in articles like these, I can not only get information on Austin and Texas legislation, but also see the underlying implications of their introduction.
I think Texas conservative representatives like Matt Schaefer and Tony Tinderholt need a dose of empathy. They are quickly devolving into officials with such narrow goals that other important legislation is overshadowed and jeopardized in their anti-LGBTQ pursuit. By inserting amendments that directly affect transgender citizens into unrelated legislation, they undermine the manifestation of larger goals. These representatives are so obsessed with preventing trans rights that they forget to aptly represent their constituents and focus on diverse political and economic interests. Not only are their actions restrictive and divisive, they polarize the House and threaten the progress of broader legislation. When we make every issue a partisan issue, we sacrifice our goals as overall Texans.
This letter is in response to the article “Lege Lines: Straus vs. the Extremists” [News, April 7] by Mary Tuma and the other political news The Austin Chronicle offers. In this specific article, the Railroad Commission’s current legislation and ideological conflicts were examined in relation to Senate Bill 6, the transgender bathroom bill. I would first like to thank you for informing Austin citizens on the often overwhelming intricacies of Texas legislation. It is nearly impossible to know all of the amendments and addendums being added to bills that are not contentious or widely discussed. So, in articles like these, I can not only get information on Austin and Texas legislation, but also see the underlying implications of their introduction.
I think Texas conservative representatives like Matt Schaefer and Tony Tinderholt need a dose of empathy. They are quickly devolving into officials with such narrow goals that other important legislation is overshadowed and jeopardized in their anti-LGBTQ pursuit. By inserting amendments that directly affect transgender citizens into unrelated legislation, they undermine the manifestation of larger goals. These representatives are so obsessed with preventing trans rights that they forget to aptly represent their constituents and focus on diverse political and economic interests. Not only are their actions restrictive and divisive, they polarize the House and threaten the progress of broader legislation. When we make every issue a partisan issue, we sacrifice our goals as overall Texans.
Lexi Clidienst
