THE HILL COUNTRY NEWS A4 THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021 OPINION hillcountrynews.com

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LILLY CHANDLER TEXAS TRIBUNE ANALYSIS n Content Editor [email protected]

OFFICE HOURS: Battles loom ... if lawmakers can stay 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday 715 Discovery Blvd, Suite 304 exas politicians have spent the summer a question about Democratic criticism of the Cedar Park, TX 78613 fighting over voting legislation that pits ROSS COVID-19 responses of Republicans in charge (512) 259-4449 TRepublican proposals of “election integ- of Texas government, was flat wrong about rity” against Democratic resistance to suppres- RAMSEY who is unvaccinated in Texas. sion of voters, especially people of color and As a matter of fact, only 29% of Black Texans TO REPORT NEWS: voters who are disabled. TEXAS TRIBUNE have been vaccinated, lower than the percent- Call (512) 259-4449 The differences are about voting and elec- age of white and Hispanic Texans. But they or email: tions, but also very much about race and how That leaves the Republicans in the majority aren’t the leaders of the unprotected: Black [email protected] the state’s elected partisans view themselves of a battered institution, finishing one nasty Texans only account for 14.9% of the state’s and their opponents. Democrats in the Texas political fight on the way to a bigger one. 12.9 million eligible but unvaccinated resi- House decamped for Washington, D.C., in This is the , though, and dents, while white Texans make up 43.9% and TO REPORT SPORTS SCORES: July to stop the legislation, but enough have there’s always another way to mess things up. Hispanic Texans account for 38.1%. email [email protected] trickled back into Austin for the Legislature to Lt. Gov. interrupted the Dem- Monday marked the House’s real return resume its work. ocrats’ debacle on Thursday night with his to work since the Democrats left Austin last That voting bill is immediately ahead, but unfounded declaration that Black Democrats month. If enough members continue to show ADVERTISING: lawmakers now have the census data they should shoulder the blame for the spread of up to do business, it might be because enough For information on advertising in need to draw new political maps, slicing and the coronavirus among unvaccinated Texans. Democrats either thought they have accom- the Hill Country News, in print or dicing the state into districts from which “The COVID is spreading, particularly — plished what they set out to do, or that they just online, call 512- 259-4449 or email members of Congress, the Legislature and the most of the numbers are with the unvaccinated wore out after more than a month. [email protected] State Board of Education will be elected next — and Democrats like to blame Republicans It might mean the Republicans offered year. The current tensions over political, racial on that,” Patrick said on Fox News. some crumbs to those who agreed to return. and ethnic, and geographic representation and “Well, the biggest group in most states are If there was any negotiation between the BILLING: engagement are just a warmup. African Americans who have not been vac- House’s Democrats and Republicans, it could Address billing inquiries to: This summer of legislative discontent is also cinated. The last time I checked, over 90% of show up in how the House works with the [email protected] straining relationships and legislative norms — them vote for Democrats in their major cities Senate — whether the hard lines of the Senate like the one that gives some committee chair- and major counties,” he said. “So it’s up to the versions of bills are matched or moderated manships to Democrats in a Legislature with a Democrats to get — just as it’s up to Republi- in the House. It could show up in the order in CORRECTIONS: clear Republican majority. One of the plums — cans — to try to get as many people vaccinated. which legislation is considered, and whether We strive for accuracy and the House speaker pro tem — was held by state But we respect the fact that if people don’t the House moves quickly on bills with Demo- transparency in our reporting. If Rep. of El Paso, a Democrat, until want the vaccination, we’re not going to force it cratic support or holds those until the Republi- you believe that we have made a House Speaker Dade Phelan stripped him of it on them. That’s their individual right. can trophies have been passed. factual error in reporting, please in retaliation for Moody’s participation in the “But in terms of criticizing the Republicans This could be a legislative wipeout for the call (512) 259-4449 or email editor@ quorum-busting decampment to Washington. for this? We’re encouraging people who want Democrats. Republicans have the majorities hillcountrynews.com with a link to The Democrats left Austin in unison and are to take it to take it,” Patrick said. “But they’re in both chambers, and a Republican governor the story in question, along with returning a few at a time, splintered by differ- doing nothing for the African American com- waiting to sign off on their work. They don’t information on what you believe is ences over strategy and tactics and somewhat munity that has a significant high number of have to make concessions they don’t want to factually incorrect in the reporting. disenchanted by the ineffectiveness of the ef- unvaccinated people.” make, but what they do now will set the tone Individual columns in the Hill fort. With the return of a quorum — assuming The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. for the bigger battle ahead. Country News do not necessarily the quorum remains in place — the House has Become one. Ross Ramsey is the executive editor of the Texas reflect the newspaper’s editorial its wheels back and can start catching up to the Safe to say that his comments fed already Tribune, a non-profit, reader-supported news opinion. Senate, where Democrats stayed at work to be amplified discord about race and politics in the organization focused on statewide legislative rolled over by a Republican majority. Legislature. Patrick, who was trying to redirect and policy issues.

FULL ACCESS SUBSCRIPTION RATES: n $35.00 per year in the Hill Country News Designated Market Area including Cedar Park, Leander, Jonestown, Lago Vista, and portions LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of Round Rock and northwest Austin. n $40.00 per year throughout Community But the social media community is not I don’t know if we have the bandwidth Williamson and Travis counties. I love my community. We see each other the same, as it seems they forget about the to reach out to others because we all have n $46 per year throughout Texas. in grocery stores, at events, favorite restau- humanity of each other - they hurt each so many hurts that we are trying to move n $58 throughout the contiguous rants or on a neighborhood walk. My com- other, and they leave gaping open wounds through - but I don’t think we can move U.S. munity, my neighbors, who I interact with on each other. But that community, once forward. Not the way we are trying. face to face, act with kindness and humanity limited to the internet and two-dimensional I think, for me, it’s about going back to the toward each other and appear different than screens, has broken loose and, like some- lessons I learned in the winter storm: we take All subscriptions must be prepaid. the social media community. thing from the “upside down,” has unleashed care of each other and, maybe, if we just knock Delivery inside Cedar Park and My neighborhood, my community, into my live community. on a door and ask our neighbors if they are ok, Leander may be made by carrier washed clothes for each other, helped deliv- My heart breaks for my community be- we can start up a discussion, find what we have or mail. Full access subscriptions er water, set up warming stations and offered cause we have another storm to get through, in common, and move forward together as a include access to hillcountrynews. each other a place to stay when an unforget- but the upside down has taken such a hold, community. Because we are better together. com as well as full digital replica table winter storm took Texas and our elec- we can’t seem to see right side up. There is Trish Bode (e-edition) which may include tricity hostage. We checked in on each other, so much hurt and scarring from COVID that, Leander ISD Community Member and Parent updated content and advertising. shared food and helped each other through a as is sweeps through my home community (Bode currently serves as president of the rough spot in history. again, we are too raw. Leander ISD board of trustees) POSTMASTER: Periodicals postage paid at: Cedar Park, TX (USPS 019423) Send address changes to: both sides of the debate – who want to see you out the way you have been able to. P.O. Box 1777, Cedar Park, TX 78630 It's time to talk As members of the Williamson County step up and lead by addressing this conflict. You were elected to lead, to make tough Commissioners Court, you have found it Seeing what transpires on our Courthouse decisions, and explain and justify those deci- PUBLISHED BY: expedient and convenient to remain as silent grounds will reinforce to you this issue not sions. This is not a statue that can be kicked Chionsini Children, LTD as the Confederate monument itself on what resolve itself. It will show you the unsavory down the road any longer. It is not someone 715 Discovery Blvd, Suite 304 should be done to resolve the ever-growing image being shared with the world about else's issue, it is yours. Cedar Park, TX 78613 tension it creates as it continues to stand on where we live. Surely what the world sees and We look forward to the conversation, and © 2021 Hill Country News the courthouse grounds. imagines about Williamson County means look forward to you finding the courage to All rights reserved. It is time members of the Court engaged in something to you all. act on this issue that if continually ignored the discussion at hand rather than suffering The promised committee to consider the may soon eclipse all of the good news in our silently through public comments each week future location of the monument has never county because it has been allowed to fester as though the debate will eventually fade from materialized. To date there's no indication of for so long. the public conversation. It will not. another plan to address the issue, and that is Thank you for your time and consideration This is an open invitation for you to join us unacceptable. If you join us on a Saturday af- of this issue. on a Saturday as we gather on the square and ternoon you will see that voters in Williamson Mike Eddleman talk about concerns with constituents – on County will not turn away and tune this issue Cedar Park