Columns/Opinions

By ED STERLING

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 17 extended for 30 days the state disaster declaration for counties affected by Hurricane Harvey, which pounded and flooded the Gulf Coast and moved deeply inland, spreading its destructive power.

“As long as Texas families are fighting to recover, they can rest assured that the State of Texas is fighting with them,” Abbott said. The 60 counties listed in the declaration will continue to be eligible for assistance as they recover and rebuild, the governor said.

Abbott, who remains in regular contact with congressional leaders and the Trump administration, said he has continued to request funds to rebuild Texas. On Jan. 19, Abbott said he shared Hurricane Harvey survivors’ aggravation over that fact that much-needed continuing federal disaster aid for Texas is bogged down in Washington politics.

By ED STERLING

AUSTIN — Enhanced security measures have been implemented at the state capitol complex and grounds, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Jan. 11. According to the DPS announcement, “It has been observed that some individuals or groups seek violent confrontations during protests and equip themselves for physical combat.

To ensure the safety and security of the general public and those who seek to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest, effective immediately, certain items may be prohibited from the capitol grounds unless worn or carried by a licensed peace officer.” Open-flame torches, gas masks, helmets, pepper spray and shields were included on a list of more than 20 prohibited items provided by DPS. Furthermore, the DPS said, while citizens have a right to counter-protest within the capitol complex,

By ELLIS KNOX

How does an attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 happen? Or how does the attack on the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001? Or why didn’t we think the Soviet Union (USSR) would not put medium range ballistic missiles in Cuba? Why didn’t we see these things coming? In the case of Pearl Harbor, we did. However, no one thought the Japanese would attack the “most powerful” fleet in the Pacific.

The general thinking was the attack would come in the Philippines. There were plenty of signals, but most of these came only days and hours before the attack planes appeared over Pearl. Many writers say the signals were ignored, actually the information was just not understood. Intelligence is often a fleeting thing.

By ROY KNOX

Congress has finally passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and sent it on to President Trump to sign. This will probably happen before Christmas. As expected, no Democrat voted in favor of the bill. Instead they are penning their hopes on a chance this bill will be a failure. The Democrats would rather see the working class suffer than see the Republicans be successful. The big winner here is the working class. They will make more money, pay a lower percentage of taxes, have more job opportunities and not be saddled with “Obamacare.”

• AT&T has announced its plans on a $1 billion in capital spending and a thousand-dollar bonus for 200,000 employees. I’m guessing this is not good news for the Democrats.

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By ED STERLING, Texas Press Association

AUSTIN — Top state officials last week named members to the Texas Public School Finance Commission, an agency created by legislation passed last summer during a special session of the 85th Texas Legislature.

Gov. Greg Abbott named Scott Brister of Waco, a former justice of the Texas Supreme Court, as chair of the commission.

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