GOP lawmakers call on Abbott to loosen restrictions, restart economy amid coronavirus
Hardline conservative lawmakers are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to scale back statewide restrictions amid the novel coronavirus’ spread in an effort to restart economic activity.
Members of the Texas House Freedom Caucus sent a letter Tuesday to Abbott, who is also a Republican, requesting he loosen his executive order “to the greatest extent possible while giving local jurisdictions the flexibility to respond to local conditions.”
On March 31, Abbott issued an executive order requiring Texans to stay home through April unless participating in activities deemed “essential” by the state.
Of the nine Republican members who signed the letter, four are Tarrant County-area lawmakers, including Reps. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, Tony Tinderholt of Arlington, Bill Zedler of Arlington and Mike Lang of Granbury. The caucus’ letter says it’s up to elected officials to ensure freedoms are protected, while “it is ultimately the individual Texan’s responsibility” to ensure they keep themselves and others safe by wearing masks, cleaning surfaces and abiding by social distancing guidelines.
“Texas can gradually begin to ramp up, while those with underlying conditions continue to shelter-in-place until the need no longer exists. Regardless, it is time to give more businesses the same opportunities to open for business while mitigating risks,” the letter reads.
Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat from Grand Prairie and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, criticized the letter on Twitter Tuesday.
“This is crazy and completely contrary to all guidance being provided by public health experts and medical professionals,” Turner wrote. “It’s also disgraceful that members of the Texas House are using racial, dogwhistle language like ‘Wuhan virus.’”
The caucus’ letter was addressed the same day the Texas Department of State Health Services reported a jump of 1,140 new COVID-19 cases, totaling 14,624 cases across Texas, with 1,409 people hospitalized with COVID-19. As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been at least 318 COVID-19 related deaths, over 146,000 Texans tested and an estimated 2,580 patients who have recovered, meaning they have gone at least two weeks COVID-19 free.
Abbott is expected to announce an executive order later this week related to reopening businesses amid the novel coronavirus’ spread, but emphasized in a press conference Monday that it will be a slow process, with businesses that will have “minimal or zero impact on the spread of COVID-19” being the first to open.
“This is not going to be a rush the gates, everybody is able to suddenly reopen all at once,” he said Monday. “We have to understand that we must reopen in a way in which we are able to stimulate the economy while at the very same time ensuring that we contain the spread of COVID-19.”
Krause and Lang had previously penned letters of their own to Abbott. In a letter Monday, Krause outlined seven recommendations, including continued widespread testing, while also calling for businesses that have been closed, like restaurants, gyms and salons, to reopen with proper social distancing measures.
Lang’s Tuesday letter echoed some of Krause’s recommendations, and also called for no prohibitions on public gatherings, including religious services, and allowing Texas school districts to determine whether schools remain closed for the remainder of the school year.
The caucus’ letter is the latest in a growing number of calls from conservative groups urging Abbott to restart the economy. However, epidemiologists and public health experts have said that despite improved protections, loosening restrictions now could lead to a resurgence in cases, causing hospitals to become overwhelmed and the need for stay-at-home orders to be implemented once again.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 8:53 PM.
