The people who grow your food deserve property tax breaks
If you’re so innocent, prove it
If President Donald Trump is innocent of the allegations in the impeachment inquiry, why isn’t he participating in the hearings?
The president and the GOP have been complaining about an unfair, partisan and biased process. Yet when they have the opportunity to participate and potentially clear the president’s name, they refuse to do so or to let key members in the administration participate.
- Jessica Thompson, North Richland Hills
The military’s loyalty
The editorial cartoon of Nov. 30 depicting Navy SEAL team members swearing allegiance to President Donald Trump is the most offensive editorial cartoon I have ever seen. To suggest any member of the military owes his or her allegiance to the president offends this veteran.
The oath that all military members take is to the U.S. Constitution, not the president. That office is subservient to the Constitution, or is supposed to be. The office’s recent interference in the military justice system demeans the values of the military and confuses those serving.
- Bob Scott, Colleyville
Want food? Don’t mess this up
As a Saginaw rancher, I want to give context to your editorial questioning the tax valuation of agricultural property. (Dec. 1, 4B, “Texas should close property tax loopholes for agriculture”)
Tarrant County contains 1,173 farms on 190,682 acres, including 13,186 cattle, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Plenty has changed since our ranch started in the 1930s. That’s why agricultural exemptions are crucial.
We would have been forced out long ago by skyrocketing property taxes as development surrounded our once-rural land. The open space that remains is here mostly because of producers who can stay only because of the exemptions.
Agricultural valuation is essential for food production and responsible development. The county should eliminate abuse, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
- Pete Bonds, Saginaw
Can’t pay? Then aim lower
Thursday’s front-page headline told us, “Panther Island project running out of money.” I, for one, am not surprised.
After numerous attempts to keep going without the expected federal contribution, why wasn’t the project revised to fit the funding available? The project is years into its development with no federal funding in sight, so maybe City Manager David Cooke is onto something when he says there needs to be a Plan B. Scale back the project and make alterations to the original plan.
This is something most people do every day when they don’t have funds available for a project.
- Cynthia Barksdale, Fort Worth
Ask the other candidate, too
The Dec. 4 story about Chris Putnam running against Rep. Kay Granger made a point of quoting Granger saying she thought then-candidate Donald Trump’s comments about groping women were “disgusting.” (1A, “Chris Putnam to challenge Kay Granger in GOP primary”)
Please ask Putnam the same question. I am sure I am not the only one who would like to read his answer.
- Gail Ryan, Fort Worth