Democrats breaking quorum showed Texas what real leadership is | Opinion

For all voters

I am deeply appreciative of the Texas House Democrats for standing up to Gov. Greg Abbott by breaking quorum. Because of them, the deeply corrupt and misguided special session is over. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for their bravery.

These Democratic lawmakers have reminded Texans of all backgrounds what true transformational leadership looks like. Their refusal to legitimize a process designed to silence voters and force through an extreme agenda of gerrymandering showed a commitment to democracy in action.

Their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

- Ashley Hickson, Fort Worth

Cornyn’s stunt

I was deeply disappointed that Sen. John Cornyn requested that the FBI track down Democratic lawmakers who left the state to avoid voting on redistricting. Was this an attempt to shield Cornyn from primary challengers? Where is the sense of fairness and integrity that Texans deserve from their leaders?

Cornyn had an opportunity to use his voice to stand against this kind of political brinkmanship. I hope he’ll reconsider.

- Bo Cung, Fort Worth

Our future

Nearly 170,000 public school students live within Fort Worth city limits. They aren’t someone else’s responsibility — they’re our future workforce.

That’s why the Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce Development, in partnership with T3 — also known as Tarrant To and Through, is doing critical work: expanding early college, career and technical education, and dual credit programs, connecting schools with industry partners who can open doors.

The Fort Worth school district, under Superintendent Karen Molinar’s leadership, is putting resources where they matter most: reading, math and effective teaching. The goal is to give every child the tools to succeed and every educator the support to make it happen.

The work isn’t done, but FWISD is on the right path. We must do everything we can to show our support.

- Tom Harris, Chair, Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce Development, Fort Worth

Do your job

Our country is being led by people who spend far too much time thinking about their political situation, how they can create problems for their opponents, how they can get exposure that makes them look vibrant and how they can raise cash for their next campaign.

They should be working on their constituents’ needs: improving our environment, schools and infrastructure. In other words, they need to be doing the jobs they were sent to do.

- Bobby Darr, Fort Worth

Public in dark

The Tarrant County budgeting process is effectively closed to the public. The proposed 2025-26 budget wasn’t posted publicly until Aug. 11, just three days before a workshop and initial action, with no apparent effort to alert residents. The final vote is set for Aug. 19, following a token public hearing held at the same meeting, and immediately followed by a vote. This timeline ensures the people’s priorities will not be considered.

Other Texas counties show respect for their residents: Bexar County holds weekly August budget town halls. Harris County offers online tools and several public forums. Dallas County invites the public to all budget hearings over months of development.

Why are Tarrant County residents denied similar opportunities for meaningful participation? We deserve transparency, engagement and respect — not last-minute gestures designed only to look like public involvement.

- Harriet Briscoe Harral, Fort Worth