Crime and punishment
Protester bill crosses line
Regarding “Bill would jail pipeline protesters” (Business, Wednesday): The headline belongs on the front page. HB 3557 redefines interruptions at construction sites as impeding critical infrastructure even though it is not in operation and makes such action a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Frequently protesters do impede progress to make their point, and they can expect to pay a fine or spend a few days in jail. But by imposing such a harsh penalty, the obvious intent of HB 3557 is to quash peaceful protest, and that crosses the line to totalitarian government. And that can’t happen here because we have the First Amendment.
If Gov. Abbott signs this bill, there is no way it could pass muster as a constitutional law. That means it is time for Americans who value free speech to get out our checkbooks and support organizations such as the ACLU and the Sierra Club. Kenneth Meyers, Houston
Crazy bill will haunt us
Regarding “Tax appraisers: Bill ‘just lunacy’ (Front page, Wednesday): For once I have to agree with the appraisal districts’ stance on a piece of legislation. Having spent 40 years defending taxpayers’ rights as a property tax professional representing large property owners, it is hard for me to voice this opinion. However, this bill appears to go too far in attempting to protect those rights by potentially hamstringing local taxing jurisdictions’ ability to budget for, levy and collect taxes.
Having seen situations where residential taxpayers without representation were denied assessment relief because they failed to “check the right boxes,” I understand the rationale for the bill. But I also see the opportunity for crafty tax representatives and attorneys to manipulate the process to keep the door open to challenges over an extended period of time by filing initial protests on the basis of limited grounds, then coming back for another bite of the apple on grounds not included in the original filing.
The annual property tax process demands reasonable closure in a relatively narrow window in order for the process to work. This bill is a recipe for chaos, and Gov. Abbott should veto it. Bill Fowler, Kingwood
Prosecution and shootings
Regarding “In my wallet, a photo of a Santa Fe victim” (Opinion, Wednesday): Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke’s op-ed concerning murder, gun violence in schools and gun control has some good points, but like so many essays on these subjects, fails to explain how the proposed vague solutions would have prevented past gun violence.
A better approach to the murder that took place at Santa Fe is to write a penal code just for such shootings. First require trial within 30 days (or some reasonable time) of arrest. Note it has been more than a year and no trial in the Santa Fe case. Second, in the event of a guilty verdict all appeals must be filed and heard within 60 days (or some reasonable time) of conviction. Third, have strict guidelines for the punishment to be give on conviction.
Laws restricting gun ownership and penal codes will not stop crime, but changing the penal code can make sure that those convicted of the crime are swiftly and properly punished for their crime. Walter M. Caskey, Rosenberg