Texans Already Knew What Trump Just Figured Out – It’s Going To Be a Rough Ride

Trump admits in a press conference that COVID-19 in the US will “get worse before it gets better,” echoing what Texas already knows. For Texans recovery is going to be a rough ride.

When your state leadership aligns itself with an out of touch president, you are bound to get bad policy decisions. As Texas cities and counties try to mitigate the damage the coronavirus is causing to their communities, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is arguing that locally enacted orders are largely unenforceable.

“Our hospital rooms look like war zones because there are just so many from so many sick people there.” – Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez in a CBS Evening News report.

Texas Mayors have asked Congress for additional funding to help them through the economic downturn. Worries that cities will see a surge in delinquent property taxes because of lay-offs and furloughs due to COVID-19, in conjunction with significant losses in sales tax revenue have cities projecting that 2022 will bring reductions in city employees and services.

“…we’re asking for direct assistance for state and local governments…as a result of lost revenue as a result of coronavirus itself. We are the infrastructure that supports the public and private sector, and…we are needing direct assistance.” – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

“The flexibility we are seeking is to use funding to fill budgetary shortfalls that cities are experiencing because of the virus.” – Austin Mayor Steve Adler

“What we want is the ability to use it in infrastructure projects to create jobs. Cities need to be able to apply that money in the best way they see to provide help to their communities.” – Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has promised help if there is a “real need.”

“We’re going to work with our mayors and county judges and the governor to see what the need is, and where there’s a real need we will respond,” he said on a call with the media earlier this month.

The state of Texas has already had more that 332,400 reported cases, and more than 4,000 people have died, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. More than 177,800 people have recovered.

Knowing that Texans are dying because of the lack of leadership and communities are struggling due to the economic impact of the virus, it’s time for our state leadership to make decisions based on facts and not along political lines.

“If you can, use the mask,” Pres. Trump says to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. “If you’re in a group, I would put it on…I have no problem with the masks.” pic.twitter.com/CSNxA89qmD

— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 21, 2020