Texas Values Supports Movement To Reopen Texas

Texas Values is supporting the effort, signed onto by over 200 leaders across Texas, to reopen the Texas economy. We also support reopening Texas churches and faith-based nonprofits. We have heard from many Texans on these issues and we share their concerns. We can work together to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and still practice our faith in a safe and responsible manner.

A copy of the open letter sent to Gov. Abbott is below:

“Dear Governor Abbott:

The Chinese Coronavirus pandemic and the government-ordered responses to it are
devastating the Texas economy and imposing untold harm on Texas families. The additional burden of the Russia-Saudi Arabia oil fight has compounded the economic drag.

Thankfully, infections, hospitalizations, and even deaths have fallen far short of the worst-case scenarios some had projected. The virus appears to be on the decline worldwide and especially in Texas very soon – if not already.

Texas should enact a clearly communicated and citizen-driven plan to prudently and carefully return Texans to work, to church, and possibly back to school.

State Reps. Matt Krause and Mike Lang sent excellent recommendations, presenting strong suggestions on how to move the economy again and stand Texans back on their feet. Those recommendations include removing the distinction between “essential” and “non-essential” businesses; allowing restaurants, gyms, salons, and other businesses to reopen provided they take commonsense measures to maintain social distancing; and, continuing to waive regulations already waived for an extended and defined period.

Both sets of suggestions are strong on “recommendations” and short on mandates. That is as it should be; trust your fellow Texans to self-govern. Lang and Krause offer a roadmap which, if correctly implemented, would do much to assist hardworking Texans in restoring normalcy and our state’s economy.

A number of other ideas should be prudently reviewed and considered. For example, we strongly encourage you to re-open the state’s parks. Similarly, please force local entities to lift the onerous restrictions they have foisted on Texans and curtail their ability to impose others.

Few are expecting or proposing an immediate lifting of all restrictions and recommendations imposed by the state as we seek to recover from this pandemic, but every restrictive order that remains must be justified with facts and accompanied by clearly communicated standards and timelines for its lifting.

The people of Texas are strong and resilient. They have shown – both in this crisis and in every previous crisis – that they are willing to sacrifice for their neighbors in times of need.

They deserve the kind of leadership from their state officials that works with them to chart a course to recovery and an end to this diminished status quo.

Governor Abbott, Texans are once again looking to you to lead.
For a strong, free, and prosperous Texas”

Read the full letter here: For A Strong Texas Forward

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