Every Problem In Texas Has Been Solved, Except for Colorful Crosswalks, Apparently

It’s a good thing there’s so little for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to concern himself with these days. The problems at the border have been solved, housing is affordable and in plentiful supply, all marginalized communities have as many rights as straight, white Christian men and Texas teachers are the highest paid in the country. 

Right? Wait… None of that is true? None of these vital issues has been solved, and they may be worse now than even a few years ago? Surely, you jest.  

I guess we’ll admit to being surprised that there are significant problems left for Abbott and the GOP-dominated Texas government to tackle after we reported that Abbott threatened to withhold federal transportation money from cities that do not “comply with federal road standards.”  

The governor didn’t specifically mention rainbow crosswalks in heavily LGBTQ+ neighborhoods, but he wasn’t hiding the implication either when his statement concluded that “the use of symbols, flags, or other markings conveying social, political, or ideological messages” is to be vanquished. 

A city spokesperson told staff writer Emma Ruby that Dallas has received the Texas Department of Transportation letter conveying Abbott’s wishes and that “we will review and evaluate it and provide an update to the City Council on any necessary next steps.”

Council Member Adam Bazaldua was a bit more direct in his own response, however. 

“Governor Abbott’s recent order demanding that cities remove their rainbow crosswalks, under threat of withheld funding, is nothing short of political bullying,” his statement reads in part.

Comments from Our Readers

Observer readers have taken to social media to let us know what they think of Abbott’s priorities in this most trying time. Have an opinion on this you’d like to share with us and the Dallas community? Email editorial@dallasobserver.com (and it might get published in our Opinion section).

Una from Facebook:

Who decided rainbows were political? It’s Gods creating light for joy. They are as old as the planet and have nothing to do with politics

Carol from Facebook:

What about the crosswalk designs at SMU and Uptown?

Diane from Facebook:

These are city streets not state owned or maintained. The crosswalks were privately funded.

Zack from Facebook:

It must be pretty great to live in a state with so few problems, the governor has to concern himself with nonsense. I live in Oklahoma, so I definitely wouldn’t know.

Antoinette from Facebook:

Fix the damn potholes instead of worrying about color combos!!

Tish from Facebook:

Imagine your life being so sad and pathetic that you are offended by Rainbows.

Lisa from X

What about all the Trump trucks on the roads?  Are they going to confiscate all those Trump flags?