Texas: Pay teachers what they deserve.

Texas, it's time to pay our teachers a living wage

As reported in the Aug. 10 edition of the Statesman, workers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's restaurants and concession stands are demanding a living wage. These essential workers, who are often the first point of contact for travelers, are currently earning a meager $20.80 per hour, which equates to an annual salary of $43,264. One worker rightfully stated, "my work is worth more than that."

Meanwhile, teachers in Texas, the backbone of our society, are earning just slightly more. A teacher with 10 years of experience makes an average salary of $45,630, while those starting out earn only $33,660. And let's not forget that teachers often work far beyond the standard 40-hour workweek, putting in extra hours for lesson planning, grading, and professional development, all without additional compensation. They also often have to spend their own money on classroom supplies, further stretching their already tight budgets. To add insult to injury, Texas law prohibits teachers from collectively organizing or striking, silencing their voices and disempowering them further.

It is unconscionable that the state of Texas, with its vast resources and wealthy elite, allows this injustice to continue. It is past time that we properly value and compensate our teachers, who are charged with the crucial task of shaping the minds of our future leaders.

Dru Edrington, Georgetown

Investing in our future: Vote for public school funding in November

The recent testimony of Commissioner of Education Mike Morath before a legislative committee comes as no surprise to those of us who have dedicated our lives to Texas's public schools - the stagnant enrollment trends are a direct result of decades of underfunding and attacks on our public education system by certain Texas Republicans. Since the 1970s, these so-called leaders have turned their backs on our children, neglecting their constitutional duty to "support and maintain an efficient system of public free schools" as outlined in Article 7 of the Texas Constitution.

It is high time we hold our elected officials accountable and demand they adequately fund our public schools, not siphon off money to private schools through vouchers. This November, let's send a clear message by voting for candidates who prioritize our children's future and commit to properly funding our public schools. Our students and teachers deserve nothing less.

Emma Lea Mayton, Austin

Law enforcement failure in Uvalde: Easy access to guns must be addressed

The recent front-page story in the Statesman detailing the failure of law enforcement to promptly respond to the Uvalde school shooting begs the question: Why is it so easy for dangerous individuals to legally obtain weapons of war? The fact that the teenage shooter was able to purchase his weapons and ammunition legally from a local gun shop is a damning indictment of our lax gun laws. And yet, the NRA and their lackeys in politics continue to hold sway, even as the majority of Americans cry out for common-sense gun control measures.

From Uvalde to the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, easy access to deadly weapons has facilitated tragedy after tragedy. It is long past time for lawmakers and the media to confront the gun lobby head-on and demand an end to the unfettered access to military-grade weaponry. Our lives depend on it.

Marty Lange, Austin

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