TxDOT’s I-45 Plan Reveals Not Much Has Changed (Opinion)

We hope that the federal government’s investigation will lead to meaningful changes in the behavior of TxDOT itself. (1) termination of the agreement between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and his TxDOT imposing environmental review responsibilities on his TxDOT; Delete. Record of Determination (ROD) for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project.

TxDOT must engage in a new environmental review process reviewed and approved by the FHWA for Segment 3 compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Title VI. New environmental processes should also be implemented for segments 1 and 2, if required. The path described in the editorial has the effect of rewarding TxDOT for past bad behavior and willingness to violate federal regulations.

AC Smiley III, Humble

Ukraine aid

Regarding “Zelensky’s Sudden Visit to D.C. Made Over Months” (Dec. 21): Zelensky’s visit to Congress was aimed, of course, at getting as many billions of dollars out of American taxpayers as possible. and maintain it indefinitely into the future. Most of Congress are happy to oblige, despite critical needs in their own countries (especially many poverty-related needs). Congress is obliged because of their desire to fight a proxy war against Russia. This is essentially a war to take advantage of the Ukrainian nation and its young conscripted soldiers to fight America’s battle against Russia “down to the last Ukrainian”. A few months ago, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did the same when he said the US aim was to “undermine Russia.”

Almost all analysts, left, center and right, agree that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal and a war crime. The overwhelming tragedy of this war was so avoidable that there was an agreement to abide by the Minsk Agreements of 2014 and 2015. These agreements were intended to end the conflict between Russia and the Kyiv government and military over the pro-Russian eastern region of Ukraine. The agreement fell through because the provisions remained unenforced and both sides violated the agreement.

The US could have stopped this war by insisting that Zelensky resume negotiations based on Minsk or have no more money or weapons.

Sean Smith, Houston

migrant trafficking

“Children of immigrants who often travel alone to Houston face trafficking risks in the United States, report says” (Dec. 21): Unaccompanied Children. We have repeatedly urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Congress to adopt their long-standing recommendations to protect the health and well-being of unaccompanied children. Housing assistance and other necessary services.

A report from the Senate Minority Homeland Security Committee, recently covered by the Houston Chronicle, seems to irresponsibly cast swift release to families as the greatest threat to the safety of immigrant children.

Let’s be clear, children are safest when they are in the care of family and loved ones. A clear and present danger to the safety of unaccompanied children is long stays in government custody and separation from loved ones for months or years. Separation that can cause irreparable harm to their emotional, physical and mental well-being.

Congressmen and federal officials who are genuinely concerned about the safety of immigrant children should do everything in their power to ensure the safety of children coming to the United States. When Protect families from needless separation and long-term custody in collective housing, and ensure children and their families have access to robust services in the community.

Young Center in Houston, Deputy Program Director Pamela Nickel and Policy Director Jennifer Nagda