I’ve been wondering what the Globe-News would put in the Thursday morning space previously taken up by Amarillo Voices columnists. Well, now we have our answer: John Smithee!
Smithee’s “Guest Column” allegedly describes what he “intend[s] to accomplish for [his] constituents in the upcoming legislative session.” Okay. Worthwhile, if a bit late since the election, as I recall, was in November. I sat down to learn what was in store for Smithee’s constituents.
I still don’t know. Smithee’s piece was infested with platitudes and truisms such as: “There is no easy answer” and “We will not support any plan that is not fair to Panhandle citizens.” Two-thirds of the column describes the various methods of financing schools and the shortcomings of each, while providing no clue what Smithee thinks ought to be done. Most of the rest of the column deals with closing an insurance loophole. And the final paragraph reads thus:
Locally, my legislative agenda involves four primary issues: enhancement of higher education opportunities at Amarillo College, West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center; a long-term plan for preservation and stewardship of Palo Duro Canyon, including the development of a first-class visitor's center in the park; improving our Panhandle highway system, including the appearance of Interstate 40 in Amarillo; the development of a roadside rest park west of Amarillo; and ensuring that no Panhandle county is required to pay a constable unless the citizens of that county determine a constable is needed.
That’s all very nice, but rather short on specifics. So, I spent a little time checking out Rep. Smithee’s voting record.
Suffice it to say that the jury is still out, but the future doesn't look good for liberal voices on the AGN Opinion page. Check comments for specifics or to add your own observations about Smithee's record.
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