Letters – Texas business ranking, Dallas City Council, Lindsey Graham

Re: “Texas falls to fourth in business ranking – CNBC’s grading rewards growing economy, but notes quality of life issues,” Sunday Business story. 

Your story on CNBC’s 2026 Top States for Business rankings left out a fascinating and important part of the story: CNBC actually considers how easy or difficult it is to vote as part of the quality of life measurement. Here, Texas scored nearly last — 49th — ahead of only Tennessee. 

CNBC uses the cost of voting index, developed by Dr. Michael J. Pomante II, of the University of Michigan and Claremont Graduate University, to evaluate differences in voting access across all 50 states. The index examines state election laws governing voter registration, early voting, voter identification, absentee voting and other factors that affect casting a ballot. Texas was 48th in 2024 on the index. 

CNBC isn’t just saying that the ability to vote matters to democracy. By including voting access, it recognizes that the ability to participate in our democracy is part of what makes a state a good place to live, and part of the broader environment that businesses should consider when deciding where to invest, grow and attract workers. 

The ability to vote is part of quality of life. That’s a story worth telling. 

Robin Lederer, Dallas 

Co-founder, National Coalition for Voter Rights 

Re: “Dallas City Hall Needs a Diet,” Sunday editorial and “City Council should stop taking July off,” by Dallas Cothrum, Sunday Opinion. 

I recognize that the city leaders already know the problems set forth in the two pieces, but I hope they do read them. As the editorial asks, are we getting what we pay for? Probably not.  

It is time for leadership to ensure every dollar is spent wisely. No more trips to look at trains, give careful consideration to departing employees’ severance pay, like when our previous city manager went hopping and skipping off to Austin (with near one-half million) and, I presume, the vans to the FIFA games that were at the taxpayers’ expense.  

As Cothrum implies in his column, council members should stop treating the position as a part-time job. I suspect all citizens are thankful that the vote to increase the pay to $110,000 was soundly defeated. Council members, please step up! 

Robert Smith, Dallas 

The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the most prominent, influential and recognizable figures in American politics, helps to remind us that we are not promised tomorrow. 

It will be different not seeing Graham’s face on the political shows or the nightly news. Clearly, he has helped to shape our foreign policy and influence our allies as well as our enemies. 

Regardless whether we agreed or disagreed on Graham’s politics, his unexpected and surprising passing allows us an opportunity to reflect on our own lives and legacy, and to remember that the fragility of life is the one equalizer that unites us all. 

Barry Rothschild, Dallas/Preston Hollow 

My 3-year-old picked out his Bluey PJs to wear to bed tonight. They are his favorite. And as he did, my heart broke for another 3-year-old in Maine who wore her Bluey pajamas and now won’t have her parent by her bed tonight to read her stories or give her one more kiss. 

The senseless violence being carried out by ICE is cruel, and it is desecrating the sacredness of human life. We are seeing time and time again that there is no respect for human life and basic dignity in the actions being taken across our country by ICE agents. 

Pope Leo recently said, “To receive [immigrants] with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the ⁠dignity that belongs to every human person.” 

I pray for that sweet innocent child in her Bluey PJs, and I pray for our country to see that she and her family deserve dignity. 

Marti S. White, North Dallas 

How many ICE agents are there in the United States “protecting” citizens from all those who look or act like immigrants? Is ICE surveilling all of us? Are they roaming the streets of every city and town looking for anyone who doesn’t fit the description that the agent thinks an American should look like?  

No wonder a person might run when approached by a fully armed and masked agent. I certainly would. 

Andrea Welch, Denison 

The news every day is filled with terrifying stories of unprecedented wind and rainstorms, drought, wildfires, record heat and floods. Scientists were reported in your paper recently as attributing the frequency, intensity and duration of these weather events to climate warming caused by our over a century use of fossil fuels.  

Our long-term weather is the canary in the coal mine for our livable planet. Well, folks, the canary is dead. Time to wake up and finally do something to save our planet. 

Fred Moss, Dallas 

Re: “Pogacar scorches rivals, regains lead,” July 10 SportsDay story. 

Thanks for extra coverage of an exciting stage at Tour de France. Usually there is just a short reference because not much happened. Race day on July 9 had a lot going on. 

Doug Caldwell, Plano 

In view of the ongoing global chaos, it is no wonder that the UFOs buzzing about have not communicated. They have not seen any real intelligence! 

Robert Armstrong, Flower Mound