Extreme weather conditions combined with an energy “island” that was intentionally kept off the national grid to avoid federal regulations has created a crisis situation this week. Millions spent most of the week without power and water. As of Friday, nearly a half million Texans were still without power and millions lacked drinkable water.
And the crisis won't end once the temperatures warm up. As those of us living in colder climates know, melting ice and snow can cause pipes to burst and peoples' homes and businesses to flood. With an ongoing pandemic and economic crisis, this is the kind of catastrophe many people may be unable to work through. Financial ruin and even homelessness are real threats for Texans, even once the temperatures rise.
Black futures month
It’s February—Black History Month, yes, but also a time to celebrate Black futures. Let’s get started.
One person, one vote
Photo by Michael Fleshman via Creative Commons
While the Voting Rights Act introduced a number of voting protections in the 1960s, we’ve seen its slow rollback over the last few decades. And even though Democrats won federal elections in November, Republicans still control the majority of state legislatures. That means they determine voting laws in many states, and they want to use that power to suppress the vote even more.