As part of his continued crackdown on free speech, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday threatened to withhold transportation funding from municipalities if they don’t erase “political ideologies” from their streets.
The Republican governor said he’s seeking removal of “symbols, flags or other markings on any roads that convey social, political or ideological messages” to ensure cities comply with federal and state traffic safety laws.
Although, the statement doesn’t specifically mention LGBTQ+ pride crosswalks such as those in San Antonio, Houston and other cities, it’s clear they’re a target. Abbott has repeatedly championed efforts to strip rights from LGBTQ+ Texans and has repeatedly railed against “wokeness” and diversity efforts.
Abbott’s warning also appears to emulate a threat issued by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a fellow MAGA loyalist, who threatened to yank transportation funding from cities that didn’t eradicate rainbow crosswalks and other street art. Some Florida communities are fighting that order.
“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott said. “Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets. To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas.”
Abbott added that any city refusing to comply would “face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.”
In a statement to Axios, Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, whose district includes that city’s rainbow crosswalk, pushed back at Abbott’s statement, calling it a political stunt.
“He’s wasting time twiddling with unhinged stunts and obsessing about paint colors, meanwhile over a million Texans may lose their health care coverage, grocery prices are skyrocketing, we’re at risk of flooding and extreme weather,” Kamin told the news site.
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