Congress and President Donald Trump came to an agreement to keep the government up and running last week.
But in the president's eyes, there was not enough money in the deal for border security-particularly his signature promise of wall along the U.S./Mexico border. So President Trump declared a national emergency.
That didn't sit well with some. And now 16 states have joined in a lawsuit to have the declaration thrown out. There are other suits pending from landowners and counties in the region. House Democrats are also planning a resolution against the national emergency.
President Trump says he has the power to declare a national emergency and find the funds for a wall. He says it is a vital project for our national security.
Others disagree, saying the declaration is unconstitutional and sets a bad precedent. They say the wall is more of a vanity project than a need. The states suing say it could take away federal money sent to the states for much more important projects and programs.
We want to know what you think. Do you support President Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund the border wall? Or are you against the declaration?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, Feb. 27. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St., Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.
Last Week: Voluntary Assessment?
Last week's question was about Miller County's plan to ask residents to add an optional $20 assessment to their property taxes to reduce fees-currently $150-to have animals taken in by the shelter. Would you pay the $20 assessment if it would lead to fewer abandoned animals? Or are you against paying the assessment?
I'll be glad to pay the $20 fee to help the animal shelter. It's great to have a county judge who cares enough to help with the problem. The previous judge didn't. The city should take the money wasted on fireworks in the park and put it in on the animal shelter.-D.M., Texarkana, Ark.
I am in favor of the voluntary assessment. Provision should be made that pets are not abandoned in the community. I, for one, seem to be a magnet for abandoned pets. I am elderly and of modest income. I struggle to provide for the animals that come to me. The options I once had for finding them homes are increasingly limited. About a third of my income is taken up with their care and they need so much more.-J.M., New Boston, Texas
From Facebook.com/texarkanagazette
- How much is it going to cut the cost of adoption of a pet?