Governor Abbott Finally Responds to Fayette County Judge After Pressure from the Record
Weber: “Any county judge who writes him a letter deserves a response.”
Fayette County Judge Joe Weber sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott back on July 24 asking for a waiver to some of the state’s pandemic restrictions.
The Governor’s staff finally got around to answering last Thursday, Sept. 10, but only after the Record sent an email to the Governor’s press secretary earlier that day inquiring about Abbott’s failure to respond.
In the July 24 letter, Weber asked Abbott to waive the closure requirement for rural bars and wineries in Fayette County.
“There is a stark difference between these establishments and those located in densely populated municipalities such as Sixth Street in Austin,” Weber wrote to the Governor. “The economic impact on the owners of these facilities has reached the point that if they are not allowed to reopen soon, their businesses will not open again. That is a fact. I propose a plan that can solve this dilemma while complying with your intent and current orders.”
In the letter, Weber detailed a plan allowing bars and wineries to re-open with requirements for outside seating, face masks, social distancing and temperature checks. He even offered to personally monitor those establishments to make sure they abide by the restrictions.
“Governor, I cannot stress enough the importance of this initiative and the positive impact it will have on many of our small business owners,” Weber’s letter stated. “Your efforts in combating the virus statewide are most appreciated, and I along with the residents of Fayette County look forward to continuing to support you and your staff in reopening Texas. I would ask that you strongly consider permitting this request in support of local officials who, too, are trying to reopen Texas in their rural communities in a safe and responsible manner.”
Weber told the Record about the letter and Abbott’s failure to respond several weeks ago. On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Record asked Weber if Abbott ever got back to him.
“No he hasn’t,” Weber told the Record in an interview around noon on Thursday.
“I’m sure he gets lots of letters, but I would expect him to respond,” said Weber, a fellow member of Abbott’s Republican Party. “I’m frustrated. But here’s my deal. He’s our Governor. I don’t agree with all of his policies. But he’s our Governor. If he tells me to do something, I’m going to do it. I’m not going to openly rebel against him. I think that’s what’s wrong with our country today.
“I don’t agree with the mask mandate,” Weber added. “I don’t believe that it was necessary or required. But the rule is out there, and you’re not going to see me breaking it. That’s disrespect for the law. But I think any county judge who writes him a letter deserves a response.”
The Record sent an email to John Wittman, Abbott’s press secretary, shortly before 1:30 p.m. last Thursday. Weber called the Record about 4 p.m. to say he just got off the phone with the Governor’s office. Abbott didn’t call himself. That afternoon, Sept. 10, the Governor was busy at a press conference announcing a campaign to punish local governments that attempt to defund police.
Rather, Weber said he spoke with the Governor’s deputy chief of staff, Gardner Pate. Weber said Pate was very apologetic for the late response. Weber said Pate reported that the Governor plans to lift some of the restrictions soon, but that he was waiting until after Labor Day to do so.
“I’m glad they got back with me,” Weber said.
The Record sent another message to Wittman last Friday asking why the reply to Weber took so long. The Record also asked why the Governor has not called a special session of the State Legislature so that elected representatives can help guide the state’s response to the pandemic.
No one from Abbott’s office has responded.
In the last gubernatorial election in 2018, Abbott easily won Fayette County with 82 percent of the vote.
As for Abbott’s recent initiative to punish local governments that attempt to defund police, Fayette County has little to fear.
Last month, Weber and the four county commissioners voted to increase funding to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in next year’s budget. The judge and commissioners even added funds to the budget for a deputy position that the Sheriff’s Office did not request.