Politics in the crosswalk

In Texas, the roadway is a sacred place that should under no circumstances be defiled by art, especially not gay art.

That's why last week Greg Abbott put out a press release threatening local jurisdictions with "consequences" if they don't remove "any and all political ideologies from our streets."

TxDOT published a separate statement, saying, "Pavement markings such as decorative crosswalks, murals, or markings conveying artwork or other messages are prohibited on travel lanes, shoulders, intersections, and crosswalks unless they serve a direct traffic control or safety function. This prohibition includes the use of symbols, flags, or other markings conveying any message or communications."

This was all apparently prompted by a prominent bigot on TikTok freaking out about a Pride-themed crosswalk in Houston.

The upshot is that Austin needs to get rid of the rainbow crossing at 4th & Colorado and the "Black Artists Matter" painted on 11th St or else risk the wrath of state government in some form or another.

I got a coupla thoughts...

When did TxDOT start caring about safety? "To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas," said Abbott.

The last day someone didn't die on Texas roads was Election Day, 2000. Texas roads are deadlier than the national average, which is especially bleak when you consider that roads in America are far deadlier than in the rest of the western world.

There are measures that are proven to reduce roadway deaths, which in the U.S. are about twice as common as murders. Those measures, most of which are aimed at slowing down cars, explain why traffic deaths in other industrialized countries have plummeted over the past 30 years, even as they've risen here. TxDOT in general and the Abbott-led TxDOT in particular has shown no interest in designing roads in a way to minimize death. In fact, when local governments take measures to make their roads safer, TxDOT often intercedes to ensure they remain unsafe.

Mayor's response: On the Council message board Watson wrote that city staff had identified "approximately 16 locations with markings that could be applicable" and that "failure to remove the paint would jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars," including $175 million in state and federal grants for the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. He added:

When this edict was announced, I issued a statement that said, in part, "With all the needs we have in this state, it's disappointing and a waste of time to be talking about this. Austin will comply with state law and we'll demonstrate our love for all Austinites in other ways. We have a lot of pride. We'll live it and we'll show it."

I'm hopeful you will join me in a proposal. I've asked staff to immediately help with a plan to allow for us to represent our diverse community, show our love and pride, and allow Austinites to participate in expression. For example, I envision banners along Bettie Naylor Street, potential permanent fixtures on city-owned property like sidewalks or utility poles, potential painting of sidewalks, and things I'm sure I'm not thinking about.

Not bad. I think he is playing this just the right way. It maximizes sympathy for Austin and makes Abbott look like a petulant child. Yes, we will comply with your sexual insecurities, governor.

The silver lining to the GOP's relentless censorship campaign at the federal and state level is that it's extremely unpopular. Americans really don't like being told what they can't say. Indeed, Trump's success has a lot to do with people's frustrations with a progressive politics and culture that is often sanctimonious and censorious.

Now that we're in the midst of this authoritarian moment, hopefully liberals recognize the importance of re-establishing themselves as the undisputed guardians of free speech. That means protecting the legal right to free speech, of course, but just as important as that is supporting a culture of free speech, where differences are tolerated, even celebrated.

One more thing: According to Watson, city staff has identified 16 instances of street artwork around the city that might run afoul of Abbott's edict. But let's be real: all Abbott cares about is the LGBT crosswalk and the Black Artists Matter thing on E. 11th. I hope they're not going to go through the trouble of disrupting the artsy street-calming measures that some neighborhoods have put in place. I guarantee you Abbott will not be checking in on that.

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