Assignment Sixteen - Opinion (Local Issue)

 Vote Local

How many times, every four years, do you here someone say, "my vote doesn't matter?" Election years bring forth a multitude of different topics, and things to think about. It seems like no matter where you go or what you're doing, you will always be able to talk to someone about politics and there will almost always be someone who is willing to argue about it. While many of these political discussions may seem too large for any of us to actually have an affect on the decision, there are many ways our voices do matter during an election year. Election years are not just who will be the next president of the United States, we also must vote and decide on what is best for our local communities and governments. In Corpus Christi, multiple propositions were found on the ballot, projects that could make a big impact on the community.

In 2020 Corpus Christi approved $75 million in bond issues this election, all which encompasses about 42 different infrastructure projects. Each of these dollars has been voted on for the betterment of the community. Proposition A "provides $61 million to 22 different street projects." Voting towards this is voting towards an improved transportation system and stronger roads. Proposition B is a bond worth $12 million that will be devoted to "18 park projects, including replacing old city playground equipment, designing a new city pool facility, and adding a new animal rescue center at the Texas State Aquarium." Proposition C, a public safety facilities bond issue measure was seen on the ballot in the 2020 election for the Corpus Christi area. This proposition if voted as a yes "supports authorizing the city to issue $2 million in bonds to fund public safety facility projects, with priority for improvement and innovation of Fire Station #3 and the Police Academy Complex, and to renew property taxes to repay the bonds." A "[...]"no" vote opposes this measure authorizing the city to issue [the bonds] to fund public safety facility projects." While each of them have already been approved, the vote "yes" is the one I would've leaned towards.

In my opinion, each one of these bonds will be beneficial to the community and have few negative reasons as to why these bonds shouldn't have passed. Looking at it from every point of view, the money is being used in the best way possible. While I am sure there are a multitude of different projects that need attention in the Corpus Christi area, these bonds are a positive start. The community of Corpus Christi voted for the betterment of their community, their vote mattered.