West Texas Mayors Address Gov. Abbott: 'Every Business is Critical'

SAN ANGELO, TX -- As states begin to re-open economies, a coalition of West Texas mayors came together to ask Governor Abbott to allow the re-opening of all businesses.

In the letter, the mayors of San Angelo, Big Spring, Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland, and Odessa thanked the governor for his leadership during the pandemic.

"Thank you for your leadership during this crisis. The weight of our state is on your shoulders and there have been many difficult decisions made to protect Texans."

They also stressed the need to allow each city the ability to make the decisions that best serve their constituents. 

"Our cities have different needs and different approaches to address this crisis, but we agree on these important principles:

Every business is critical in West Texas. Every business that can operate at a low or mitigating risk should be operating."

The mayors argued that each city should have the opportunity to analyze their local data and make the adjustments that keep their citizens safe while allowing the local economy to reopen safely.

They reiterated that their individual plans to re-open heavily rely on physical distancing as the "most important component in slowing the spread of COVID-19."

"In rural West Texas, we want to re-open with strict physical distancing measures in place. Each city can best determine how to implement that measures in their own city.”

They emphasized that their communities are learning how to comply with public health guidelines and are ready to make any changes they need to go back to work.

The mayors also argued that many of the businesses in rural communities are defined as essential businesses under state guidelines and can operate safely by increasing hygiene practices and enforcing social distancing.

"Where Texans can be safely working, we want them to work. Every business that can mitigate risk should be allowed to be open and participating in our economic recovery. Thank you for listening to the voices in West Texas. We are really trying to implement these changes and begin to reopen West Texas.”

Special thank you to Big Spring Mayor Shannon Thomason for providing San Angelo Live with a copy of the mayor's letter.