Letters to the Editor | March 9, 2023

Five very brave women have filed suit opposing Texas’ abortion ban. The law prohibits abortions with exceptions, including if a woman’s life is at risk or if the fetus has a fatal diagnosis. A doctor who performs an abortion beyond these exceptions could face life in prison. Each of the five plaintiffs valiantly exposed the devastating and very personal circumstances that brought them to such a harrowing place in their previously confidential family planning: The state of Texas was in the obstetrician’s office, invisible but succinctly omnipotent over the mother’s options and doctor’s advice. The men who wrote the law and the mouthpieces trying to defend it are all at a loss for medical clarity or guidance — they are not doctors. Fathers need to be concerned as well. Currently in Texas, the baby’s father would be helpless to support the best interests of his unborn child and its mother if that counsel is beyond the framework of the law. There are 11 other states with comparable trigger laws since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Mary Kay Owen, Downingtown

Feeling sympathetic toward the striking Temple grad students, I decided to do a little math. As reported by The Inquirer, the students work about 20 hours a week for nine months of the year. Given academia’s penchant for holidays and breaks, about 600 work hours a year seems a reasonable estimate. For those hours they are paid about $20,000 in salary, additionally about $20,000 in tuition remission, and a full individual health coverage package, a conservative cost for this being another $12,000 to $15,000 annually. So, in round numbers, the students’ total approximated compensation is $90 an hour. The students are seeking a 60% increase in salary, full health coverage for all their dependents, and additional paid leave time. While difficult to determine what those demands would cost Temple, assuming a near doubling isn’t far off. While no fan of deep-pocket universities, it appears these students are already adequately compensated. A look beyond the ivy-covered walls may serve them as a reality check.

J. Savage, Philadelphia

I served for more than 15 years as a chief warrant officer II in the U.S. Marine Corps, including six deployments to combat zones. Like many veterans, I was unsure about employment opportunities upon transitioning back into civilian life. Monroe Energy saw my work ethic and capacity for leadership. It gave me the chance to work my way through the ranks and become a trusted team member. My story is just one of many. Nearly 11% of Monroe’s employees are former or current military service members. It even has a program that focuses on hiring veterans: Military to Monroe. All of this could disappear if the Renewable Fuel Standard is not reformed soon. High compliance costs under the RFS threaten to destroy tens of thousands of independent refinery jobs like mine nationwide. The Biden administration’s recent RFS proposal only makes matters worse. Fortunately, several members of Congress representing the Philadelphia region announced they are working on legislation to prevent this crisis. On behalf of my fellow employees — especially the veterans like me — I want to thank Sens. Bob Casey and Chris Coons, and Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon, Donald Norcross, Brendan Boyle, and Brian Fitzpatrick for their efforts to save independent refinery jobs. I encourage other members of Congress to support this bipartisan legislation.

James Dietz, refinery shift leader, Monroe Energy, Trainer

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