by Nate Criswell

In a packed Hood County Commissioners Courtroom with over 50 fired-up residents and more than a dozen public comments, the controversial "Project Spectrum" tax abatement for Amazon got tabled—for now. 

Taxpayers scored a hard-fought victory against this corporate handout, but mark my words: it'll slither back onto the agenda soon. 

When it returns, how will swing-vote king Kevin Andrews cast his ballot? With bonds for a $149 million jail and road improvements hitting the ballot next week, his silence is deafening—and dangerous.

This is the latest chapter in the court's toxic personality clashes, spearheaded by County Judge Ron Massingill and Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson. 

These two egos can't agree with Conservatives on the color of the sky, turning every major decision into a deadlock. Massingill, still hurt from past grudges—like his insults to Commissioner Nannette Samuelson, telling her she "Can fetch our coffee", teams up with Jack Wilson to push agendas that leave the court split. 

Enter Kevin Andrews, Precinct 1 Commissioner, who perpetually plays tiebreaker on every contentious issue, except for a change he tries making to animal control each year. 

It's no accident; these conflicts are personal power plays that force Andrews into the hot seat, deciding the fate of our tax dollars while the instigators hide behind the drama. It's a Good ol' boys club circus where real issues get buried under vendettas, leaving us to pay the price.

As the most powerful member of the court, we can't let Commissioner Kevin Andrews dodge accountability here.  We must know where he stands on Abatements.

Yesterday, on October 13, he posted on Facebook in the Hood County Breaking News group, defending the deal: "When you get all the facts about this you can see the real payoff for Hood County. Of course you can fight this and let Somerville County get it..." Sounds like he's already leaning toward giving Amazon a free pass, mentioning vague "payoffs" while ignoring the facts. But here's the gut punch: Amazon's "fair share" in property taxes could more than cover the $149 million bonds, sparing families from higher debt loads amid skyrocketing costs. 

Why let a trillion-dollar titan skip out, negating their contribution and sticking us with the bill? 

It's infuriating—moms worrying about school supplies, dads work overtime just to make ends meet—while Bezos gets a bailout.

Factually, it's a fiasco: a 75% abatement for 30 years means millions lost, enough to fund the jail for safer streets and the road projects. Residents are raging, vowing to vote against the bonds if this returns and passes. 

We must pressure Andrews to go public—immediately. 

Demand he states plainly: Does he support robbing Amazon of their fair share, dooming our bonds and burdening taxpayers? Call his office, flood his Facebook, show up at meetings. 

Kevin's Office Phone Number: 817-408-2517
Kevin's County Email: kandrews@hoodcounty.texas.gov

Kevin, the spotlight's on you—side with the people, and stick to the Republican Party of Texas platform. 

Hood County deserves straight answers, not public displays of indecision.