We find it alarming that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is apparently opposed to publishing the Legislative Budget Board’s “Government Effectiveness and Efficiency Report.” The report is for lawmakers so they can see suggestions to reduce duplication of services and save taxpayer money. In a year when our state’s budget is stretched thin, it seems our lawmakers would be well served by the report.

Patrick’s request that the Budget Board withhold the documents runs contrary to the best practices of good, open governance.

Anyway, considering the report is merely a collection of suggestions, Patrick’s request does nothing but prevent even the mention of those suggestions.

We applaud Speaker of the House Joe Straus, who is standing up to a member of his own party to rightly call for the GEER’s publication. He and other Republicans may not agree with all the suggestions, but it would be helpful to know if there are ways to save money that GOP leaders do agree with. Anyway, saving money should be a nonpartisan issue.

We urge our local representatives, Republican and Democratic, to please stand with Straus and urge the Budget Board to publish the report. Saving money should be a priority for everyone, and this document is an important tool in that process.

Roberts a model of talent, determination

We want to congratulate Elandon Roberts on his trip to the Super Bowl later this year.

Roberts, a linebacker for the New England Patriots, is a 2012 graduate of Memorial High School, and he is an example of an athlete who is as smart and driven as he is talented on the field.

In our profile of Roberts on Thursday, he said he never grew discouraged even when he was initially skipped in the draft.

“I did what I had to do, on and off the field and in the classroom,” he said.

Roberts pointed to the role models in his family who helped keep him focused on school and on professional success, and we hope our readers — especially those who are themselves role models — will remember that being a responsible adult and a good influence can pay off years later and in unexpected ways. Young people can be demanding of time and attention, but when we spend that time and give them positive attention, they can go to great places.