ODESSA — The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) informed State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) on Thursday that Ector County and Midland County will be receiving a shipment of Abbott testing instruments and supplies to help in the fight against COVID-19. The tests, developed by Abbott Laboratories, can produce a positive or negative test result for COVID-19 in as little as five minutes, making them particularly useful in response to dynamic outbreak situations.

“This is a big deal in the battle against coronavirus here in the Permian Basin,” Landgraf said. “The Abbott tests have been able to produce results in minutes, rather than days or weeks. This makes our community safer by giving us a more accurate picture in a shorter amount of time.”

DSHS worked to distribute Abbott testing instruments and supplies to public health and health care entities in counties that have less access to testing and that are also experiencing community spread of COVID-19.

“I’m thankful we will now have one more weapon in our fight against COVID-19,” Landgraf said.

DSHS reports that deliveries of the testing kits will take place this week.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) attended the virtual Odessa City Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the local and statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation projects in the city, and answer questions from the mayor and council members.

"I had a great discussion with Mayor Turner and the council members," Landgraf said.  "City leaders are threading the needle, doing what needs to be done to keep people safe and healthy, while also balancing the unique economic considerations of our region. I wanted to communicate to them that I’m here to help them serve our fellow Odessans in any way possible."

Landgraf, who represents Ector County in the Texas House of Representatives, met with the city council to offer any assistance the city may need from the state.

"I make it a priority to meet regularly with Odessa city officials," Landgraf continued. "A challenging time like this is when it’s most important for us to work together for the people we serve."

Landgraf is attending this and other local government meetings across the Permian Basin to keep locals informed about actions to combat the coronavirus and prepare for the next session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes at the Texas Capitol in January 2021.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) joined members of the Ector County Utility District on a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the local and statewide response to COVID-19 and answer questions from the board members.

"I want to support ECUD in their efforts any way I can," Landgraf said. "Meeting the water infrastructure needs for the people and businesses in West Odessa is always necessary, but it is of even greater importance during these uncertain times."

Landgraf, who represents Ector County in the Texas House of Representatives, joined the call with the utility district to offer any assistance the city may need from the state.

"I will take what I learned today to Governor Abbott and my colleagues in the legislature to make sure Ector County gets the state resources it needs," Landgraf added.

Landgraf is attending this and other local government meetings across the Permian Basin to keep locals informed about actions to combat the coronavirus and prepare for the next session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes at the Texas Capitol in January 2021.

ANDREWS — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) attended the virtual Andrews County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday to discuss the local and statewide response to COVID-19, transportation projects in the county, and answer questions from the commissioners.

"Andrews County has a lot on its plate," Landgraf said. "Judge Falcon and the other commissioners are doing what needs to be done to keep the people of Andrews safe and healthy, while balancing the economic considerations in the county. It’s a balancing act, but they’re doing it."

Landgraf, who represents Andrews County in the Texas House of Representatives, met with the commissioners court to offer any assistance the county may need from the state.

"It is always a priority for me to meet regularly with local officials, but it is even more important right now," Landgraf continued. "I will take what I learned in this meeting to Governor Abbott and my colleagues in the legislature to make sure Andrews County gets the state resources it needs."

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) launched a webpage to provide information and resources related to the novel COVID-19 virus to keep his constituents informed and safe. The webpage can be accessed through this URL: https://www.brookslandgraf.com/covid_19_resources_info

“I wanted to provide a way for my constituents to be able to access verified information from trusted sources in real time,” Landgraf explained. “This page accomplishes that goal, and I hope it helps folks get the information and services they need quicker.”

The webpage provides ways to access various state and local government agency websites, the Texas Students MealFinder Map -- which will allow Texas parents to locate education facilities serving meals in local communities -- and information on how to volunteer or help the state identify sources of additional medical supplies. The webpage also provides access to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) COVID-19 dashboard, containing real time data and mapping out the outbreak across the state of Texas.

“West Texans can accomplish anything they set their minds to,” Landgraf continued. “Just give us the facts and we can come up with a roadmap to solve any problem. We will get through this together by being prepared and informed.”

ANDREWS — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) attended the Andrews Independent School District Board meeting on Monday to discuss the state of public education in Texas.

"I've always appreciated the Andrews ISD board members' perspective and support," Landgraf said. "We had a great discussion about actions taken by the legislature in 2019 to reform education and reduce Robin Hood recapture payments for school districts across the state."

Landgraf, who represents Andrews County in the Texas House of Representatives, met with the school board to offer any assistance the district may need from the state.

"Our collaboration has been a fruitful one," Landgraf continued. "Dr. Azam and I worked on an amendment to the education code in 2019 to provide school districts subject to recapture flexibility as to when payments are made and the ability to earn interest on recapture payments; AISD already has great plans for how they will leverage this creative funding stream."

Landgraf is attending this and other local government meetings across the Permian Basin to prepare for the next session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes at the Texas Capitol in January 2021.

MONAHANS — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) attended the Ward County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday to discuss transportation issues ahead of the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature.

“I appreciate Judge Holly and the commissioners for allowing me to join them for the meeting,” Landgraf said. “We discussed transportation improvements throughout Ward County and other issues having a big impact on our residents.”

Landgraf, who represents Ward County in the Texas House of Representatives, is attending this and other local government meetings across the Permian Basin to prepare for the next session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes at the Texas Capitol in January 2021.

Rep. Landgraf speaking at the Ward County Commissioners Court meeting.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) sent a letter to the executive director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) on Tuesday asking the agency to reconsider its decision to sign on to a decade-long lease for office space in downtown Austin that will cost TRS $326,000 per month in rent payments.

"For the better part of the last decade, teachers and legislators have been told that the Teacher Retirement System of Texas was on the brink of financial insolvency," Landgraf writes in the letter. "The 10-year lease agreement for the office space in downtown Austin for TRS' Investment Management Division staff does not support such a claim."

TRS agreed to terms to lease three floors of Indeed Tower, which is still under construction on 6th Street in the heart of downtown Austin. The 100,000 square foot space would serve as the new location for its 180-person investment management division.

"I am confident TRS can find suitable office space that does not call into question the agency's commitment to being an effective steward of state resources," Landgraf's letter continued. "If alternative space cannot be found in the Austin area, I would be happy to help the agency find extremely affordable office space out here in the Permian Basin."

EL PASO — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) joined other legislators at a field hearing of the House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety on Thursday in El Paso. This is the third field hearing conducted by the committee in a city that has recently experienced a mass shooting.

"I hope this hearing helped the people of El Paso take another step towards healing even though nothing can ever replace the lives lost on that fateful day in August," Landgraf said. "I'm deeply saddened that our communities will forever be linked because of two acts of mass violence that took place less than 30 days apart, but I have renewed hope in my fellow Texans after witnessing the resolve of those who testified at Thursday's hearing."

The House Select Committees on Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety was created following the deadly shootings in El Paso and Odessa in August of 2019. The purpose of the committee is to receive testimony and make proposals to the Texas Legislature to help reduce the occurrence and impact of mass violence. “My goal for this committee is to propose methods for reducing mass violence in Texas while preserving constitutional due process and protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Texans,” Landgraf added.

AUSTIN — This Christmas, an ornament that highlights Monahans hangs on the Texas-grown Christmas tree in the State Capitol building. Robert Peña of Monahans designed and created the ornament, which captures the beauty of the sun setting in the West Texas sky behind silhouettes of pumpjacks and windmills.

"I am proud to have such a beautiful ornament to pay tribute to Monahans and the rest of House District 81 at the Capitol this Christmas," State Representative Brooks Landgraf said. "Mr. Peña works in the oilfield, but he has obviously still found time to become a fine artist, providing another example of a hard-working West Texan with many talents."

Rep. Landgraf & artist Robert Peña.	Rep. Landgraf & wife, Shelby Landgraf.

The ornament will hang proudly on the 25-foot native Texas Christmas tree in the Texas House Chamber through the end of December.