WICKETT — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) joined Mayor Xavier Estrada and the Wickett City Council on a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the local and statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic and answer questions from the mayor and council members

“We had an excellent discussion about real problems facing the community during this difficult time,” Landgraf said. “It is obvious that Mayor Estrada and the council members care deeply about the residents of Wickett, and I appreciate their thoughtful and deliberate service to the community.”

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

“I wanted to be sure the city knows that I am here to help however I can,” Landgraf continued. “Whether it is addressing safety concerns on our state highways, ensuring that schools have what they need for this incredibly unique upcoming school year, or anything in between.”

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) submitted a letter to Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath on Monday calling for a suspension of STAAR testing during the 2020-2021 school year.

“Now, more than ever, we need to allow our teachers the flexibility to teach their students the way they feel is best,” Landgraf writes in the letter. “And we need our students to be inspired and motivated to learn, not overcome with anxiety about a punitive test being administered in the most unprecedented health crisis in modern history.”

Earlier this year, Commissioner Morath obtained waivers from the U.S. Department of Education to waive statewide assessment and accountability requirements for the 2019-2020 school year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In his letter to the agency head, Landgraf asks Commissioner Morath to use the same reasoning to secure waivers for the upcoming school year as well.

“[I]t is obvious that administering this test in 2020-2021 will not provide an accurate assessment of Texas students or the quality of their education. It would be testing for the sake of testing, a notion to which I am adamantly and vehemently opposed,” Landgraf concludes in the letter.

Unless waivers are granted by the federal government, states are required to assess student and teacher progress annually in order to draw down federal dollars for public education funding. However, Landgraf and other Texas Legislators have long argued that the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) goes far and above what is required by federal law, and fails to accurately assess student achievement.

MONAHANS — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) attended the Monahans City Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the local and statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic and answer questions from the mayor and council members.

“Mayor Cutbirth, the city councilmen, Rex Thee and I had a great discussion about the challenges the city faces and what the legislature can do to help,” Landgraf said.

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

“I wanted to be sure to let the city know that I’m here to serve, here to work alongside them as we work to get back to normal,” Landgraf continued. “We are all in this fight together.”

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) attended the meeting of the Ector County ISD board of trustees on Tuesday to discuss school finance, the local and statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and answer questions about the upcoming 2021 legislative session.

“As a product of ECISD, my heart goes out to all of the students, teachers, administrators, and families who are struggling right now,” Landgraf said. “Dr. Scott Muri and the school board members have a colossal responsibility to ensure public education in Ector County can continue safely. I have no doubt they are up to the task and I want to provide support to them at the state level.”

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

“The next generation of West Texans deserve the best education possible, regardless of what happens with COVID-19, or a drop in state revenue,” Landgraf continued. “I look forward to helping Dr. Muri and the ECISD board do whatever it takes to be ready for the next school year.”

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.

KERMIT — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) attended the meeting of the board of trustees of Kermit ISD via conference call on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature and answer questions about the state's response to recent crises.

“I’m always excited to hear from KISD to learn more about how to improve educational opportunities for our students,” Landgraf said. “Kermit and Winkler County provide so much to Texas and I want to make sure Texas returns the favor, especially these days.”

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

“The next generation of West Texans deserve the best education possible, regardless of what happens with COVID-19,” Landgraf continued. “I look forward to helping Dr. Lopez and the KISD board do whatever it takes to be ready for the next school year."

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) joined the Andrews County Hospital District board of directors on a conference call on Thursday to discuss the local and statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic and answer questions from the board members.

“The Andrews County Hospital District board members have a lot on their shoulders these days,” Landgraf said. “But after what I’ve seen these last few months and from what I heard today, I have no doubt they will continue to rise to the challenge to meet the healthcare needs of the residents of Andrews.”

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

“I wanted to be sure the board members know I am here to help however I can as state representative,” Landgraf continued. “The lines of communication are always open, and that is more important now than ever. I’ll never stop fighting to be sure Andrews County receives the resources it needs from the state.”

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.

GRANDFALLS — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) joined Mayor Jason Copeland the Grandfalls City Council on a conference call on Tuesday to discuss the local and statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic and answer questions from the mayor and council members

"Mayor Copeland and the rest of the city council are doing an amazing job juggling the public health and economic concerns of reopening safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic," Landgraf said.  "This is a tough bunch who is doing everything they can for their city, and it motivates me to do whatever I can as their state representative to help Grandfalls be able to bounce back stronger than ever.”

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

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m inspired by my Ward County friends," Landgraf continued. "There’s a lot of work to be done to get Texas back on track, but if you want to see the right way to do things, come on out to West Texas and we’ll show you how it’s done.”

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.

MONAHANS — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) is reminding West Texans that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Military Department are deploying a mobile testing team to Monahans on Saturday, May 9th, and have coordinated their efforts with Ward County Judge Greg Holly.

“These tests are available to anyone showing even one COVID-19 symptom,” Landgraf said. “I’m grateful that our state health leaders are prioritizing the rural parts of Texas. This is a necessary step in controlling the spread of COVID-19.”

The testing site will be located at the Ward County Event Center at 1525 E. Monahans Parkway in Monahans on May 9th. Testing at this location is available by appointment only for any individual experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms. Those interested in testing may make an appointment by phone at (512) 883-2400 or online through: https://txcovidtest.org/.

“These tests will give us a clear picture of the spread of infections across West Texas, ensuring we have the resources we need in our fight against the virus,” Landgraf continued. “Judge Holly has shown tremendous leadership on this issue, and that’s a major reason why Ward County is in such a strong position when it comes to COVID-19.”

On April 20th, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas National Guard would be mobilizing to create these COVID-19 mobile testing teams. The teams are designed to focus on both rural areas that have not had access to testing and areas where an active outbreak requires additional testing capacity. 

KERMIT — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) informed State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) on Wednesday that a project to widen or rehabilitate more than 24 miles of Highway 302 will begin this month.

“This is one of the high priority projects we’ve been fighting for for many years,” Landgraf said. “Folks all across Winkler County and I made our voices heard loud and clear about the need to make safety improvements to 302, and TxDOT has listened.”

The project stretches for approximately 24.4 miles and begins at FM 181 in Ector County and ends at County Road 313 in Winkler County. The project, which entails a total reconstruction of the entire stretch of road and the addition of a turning lane, is expected to be completed in summer 2022. These improvements effectively make Highway 302 a minimum of three lanes for its entire length in Winkler County.

“Last summer, we celebrated record funding levels for the Odessa TxDOT district,” Landgraf continued. “Now it’s time to start adding pavement to the ground.”

Other expansions and rehabilitation work will take place later in the year on other stretches of  Highway 302 in Winkler and Loving counties.

Motorists are reminded that state law requires them to obey warning signs, flaggers and traffic control devices. A 4-foot buffer will be put in place between opposing lanes to offer a safer driving experience. The plan calls for two-way traffic to be maintained throughout the life of the project. Any stops in traffic will be short term and only exist long enough for traffic control devices to be moved into place. There will be times when lanes are closed on the four-lane section.

ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) is reminding West Texans that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Military Department are deploying a mobile testing team to Odessa on Saturday, May 2nd.

“I’m thankful that our community is receiving this important and necessary service from the state,” Landgraf said. “Knowledge is power, as they say, and these tests will provide actionable information that will directly impact public health in a positive way, giving us one more tool to limit the impact of COVID-19.”

Testing in Odessa will be conducted inside Barn C of the Ector County Coliseum located at 4201 Andrews Highway on Saturday, May 2nd. Testing at this location is available by appointment only for any individual experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms. Those interested in testing may make an appointment by phone at (512) 883-2400 or online through: https://txcovidtest.org/.

“Even if you are exhibiting just one symptom, whether it be a cough, trouble breathing, or a loss of taste or smell, you can set up an appointment to get a test,” Landgraf continued.

This mobile testing has been working across West Texas since last weekend, including Andrews on Friday.

On April 20th, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas National Guard would be mobilizing to create these COVID-19 mobile testing teams. The teams are designed to focus on both rural areas that have not had access to testing and areas where an active outbreak requires additional testing capacity.