ODESSA — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) is communicating directly with Governor Greg Abbott about ideas he has received from West Texans on how to reopen businesses and get back to work safely amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“I’m grateful that you solicited input from the people of Texas,” Landgraf wrote in a letter to Governor Abbott earlier this week. “Many of my constituents in West Texas heeded your call, and submitted thoughtful proposals about safely reopening their businesses.”

On April 17, Governor Abbott announced the establishment of the Strike Force to Open Texas: a team of medical experts and leaders from the public and private sectors who will advise the governor on safely and strategically reopening the state. In that announcement, he called on all Texans to provide input on how the state could get back to business while still slowing the spread of COVID-19.

“I took the governor up on his offer,” Landgraf said. “I’ve received numerous ideas from business owners and workers out here in West Texas. I’ve already submitted one batch of ideas to Governor Abbott, and there’s plenty more where that came from. We’re ready to get back to work out here, to say the least.”

Governor Abbott and the Strike Force plan to announce additional steps to re-open Texas on April 27.