Author: Texas Tribune

San Angelo Republican talks THC, school vouchers during Legislative wrap-up.

State only needed to pay some administration costs to get at least $400 million in federal funds.

Lawmakers passed bills that will reshape how students prepare for life after high school.

Decision comes with no immediate requirements.

By Carlos Nogueras Ramos ODESSA — At least three times a week, Darin Mitchell gets the call. Oil drums have been stolen. Copper wires were yanked. Other field equipment at an oil and gas facility was pilfered. The Winkler County Sheriff dispatches his officers to investigate, but they rarely catch the crime in the act or find the stolen product, worth tens of thousands of dollars. The West Texas county’s ten deputies are overextended, policing 841 square miles, a combination of neighborhoods, a downtown area and the oil and gas facilities surrounding them. He doesn’t have the manpower — or…

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate, did not respond to an interview request.

Texas in recent years has increasingly mirrored Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda.