April 6, 2026 Newsletter
April 6, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 14
Highlights:
* City Council meets Tuesday for I-20 & Kelly Elliott zoning case (SB840 controversy) and to establish form-based zoning.
* AISD to meet on Thursday.
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_14.html
Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.html
Arlington is a city where citizens are relegated to being spectators, rather than players on the field. The SPECTATOR helps citizens know what is happening on the field. Only a few of the in-house team members are allowed to play ball in Arlington. The SPECTATOR helps citizens understand the game.
GAME SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, April 7: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 9:45am, 3:30pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, April 9: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Saturday, April 11: Arlington Paper Shredding, Electronic Recycling event, southeast corner of Cooper and Mitchell, 8:00am-2:00pm. Proof of residency required.
Wednesday, April 15: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Monday, April 20: Start of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Election, 8:00am-5:00pm.
Tuesday, April 21: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, April 23: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Tuesday, April 28: City Council Spring Retreat.
Tuesday, April 28: End of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Saturday, May 2: Municipal and ISD Elections, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, May 5: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council is scheduled to meet for a full slate of meetings this Tuesday, April 7. The first of two committee meetings is 9:45. The afternoon meeting will begin at 11:15am and go into a long executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. The evening meeting begins at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet at 9:45am to discuss the federal grants Plan Year PY2026 Action Plan and funding overview (presentation).
The Transportation and Municipal Infrastructure Committee will meet at 10:30am to discuss a Handi-tran update report (presentation).
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting will begin at 11:15am and go into a long executive session. The executive session agenda includes:
Legal discussion regarding sign regulations.
Discussion of the settlement with AISD for the sidewalk improvement project at 1221 E. Division Street. [Commentary: This sidewalk project is getting ridiculous... If they don't want to allow for the sidewalks, let them walk in the mud...]
Discussion of real properties purchases and values in Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #5 [Entertainment District].
Council appointees’ performance reviews (I believe this is the large time consuming portion).
Offers of incentives for business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. That portion of the agenda includes one work session item, three informal staff reports, and outside committee reports.
Work Session Item: Council Priority – Enhanced Mobility is the work session item (presentation).
The three informal staff reports are:
Professional Services Contract for 401(k)/457 plans (staff report).
Commercial motor vehicle parking facilities (staff report).
Door-to-door selling (staff report).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes 22 consent agenda items, one ordinance, six public hearings, and resolution of a land sale.
Consent agenda item 8.8 is where the city grosses $100,000 in a sponsorship deal, but then turns around and pays 36% commission to the consultant firm (staff report).
The ordinance is to modify the smoking ordinance (staff report). They wish to include vaping as part of the ordinance.
Public hearing #1 is to update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to allow for a form-based code zone (staff report).
Public hearing #2 is for establishing a extremely large form-based code zoning area including much of downtown (staff report).
Public hearing #3 is for ZA25-6 at the northwest corner of Kelly-Elliott and Interstate 20 (staff report). They wish to change residential zoning to straight neighborhood commercial (NC). The problem is it would then be eligible to become multi-family (MF) with NO council or P&Z approval thanks to SB840 approved by the state last year. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report also has an article on this case at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/01/proposed-zoning-changes-in-arlington-lead-to-debate-surrounding-new-state-laws-apartments-and-blanket-zoning/ .
Public hearing #4 is for PD20-22R1 at 109 W. Rogers Street (staff report). They wish to add short-term rentals as a permitted use, currently prohibited by the PD's restrictions.
Public hearing #5 is for ZA26-2 at 2401 W. Green Oaks Boulevard (staff report). They wish to change the existing planned development veterinary zoning to neighborhood commercial (NC).
Public hearing #6 is for SUP08-2R1 at 8380 Glenn Day Drive (staff report). They wish to establish a drilling zone.
The city will be selling the property it recently purchased at the southwest corner of Lamar and Collins to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and returning the $19,000,000-plus commissions to the water account it used for the purchase (staff report).
Council Leftovers
The sixth Arlington Spectator question for the candidates: Other than public safety what is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?
Ballot Order:
Mayor
Hunter Crow - I would likely focus on economic justice and environmental sustainability. I often frames city issues through the lens of how they affect the working class and marginalized communities.
- The Issue: Crow I likely identify public transportation and housing affordability as the primary issues. He frequently argues that Arlington’s lack of a traditional mass transit system is a "tax on the poor" and a barrier to social mobility.
The "Why": I would point out that current city priorities favor corporate interest and wealthy developers over the 15% of Arlington residents living below the poverty line.
My Suggestions for improving Arlington
Rent Control & Tenant Protections: I would likely propose city-level protections for renters to prevent displacement as redevelopment occurs.
Climate Resilience: I would likely push for "green infrastructure," such as expanding the tree canopy and implementing solar mandates for new commercial builds, to lower utility costs for residents.
End Subsidies: I would suggest an immediate moratorium on corporate welfare, redirecting those millions toward a municipal fund for food security and social services.
"Beyond public safety, the most vital issue is our lack of connectivity. My Vision 34 Corridor proposal addresses this by transforming SH 34 into a hub of fixed-route transit and affordable, mixed-use living. We must stop spending millions on stadium parking lots and start investing in a corridor that moves people, supports local business, and finally connects North and South Arlington."
I do point to the Vision 34 Corridor as one of my comprehensive solution.
1. The Core Concept: Redefining "Development"
While the city focuses on the Entertainment District, My Vision 34 Corridor focuses on State Highway 34 (SH 34). I view this corridor as an untapped resource for connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, and education.
The Shift: Instead of "pockets" of luxury development, I propose a continuous artery of growth that benefits the neighborhoods it passes through, rather than bypassing them.
2. Solving the Transit Crisis
I would argue that Arlington is the largest city in America without a fixed-route mass transit system.
The Vision: I propose using the SH 34 corridor as the primary spine for a high-capacity transit system (potentially light rail or dedicated bus rapid transit).
The Goal: By connecting the northern and southern ends of the city via this corridor, one of my aims to reduce car dependency and lower the "transportation tax" currently paid by working-class families who must maintain vehicles to survive in Arlington.
3. Economic Justice and "Small-Scale" Mixed Use
In the context of the RMU (Regional Mixed Use) and SB 840 questions discussed earlier, my Vision 34 proposal advocates for a different kind of density:
Human-Scale Growth: Along the Corridor, I envision high-density, mixed-use housing that is permanently affordable.
Local Business Priority: I would use the Corridor to incentivize local small businesses and "mom-and-pop" shops over the massive corporate chains usually found in the Entertainment District.
4. Environmental and Fiscal Sustainability
I frame Vision 34 as the future for Arlington:
Green Infrastructure: my proposal includes solar-powered transit stops, permeable pavement to help with Arlington's flooding issues, and significant expansion of the urban tree canopy along the highway.
Fiscal Responsibility: I would argue that the Vision 34 Corridor creates a sustainable tax base. Unlike stadium deals that require constant public subsidies, a transit-oriented corridor creates a permanent increase in property values and local commerce that pays for itself over time.
Jim Ross – Did not respond.
Shaun Mallory – Did not respond.
Steve Cavender – Did not respond.
District 3
Kelly Burke – Housing and Police and fire, sustainable living as an on going issue. We must invest back into the community with the assistance of home ownership and renovations to older existing properties. Police and fire have to be continually supported financially, if we need to spend money this is where we need to spend it.
Nikkie Hunter – Did not respond.
District 4
Tom Ware – Did not respond.
Rojo Meixueiro – Did not respond.
Lisa Ventura - Beyond public safety, the most important issue facing Arlington is jobs. We don't just need a quantity of jobs, we need quality, well-paying jobs that become a career!
Look, we have this amazing Entertainment district, we've built good retail centers, have loads of hospitality, but people are still struggling. The jobs don't have opportunities for advancement, and the inflation costs rise faster than their wages.
If we don't address this issue, Arlington will become a bedroom city.
We have a good start with the Dan Dipert center which gives our students a fantastic education in different trades. We have UTA which turns out many professional students. Finally, we have TCC which provides students with associate degrees, but also certifications in many areas.
I would like to see us expand on all these opportunities for our young adults to find their path right here in Arlington without needing to find work in Dallas, Fort Worth, and elsewhere.
I'd like to see Arlington focus on attracting the small and medium business to Arlington. We do that by streamlining the permit process, providing microgrants and technical support for start-ups, and ensuring our police are equipped to handle the security needs of our city so businesses feel safe in opening here.
A successful city isn’t just a place people visit. It's a place where people can build their career, raise their family, and enjoy their lives. That starts with better jobs right here in Arlington!
District 5
Rebecca Boxall – Road congestion due to regional population growth is probably the most impactful issue Arlington and DFW as a whole are facing. Like it or not, the projected regional increase in population will affect Arlington.
The biggest areas this will affect are housing and transportation. The two are entwined.
We cannot road-build ourselves out of the current and projected congestion due to physical limitations (not to mention the cost). This is where regional transit comes into play. Transportation should be considered first in a regional context. People driving long distances across the metroplex to get to jobs and back home is ultimately unsustainable.
We need to develop/redevelop in ways that encourage and facilitate people working closer to where we live. This will reduce the amount of time and resources people must expend to simply make a living. To do this we need a wider variety of job choices and housing choices. We need goods and services close to where people live.
Read my further thoughts on this and other topics at www.rebeccaboxall.com
Brittney Garcia-Dumas – Did not respond.
District 8
Jason Shelton – Did not respond.
Melody Fowler – Did not respond.
Corey Harris – Did not respond.
Also, as part of the city election will be the vote for whether or not to continue with the 1/4-cent sales tax for road repairs.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Let me ask you a quick question. If a politician does not answer your questions while asking for your vote, what do you think the odds will be of getting answers after they are in office?
MAYOR
I was greatly disappointed in our choices for mayor. I cannot understand Hunter Crow when he speaks. I cannot make that selection. We know what we have in Jim Ross (Arlington Spectator grade of a very low F) and it is very bad. I strongly considered business owner Shaun Mallory and thought about delaying my selection [of the top two favorites] until the runoff, if needed, but then circled back to making a decision now. The stuff you read on social media (Charlie Parker, Joe Bruner) is in my opinion very accurate. Steve Cavender/Jeff Williams is actually worse than Ross. Taxpayers Funds at Risk (http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html), is in my opinion far more likely “stuff” during a Jeff Williams/puppet era.
As painful as it is for me to write, the least awful choice for Mayor is JIM ROSS.
DISTRICT 3
I actually liked both of the choices here, Kelly Burke and Nikkie Hunter. Hunter is the incumbent and has an Arlington Spectator grade of a high D, the highest on the city council. Then she stopped answering the questions [these are softballs].
The recommendation for District 3 is KELLY BURKE.
DISTRICT 4
The incumbent, Andrew Piel, has termed out, YEAH. We get to replace his Arlington Spectator grade of F with someone new. The apartment-loving, wasteful establishment wants Tom Ware. The far left wants Rojo Meixueiro. Easily the best choice for the people is Lisa Ventura.
My STRONG RECOMMENDATION for District 4 is LISA VENTURA.
DISTRICT 5
The incumbent is Rebecca Boxall. She has an Arlington Spectator grade of a low D. The challenger, Brittney Garcia-Dumas is the far left's choice.
The recommendation for District 5 is REBECCA BOXALL.
DISTRICT 8
The incumbent, Barbara Odom-Wesley, has termed out, YEAH. We get to replace her Arlington Spectator grade of F with someone new. Much like the mayoral race, there is not anything here to like. The far left likes Shelton. Fowler, the wasteful establishment choice, has always wanted to raise taxes.
My District 8 least awful choice is COREY HARRIS.
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The City of Arlington proposes a total project investment of an estimated $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources for the acquisition and demolition of an existing two-story, 81,205-square-foot dilapidated motel structure at 1220 W. Division Street built in 1965 and comprised of 72 rooms. So far, they have determined they will use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds. Part of the city/local funds included is $2.85 million of Arlington Housing Finance Corporation funds. Anyone's guess on the specifics of the rest of the funding?
Following demolition, the city intends to construct a new permanent supportive housing community consisting of a minimum of 70 units. The new development will provide safe, service-enriched housing for chronically homeless individuals, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. The primary objective is to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing and promote long-term housing stability for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
So has anyone divided that out? $24,000,000 / 70 units = $342,857/unit [cost of a house???].
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know the date of the next EDC meeting.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing to update the Unified Development Code (UDC) for form-based zoning.
On Tuesday, April 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SN-FBZD26-01, on 681.63 acres of 1162 tracts for form-based zoning. Boundaries west: Davis Street; south: UTA Boulevard; east: Willis Avenue; and north: Stanford Street.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA25-6, at the northwest corner of I-20 Highway and Kelly-Elliott Road (3 lots). They wish to change the straight zoning from residential to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 2.727 acres.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-1, at 109 W. Rogers Street. They wish to revise the current development plan to allow for short-term rentals.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA26-2, at 2401 W Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the current development plan for a veterinary office to a “straight” neighborhood commercial (NC) zoning.
On Tuesday, April 7, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP08-2R1, at 8380 Glenn Day Drive. They wish to amend the current specific use permit for gas drilling.
On Wednesday, April 15, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-17, at 2002 Wynn Terrace. They wish for a planned development for RM-12 zoning for a cottage community on 2.035 acres. If this is approved, it would go to the city council on May 5.
On Wednesday, April 15, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-21, at 1013 N. Mesquite Street. They wish to change from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) on 0.924 acres. If this is approved, it would go to the city council on May 5.
On Wednesday, April 15, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-22, at 1120 Debbie Lane. They wish to change community commercial (CC) to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) zoning on 29.850 acres. If this is approved, it would go to the city council on May 5.
On Tuesday, May 5, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD21-28R1, at 800 Debbie Lane. They wish to revise the development plan.
On Wednesday, May 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-8, at 2100 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the CC (community commercial) to a planned development plus a car wash.
On ???, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD20-22R1, at 109 W. Rogers Street. They wish to modify the development plan.
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P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet again on Wednesday, April 15. There appear to be three zoning cases.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board will meet this coming Thursday, April 9. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
Question 6: What is the most important issue the board is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?
AISD Ballot Order:
Place 6
Jan Tyler - The most important issue that faces the Board today is providing a classroom where teachers can teach and students can learn. I believe that one reason our state ratings are low is that teachers have behavior issues to deal with which interfere with instruction and reteaching time. Time and research need to be committed to finding a way to have consequences for students that disrespect the teacher, disrespect another student, or cause educational instruction time to be interrupted. All three of these behaviors need to be dealt with in real time and not tolerated. The student with inappropriate classroom behavior needs attention immediately by administration, so that the teacher can proceed with her classroom instruction. The student removed from the class needs to be removed with consequences for their behavior. I personally would not let them return to the class that day, nor send them home. They need an alternative placement in the building that day and continue to receive some social skill instruction or continue an academic assignment, so that when they return the next day or when deemed appropriate, they don’t repeat that behavior. Removed students must be made to stay on an educational task, not take the day off. Teachers need to be empowered with some process, that allows them to deescalate any bad behavior by removing the offender. Teachers can then take back the control over their classrooms. Many struggle with classroom management and need the support of their administrators to remove the student, but still keep students educationally engaged. There are no easy solutions to this problem, but it needs to be addressed. The current discipline process has been around for years with no educational benefit to the students, and has had a negative affect on teacher morale. Our teachers need support and our unruly students need to learn appropriate social behaviors. The highly rated AISD schools, probably have successful discipline processes in place. I believe there is a high correlation between academic achievement and a school dedicated to high expectations for student behaviors.
Brooklyn Richardson – Did not respond.
Place 7
LeAnne Haynes – Did not respond.
Linton Davis - The most critical issue that this Board is facing is our declining student enrollment. We need to engage in a root cause analysis project utilizing cause mapping to identify the key issues resulting in this decline and then make them public. We need to identify the significant issues and then segregate between the issues that the AISD can control and correct vis-à-vis issues that will require outside resolution from the city and county governments. The AISD should be a partner with the Arlington City Council and Tarrant County Government to make Arlington the best choice for people to come and raise their families.
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AISD – PLACE 6
This race is between challenger Jan Tyler and incumbent Brooklyn Richardson. Tyler is a former Arlington teacher. Richardson still fails to accept that the AISD has the highest ISD M&O for Tarrant County, no matter what TAD says.
My STRONG RECOMMENDATION for AISD-Place 6 is JAN TYLER.
AISD – PLACE 7
This race is between incumbent Leanne Haynes and challenger Linton Davis. Three years ago, Davis supported Haynes.
The recommendation for AISD – Place 7 is LINTON DAVIS.
AISD Bond Election
https://www.aisd.net/bond-2026/
[Commentary: I have a great deal of difficulty accepting this bond. AISD has a decreasing student population from 63,000+ to maybe under 50,000 this coming school year. Other districts, in an effort to save money, have closed schools, which makes very logical sense. AISD will be closing its first school (Blanton Elementary) at the end of this school year.
The board went out of its way to add a second (unnamed/unplanned?) elementary school replacement [South Davis Elementary was the first and named school replacement], basically saying, here, raise the tax rate, give us the money and we will decide.
The board claims to make fact-based decisions; however, they seem to be failing. Where are the fact-based decisions on saving the taxpayers’ dollars and being efficient with taxpayers’ funds? Why have they not come up with plans to being more efficient with taxpayers’ funds rather than just raising the tax rate, giving them money, and having no specific plans on a second school replacement.
I say vote NO at least to Proposition A of the AISD Bond package.]
A Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report explores the possibility of the AISD joining the pay-for-performance teacher program offered by the state. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/07/arlington-isd-considers-texas-pay-for-performance-teacher-program/ .
AISD saw a jump in their accountability scores because of their challenge of some of the STAAR testing results. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/09/arlington-isd-sees-2025-academic-accountability-bump-after-staar-appeal/ . Also an AISD article may be found at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/updated-district-and-campus-accountability-ratings/ .
The AISD enrollment is expected to fall below 50,000 students at some point, maybe as early as the 2026-2027 school year. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has a story at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/arlington-isds-enrollment-projected-to-drop-below-50000-next-year/ .
The AISD will NOT be posting the Ten Commandments for now. An article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/05/arlington-isd-agrees-not-to-post-ten-commandments-amid-lawsuit/ .
The AISD Board and Superintendent have established written goals, including student improvement on the STAAR testing. The Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/01/arlington-isd-school-board-sets-goals-and-expectations-for-new-school-year/ .
TEA Accountability Data:
In 2020, the AISD was tied for the highest M&O rate of all the school districts in Tarrant County. Since then, there has been NO tie. The AISD HAS the highest M&O rate in Tarrant County. [school district tax rates]
Top 5 of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs M&O Rates
1. Arlington ISD $0.802200
2. Birdville ISD $0.786900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
2. Lewisville ISD $0.786900
2. Mansfield ISD $0.786900
Teacher Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, thus creating ISD inflation.] An article by Jacob Sanchez in the Fort Worth Report confirms that the Arlington ISD pays the highest salaries in Tarrant County [ https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/17/teachers-in-this-tarrant-county-school-district-earn-the-highest-salaries/ ].
HELPFUL CONTACTS
The Spectator: www.ArlSpectator.mysite.com
to be added/deleted to/from the mailing list e-mail: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com
We can be found on Facebook at ArlSpectator.
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
City of Arlington website: www.arlingtontx.gov
e-mails of mayor and council:
.................... first.last@arlingtontx.gov
mayor = jim.ross
district 1 (north) = mauricio.galante
district 2 (sw) = raul.gonzalez
district 3 (se) = nikkie.hunter
district 4 (west) = andrew.piel
district 5 (central/east) = rebecca.boxall
district 6 (all) = long.pham
district 7 (all) = bowie.hogg
district 8 (all) = barbara.odom-wesley
AISD website ....................... www.aisd.net
McMurrough............ - sarahforaisd@gmail.com
Fowler ................... - fowler.aisd@gmail.com
Mike .................. - larrymike.aisd@gmail.com
Wilbanks .......... - dwilban.aisd@gmail.com
Chapa ...................... - chapa.aisd@gmail.com
Richardson ... - brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com
Haynes ................... - haynes.aisd@gmail.com
TEA Accountability Data:
ARC Political Watch Committee Reports
includes coverage of Mansfield ISD and national, state, county, & city
Texas Legislative Online:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
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