Since George W. Bush defeated Ann Richards (because big money wanted him in the White House, & you have to start somewhere with an inept twit), Texas has been devolving. Authoritarians don't care about public need. They care about attaining absolute power to keep the illicit money spigot in the fully open position. Texans pay taxes; is that so the Republican party can remove rights, restrict voting, & do zip about crises? Guess so, if it's only the little people dying.