The Laughlin Task Force plans to push the Texas state legislature to create an encroachment-proof zone around Laughlin Air Force Base, near Del Rio, reports Southwest Texas Live.com. The task force, comprising elected officials, civic and business leaders, and citizens, met Dec. 3 to draft language for a bill to grant zoning authority to certain local governments. Attending the meeting was US Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D), but according to the news report, he did not comment directly on the proposed legislation but acknowledged his continued support for infrastructure and other improvements to Laughlin, one of the Air Force’s primary pilot training bases.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.