Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to give all Texas patrol officers ballistic vests that can withstand rifle rounds — and to exempt the spouses of fallen first responders from paying property taxes until they remarry. He laid out both initiatives during a Wednesday press conference, saying he'll prioritize them during next year's legislative session, reports the Texas Tribune .
So far this year, 17 law enforcement officers have died on the job in Texas, more than in any other state, Patrick said. Outfitting the 59,000 officers who are regularly on patrol in Texas with rifle-resistant vests could cost the state up to $20 million, Patrick said — though he didn't specify where lawmakers would find that cash in what's expected to be a tight budget year.