Texas oil country sees the downturn coming

MIDLAND, Texas (AP)

The boom may not necessarily give way to a bust. But the days of plentiful jobs, big paychecks and shiny new pickups and SUVs seem to be numbered.

“It’s been a good ride up, but we’re bracing ourselves for the ride down,” said Midland City Manager Courtney Sharp, who expects a drop in tax revenue next month because of slumping sales in the city of about 98,000.