Friday, January 26, 2018

E-Newsletter from State Representative Dennis Paul

Rebuild Texas Update - PREPS Program and Housing

Partial Repair and Essential Power for Sheltering (PREPS) supplements emergency sheltering when communities are faced with needs that significantly exceed existing capacity. Provides temporary repairs, such as water and power restoration, and allows homeowners to remain in their homes and their communities as they complete permanent repairs to their homes. Eligibility will be determined after individuals and households register.
  
-The GLO has initiated a push to get the PREPS program out to survivors.  Information on this program may be found at the GLO's Texas Rebuilds website (texasrebuilds.com).
  
-Persons with questions about PREPS should call the GLO PREPS hotline: 1-888-610-1622
  
-GLO has been and continues to make calls, send emails, and send text messages to households eligible for the PREPS program.  They will soon be sending out postcards to households they have not been able to reach by phone, email or text messaging.  So survivors may expect to get calls, text messages, email and postcards from the GLO about participating in the PREPS program.
  
-Also, PREPS program staff and contractors will all be wearing bright yellow shirts and will have "Rebuild Texas" badges to verify they are part of this program.

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Governor Abbott, House And Senate Leadership, Grant Texas General Land Office Funding Request To Continue Housing Programs For Harvey Victims
  
  
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott, in partnership with Texas House and Senate leadership, today approved a request by the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for $38.6 million in disaster-related aid to fund critical direct housing programs across the Gulf region in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The funds will be transferred from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to the General Land Office.
   
Today's action was taken under Section 14.04 of Article IX of the General Appropriations Act, which anticipates the need to make certain transfers of appropriated dollars when disaster strikes and the Legislature is not in session.
    
The transfer will have no effect on the daily operations of TDCJ as the Governor, House and Senate leadership made clear their intention to ensure the funding is restored before it is needed for the agency to complete Fiscal Year 2019.
       
"A top priority as we continue to rebuild is ensuring that families affected by Harvey can return to permanent housing," said Governor Abbott. "This funding gives the General Land Office the necessary resources to continue that important work. I thank the Senate and House leadership for their quick action, and commend our state agencies for demonstrating the same level of commitment to helping Texans in their time of need."
   
"Harvey was a Texas-sized storm that continues to require a massive rebuilding effort," said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. "This will be one of our top priorities in the 2019 legislative session, but in the interim, we must move forward on the work to house the thousands of Texans who lost their homes. This transfer will allow us to do that."
  
"Until the Legislature acts next session to fully address the impact of Hurricane Harvey, this will ensure that families impacted along the Gulf Coast can begin the long process of rebuilding," said Speaker Joe Straus. "It also demonstrates our commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of state money for hurricane relief."
    
"The Legislature must remain committed to providing agencies with the appropriate resources needed for the continued recovery from Hurricane Harvey," said Representative John Zerwas. "Our agencies are working together in order to maximize flexibility prior to the 2019 legislative session."
    
"These funds will make it possible for many Texans to get back in their homes -- which is so important as we work to rebuild communities and local economies in the wake of Hurricane Harvey," said Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound.

District News
 
La Porte firefighters are offering free smoke detectors to residents in La Porte, Shoreacres and Morgan's Point.  After responding to two fires in 2015 that claimed the lives of three children and one adult La Porte fire department has been trying to increase preventative measures to avoid tragic outcomes as the ones that occurred in 2015.
  
The program includes a free fire inspection and installation of smoke detectors. Since it began, La Porte FD has installed 216 smoke detectors, 72 batteries in working alarms and visited 153 residences for fire safety inspections.  Fire Chief Ladd states, " there is no enforcement of code or fines and no information about who lives in the home is recorded".  There is no requirement to receive the smoke detectors.  To take part of this program call the La Porte Fire Department at 281-471-3607 and request to be a fire inspection and smoke detector.

 

 


District Events
Representative Paul has the great pleasure of attending events throughout the district where he continues to meet new people and learn about what makes House District 129 so special to Texas.



Rep. Paul attended the BayTran January Luncheon on Thursday.  The Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership serves as the transportation management organization facilitating Regional Mobility Management for employers, government agencies and residents in the Bay Area Transportation Partnership regional service area.





Rachel Epperson a junior at Friendswood HS interned at our district office over the Christmas break. Rachel had the opportunity to attend the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce Christmas Social and meet local community and business leaders. Rachel also assisted in the district office with daily office duties. Rachel was Miss Teen United America for 2017 and participates in numerous extra-curricular activities including cheer, NHS, church activities, and volunteers at Moody Gardens.








During the holidays, Commissioner Morman hosted a gathering for constituents in precinct 2.  It was a well-attended event where Representative Paul had the opportunity to visit with people from around the district. Pictured with Representative Paul are El Lago Mayor Briggs, several council members, and Mike Cade from Commissioner Morman's office.







Capitol Visitor Information

My staff and I welcome everyone to visit our office as well as the historic Capitol building.  If you are planning a trip to the Capitol be sure to stop by our office, Room E2.814.  Here are some helpful tips for your visit:



Office of State Representative Dennis Paul, 1400 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Sent by dennis.paul@house.texas.gov in collaboration with
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