In these difficult times I would like to encourage all of my constituents to listen to the advice of the Centers for Diseases Control and our local, state and national officials.
This newsletter will be a compilation of state and local news item that I believe will be helpful. If you have any questions or need more information on a specific item, please do not hesitate to reach out. My staff, both in the district and Austin, will remain available to help with constituent services. Their contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Eliza and I will be praying for the safety of each and every one of you.
God Bless,
Dennis Paul | | Governor Abbott To Participate In Statewide Television Town Hall With Nexstar Broadcasting To Provide Update On Coronavirus Response
March 17, 2020 | Austin, Texas e Governor and Top State Officials to Address Statewide Response to Coronavirus Outbreak
Governor Greg Abbott and Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. today announced a live virtual Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. CT. The Governor will discuss the statewide response to the current coronavirus outbreak and will be joined by top officials from the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Education Agency. Due to restrictions on large gatherings, the one-hour virtual Town Hall will take place at the studios of KXAN-TV in Austin, Texas, and bring viewers in communities across the state together via live television broadcast and streaming video. Viewers will be invited to submit questions to the Governor and the other state officials via the internet using the hashtag #AskAbbott.
“As Texas continues to respond to the threat of COVID-19, it is vital that all Texans understand the size and scope of this challenge as well as what the State of Texas is doing to mitigate the spread of this virus and keep Texans safe,” said Governor Abbott. “From Day One, the state has implemented preventative strategies and built on our public health capabilities, and we continue to add to these capabilities every single day. Along with our local and federal partners, we are aggressively working to expand our COVID-19 testing capabilities, protect the most vulnerable populations, and ensure that health care professionals and all Texans have access to the supplies and resources they need. We are all in this together and this Televised Town Hall is an opportunity to provide an update on the status of Texas’ response.
The television broadcast will be hosted by KXAN-TV anchor Robert Hadlock and will air exclusively on 14 Nexstar stations across the state, including KIAH-TV (CW), KDAF-TV (CW), KXAN-TV (NBC), KRBC-TV (NBC), KAMR-TV (NBC), KVEO-TV (NBC), KTSM-TV (NBC), KLBK-TV (CBS), KMID-TV (ABC), KSAN-TV (NBC), KTAL-TV (NBC), KETK-TV (NBC), KWKT-TV (FOX) and KFDX-TV (NBC). Local viewers may also access a live-stream of the Town Hall online by visiting their local Nexstar station’s website (see table below for list of participating stations and station website links).
Joining the Governor for the virtual Town Hall will be: Dr. John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner; Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Imelda Garcia, Associate Commissioner of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Services at the Texas Department of State Health Services; and Mike Morath, Texas Education Agency Commissioner. The Town Hall will open with Governor Abbott providing the latest information the state’s response to the coronavirus crisis followed by a fifteen-minute question and answer session between Governor Abbott, the other state officials, and Mr. Hadlock. The broadcast will then allow approximately forty-five minutes of questions submitted by viewers around the state. Viewers can pose a question to the Governor or any of the show’s guests via a variety of social media platforms using the hashtag #AskAbbott. Preference will be given to those questions submitted as videos rather than texts.
Governor Greg Abbott Virtual Town Hall Television Broadcast and Live-Stream: Thursday, March 19, 2020 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT KXAN-TV studios
Host: Robert Hadlock, KXAN-TV
Guests: - Governor Greg Abbott
- John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner
- Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Imelda Garcia, Associate Commissioner of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Services at the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Mike Morath, Texas Education Agency Commissioner
Town Hall will be carried on the following stations and websites:
KRBC-TV NBC Abilene
KAMR-TV NBC Amarillo
KXAN-TV NBC Austin
KVEO-TV NBC Brownsville
KTSM-TV NBC El Paso
KLBK-TV CBS Lubbock
KMID-TV ABC Midland/Odessa
KSAN-TV NBC San Angelo
KTAL-TV NBC Shreveport
KETK-TV NBC Tyler
KWKT-TV Fox Waco
KFDX-TV NBC Wichita Falls
KIAH-TV CW Houston
KDAF-TV CW Dallas
Note: In addition to the live television broadcast, viewers may also access a live-stream of the Town Hall online by visiting their local participating Nexstar station’s website. | |
March 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. As a measure to prevent the wider spread of the Coronavirus, the Clear Creek Independent School District will close all CCISD facilities through Friday, April 10, 2020. This decision was made collaboratively with area school districts. In a message to the community today, Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of Schools reassured families that learning will continue for children. “While our schools are physically closed, our spirit of innovation will continue through distance learning. Our community has invested in the necessary resources to support this endeavor. I know there will be challenges along the way, but we will work through them, together.” District leaders are working around the clock to support distance learning for teachers and students. The school district will announce more substantive learning plans later this week and will reach out to families to see what technical support is required at home to allow for distance learning. All CCISD activities will cease through Friday, April 10, 2020 with a plan to reevaluate the situation on April 4, 2020. | | PASADENA ISD CLOSED THROUGH APRIL 10 All Pasadena ISD facilities will remain closed for normal operations through Friday, April 10, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Houston area continues to see an increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and health officials report this number is expected to increase as more testing is made available. The Centers for Disease Control has outlined the need for all communities to implement a social distancing protocol. The district anticipates beginning instructional support outside of school through the use of electronic and non-electronic materials on Monday, March 23, 2020. Right now we are working diligently to prepare our staff to be able to provide support and feedback to your students. Parents will receive further information regarding instruction from their child’s campus.Our website has optional extended learning opportunities and activities for students. We encourage parents and students to visit the district’s website and social media often for the most recent updates as we navigate this unprecedented situation together. The health of Pasadena ISD students, staff and community continues to be the District’s top priority. Pasadena Independent School District will offer curbside grab-and-go free breakfast and lunch to all Pasadena ISD students beginning tomorrow. Parents may drive by any of our traditional High School campuses to pick up a meal for each child present in the vehicle. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | | Harris County Judge Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner Announce Restaurant and Bar Closures to Help Slow Spread of COVID-19 See order below: | | Governor Abbott Waives STAAR Testing Requirements for 2019-2020 school year
Is Requesting Suspension Of Federal Testing Requirements For 2019-2020 School Year
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that he has waived the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, Governor Abbott is requesting that the Department of Education (DOE) waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.
Governor Abbott is working closely with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to ensure that schools continue to deliver instruction to students while students are absent or while schools are closed due to COVID-19. This includes tailoring instruction for students with special needs so that they have access to the same education as other students in the district. Governor Abbott will continue to work with the TEA on developing additional methods to ensure that students are learning and ready to succeed at the next grade-level. These discussions are ongoing and more information will be provided as it develops.
"Your health and safety are top priorities, and the state of Texas will give school districts flexibility to protect and ensure the health of students, faculty, and their families," said Governor Abbott. "We will empower schools to make the best decisions to protect their communities from COVID-19."
The move to waive testing requirements reflects the Governor’s emphasis on public health over all other priorities at this time. In normal times, Texas’ assessment system provides educators and parents with reliable information on whether or not their students have mastered grade-level content. The Governor remains committed to ensuring parents, students, and school districts have access to this information in future years.
Superintendents should continue to prioritize the health and safety of students, faculty, and their families. Their leadership is an important part of our statewide efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect public health.
| | Governor Abbott Waives Certain Vehicle Registration, Titling, And Parking Placard Regulations In Texas
March 16, 2020 | Austin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Texas is waiving certain rules relating to vehicle registration, parking placards for persons with disabilities, and titling to aid the state's efforts to combat COVID-19. These suspensions will allow Texans to avoid penalties for failure to timely title or register a vehicle, or renew a parking placard. The waivers fall within the actions the Governor is taking under the State of Disaster he declared last week, and are part of Texas’ efforts to reduce in-person contact among Texans and slow the spread of COVID-19.
"The State of Texas continues to implement a comprehensive plan to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and that includes strategies to reduce preventable in-person contact," said Governor Abbott. "By suspending these rules, Texans can avoid unnecessary crowds and in-person contact without fear of being penalized. We encourage all Texans to continue practicing social distancing and to take preventative actions to protect their health and the health of those around them."
The Governor will work with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure law enforcement officers throughout the state are aware of these waivers. The Department of Motor Vehicles will also continue to provide registration renewal services online at renew.txdmv.gov. For additional information, Texans should contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at (888) 368-4689. | | Governor Abbott Allows Virtual And Telephonic Open Meetings To Maintain Government Transparency
March 16, 2020 | Austin, Texas Ensures continued government operation while preserving transparency Governor Greg Abbott today acted to maintain government transparency and continued government operations while reducing face-to-face contact for government open meetings. As Texas works to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Governor granted the Office of the Attorney General’s request for suspension of certain open-meeting statutes. This temporary suspension will allow for telephonic or videoconference meetings of governmental bodies that are accessible to the public in an effort to reduce in-person meetings that assemble large groups of people.
"Even as the State of Texas takes precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, we also have a responsibility to maintain government transparency," said Governor Abbott. "With today’s action, Texas is reducing non-essential in-person contact for a limited period, while ensuring that state and local government entities continue to work to fulfill necessary functions and with full transparency for the people of Texas. I urge state and local officials to do their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding meetings that bring people into large group settings."
In accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has suspended various provisions that require government officials and members of the public to be physically present at a specified meeting location. This temporary suspension will leave important open-meeting protections in place: - Members of the public will be entitled to participate and address the governmental body during any telephonic or videoconference meeting.
- To hold a telephonic or videoconference meeting, a governmental body must post a written notice that gives the public a way to participate remotely, such as a toll-free dial-in number, and that includes an electronic copy of any agenda packet that officials will consider at the meeting.
- A governmental body must provide the public with access to a recording of any telephonic or videoconference meeting.
State and local officials who have questions about open-meeting requirements after this suspension should submit them to the Office of the Attorney General via e-mail at TOMA@oag.texas.gov, or by leaving a message at (888) 672-6787. Officials with questions about teleconference and videoconference capabilities offered by the Texas Department of Information Resources should visit dir.texas.gov or call (512) 475-4700. Officials who hold videoconference meetings are encouraged to provide for participation via telephone for members of the public without videoconferencing capability. If officials are not holding a telephonic or videoconference meeting, all open-meeting requirements apply. | | Keep In Touch It is important for me as your State Representative to hear from you on the issues that matter. I hope you find this contact information useful. | |  | Capitol Office
(512) 463-0734
1100 Congress Avenue Suite GN.10 Austin, TX 78701
Post Office Box 2910 AUstin, TX 78768 | | | | District Office
(281) 488-8900
17225 El Camino Real Suite 415 Houston, TX 77058 | | | | | | | | |
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