February 28, 2020

Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter. Below you will find updates from federal, state and local agencies. Should you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact details listed at the end of this newsletter.

Today, Friday, February 28th, is the last day of early voting! If you have not yet voted, the polls stay open until 7:00 pm. If you have voted, encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same! Election Day is March 3rd; more voter information can be found below in the newsletter.

On Monday of next week, March 2, we will be celebrating Texas Independence Day. While our offices will remain open, we will be reflecting on our state's unique history and those heroic Texans who secured freedom for the Republic of Texas. This day reminds us of our storied past and our responsibility to future generations of Texans.

Should you have questions regarding anything in this newsletter, please feel free to contact us directly using the information provided at the bottom of this email.

Sincerely,

March 2020 Calendar

Download my March 2020 calendar by clicking the link below. This month is full of events in and around Texas that could be fun or useful to you and your family! This new format allows you to save the document for printing or sending to your family members.

 

Keep watch for these updated calendars at the beginning of each month. Important local and legislative dates and events will be posted here.

Texas voters who possess one of the seven approved forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID may execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form, available to them at each polling location, and provide a supporting form of identification. In addition, some voters may qualify for an exemption to presenting an acceptable form of photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure.

The seven forms of approved photo ID are:

**License is not required to be REAL ID compliant

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, the approved photo ID must be current or, for voters aged 18-69, have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. A voter 70 years of age or older may use a form of approved photo ID listed above that has expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.

If a voter does not possess one of the forms of approved photo identification listed above, and the voter cannot reasonably obtain such identification, the voter may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration form, which will be available at each polling location, and present a copy or original of one of the following supporting forms of identification:

The address on an approved form of photo identification or a supporting form of identification, if applicable, does not have to match the voter's address on the list of registered voters.

If a voter meets these requirements and is otherwise eligible to vote, the voter will be able to cast a regular ballot in the election.



Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable form of photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the polls. Voters with a religious objection to being photographed or voters who do not present an approved form of photo identification or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure at the polls because of certain natural disasters may apply for a temporary exemption to presenting an acceptable form of photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure. For more details, voters may contact their  county voter registrar.

Voters with questions about how to cast a ballot in the 2020 elections can call 1-800-252-VOTE.

For more information on voting in Texas, visit  www.votetexas.gov

Spring is nearly here, bringing with it Texas Bluebonnets and Daylight Saving Time. As you prepare to spring forward, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is preparing for Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, March 2 – 6. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is encouraging Texans to stay safe on the road with a quick and easy #CheckForRecalls.

Safety-related defects that might trigger a recall could involve air bags, steering systems or brakes. Recalls can also be issued for problems not related to safety, like air conditioners, radios or the quality of factory paint. Even equipment in or on your vehicle like car seats or tires could be under recall.

Checking for recalls is quick and easy by visiting www.nhtsa.gov/recalls . Enter the year, make and model of your vehicle – or Vehicle Identification Number – to find out if it needs to be repaired as part of a recall. You can also check for recalls on car seats, tires and other equipment by searching under the brand name and model of your specific equipment.

Stay safe. #CheckForRecalls.

Planning to submit a historical marker application? Join the Texas Historical Commission (THC) Historical Marker staff for a webinar covering the 2020 Historical Marker application materials. The free webinar will cover how to fill out the application forms, upcoming important dates for applicants and county historical commissions (CHCs) and review the thematic priorities for the 2020 cycle. The webinar is open to the public.

Official Texas Historical Marker Webinar

Thursday, March 26, 2020

10:30 am - 11:30 am

To register, please visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8744883673191744013 .

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 512-463-5853.

San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) Board of Directors last week approved a recommendation to the City of Houston (COH) to continue a temporary flood mitigation program at Lake Conroe. The board’s vote proposed extending the initiative through December 2022 and serves as a recommendation to the City of Houston who owns the majority of the water rights in Lake Conroe.

 

At the special board meeting, over 100 constituents voiced their opinions on the initiative to reduce water level in Lake Conroe on a seasonal basis to create extra capacity to catch rainfall and storm water runoff. During the meeting SJRA Director of Water Resources and Flood Management, Chuck Gilman, gave a presentation to the board that included 20 years of rainfall and lake level data for consideration. 

 

After approximately five hours of presentation, public comment, and board discussion, the SJRA Board of Directors approved the following recommendation to the COH regarding the operation of Lake Conroe:

 

 

 

 

 

The strategy of temporarily creating capacity in Lake Conroe on a seasonal basis began in 2018 to provide flood mitigation benefits for regional downstream constituents in both Montgomery County and Harris County by catching rainfall and runoff in Lake Conroe. 

 

The COH supports the strategy. Mayor Sylvester Turner notified SJRA the day before the special board meeting that the city wished to extend the initiative until the completion of additional dredging and construction of flood gates on the Lake Houston Spillway.

 

Lake Conroe was built in the 1970s as a partnership between COH, SJRA, and the Texas Water Development Board as a water supply reservoir for the region. COH owns 2/3 of the water rights in Lake Conroe; SJRA owns 1/3. The City of Houston may call for the release of water from Lake Conroe for the city’s use at any time. Upon release, the city’s water flows down the west fork of the San Jacinto River eventually ending up in Lake Houston for use by Houston.

Our office is always ready to assist you. Call or email us and we will do our best to help. Many State Agencies also have hotlines or citizen assistance offices to assist you. That contact information is available at this link, in alphabetical order: 

http://www.lrl.texas.gov/genInfo/stateAgencies.cfm

All of the relevant information our office has gathered during the week will be posted to our Facebook page. By "liking" us, you will stay up-to-date about important matters across the state that affect you and your family. Click below to find our page.

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