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June 26, 2020

Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter. In this edition of our Capitol Newsletter, you can find details on the paused reopening of Texas. Governor Abbott has announced several new measures to help curb the number of new COVID cases which are explained below.

You will also find news and updates from the Department of State Health Services, Texas Military Department and the Texas Secretary of State. We have also included local updates from the City of Houston, Harris County and the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority.

Should you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please utilize email communication with our office during this time, via the email contact information at the bottom of this newsletter.

Sincerely,
District & Capitol Office Closure Notice
Due to the increase in COVID cases in the Houston and Austin areas, our District and Capitol Offices will be closed until further notice and staff will be working from home. Please utilize email as the main form of communication until we can safely return to our workspaces. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Gov. Abbott Limits Certain Businesses and Services with Direct Link to Infections
Governor Greg Abbott today issued an executive order limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. This decision comes as the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of hospitalizations have increased and the positivity rate in Texas increased above 10%, which the Governor previously stated would lead to further preventative action. The targeted, measured directives in the executive order are based on links between certain types of businesses and services and the recent rise in positive cases throughout the state.

The order includes the following:
  • All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12:00 PM today. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. 
  • Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.
  • Rafting and tubing businesses must close.
  • Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.

“As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10%, the State of Texas would take further action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars. The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and enhance public health. We want this to be as limited in duration as possible. However, we can only slow the spread if everyone in Texas does their part. Every Texan has a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to wear a mask, wash their hands, stay six feet apart from others in public, and stay home if they can. I know that our collective action can lead to a reduction in the spread of COVID-19 because we have done it before, and we will do it again.”


Chairman Huberty Statement on TEA 2020-2021 School District Reopening Guidance
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath has announced TEA's guidance for school districts to reopen this fall and Chairman Huberty made the following statement: "I appreciate Governor Abbott and Commissioner Morath’s leadership through these extremely challenging times and for working with the Members of the House Committee on Public Education to find solutions to get our students back to school and back on track.

"TEA has worked tirelessly to ensure that our children are able to return to the classroom in a responsible, safe, and healthy way. Most importantly, this guidance allows each independent school district the freedom and flexibility to operate in the best way for their local communities. While COVID-19 continues to pose new challenges for our state, I am eager to continue working with my colleagues to find solutions that will make Texas stronger than ever." 
Health Resources
DSHS: COVID-19 Case Dashboard
Harris County Public Health Dashboard
Click the image above to be directed to the Harris County Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard
Free COVID Testing Continues in Kingwood
Updates from Austin
Gov. Abbott Pauses Texas Reopening
Governor Abbott Announces Temporary Pause Of Additional...

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the State of Texas will pause any further phases to open Texas as the state responds to the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Businesses that are permitted to open under the ...

Read more
gov.texas.gov
DSHS: Keep Your Distance
Make Preparations To Cast A Ballot
In July 14th Elections
Secretary Hughs Encourages Texans To Vote Early

AUSTIN - Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs today encouraged all eligible Texas voters to take advantage of the extended early voting period ahead of the July 14th elections, which begins on Monday, June 29th and ends on Friday, July 10th. Early ...

Read more
www.sos.state.tx.us
Updates from the District
Judge Hidalgo Upgrades Public Health Threat Level
County Judge Lina Hidalgo upgraded the County’s COVID-19 public threat level from significant (orange, level two) to severe (red, level one). A level one threat lever indicates a “severe and uncontrolled” level of COVID-19, meaning outbreaks are worsening, contact tracing capacity is strained or exceeded, and healthcare surge is likely. To slow this uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, all Harris County residents should adhere to the following guidelines as closely as possible:
 
·     Stay home, except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine.
·     Avoid and cancel all gatherings of any size. 
·     Essential workers practice  special precautions  to prevent spread.
·     All vulnerable individuals (65+ or with pre-existing health conditions) stay home.
·     Self-quarantine for 14 days if in close and prolonged contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19.
·     Wear face coverings to protect others.
·     Avoid non-essential business and personal travel. Avoid public transportation where possible. 
·     Cancel visits to nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.
·     Avoid and cancel all indoor and outdoor gatherings, including concerts, rodeos, large sporting events, etc. Schools and afterschool activities for youth close, as directed by educational authorities.

More information on Harris County's threat level system may be found, here:  https://www.readyharris.org/Stay-Safe .

Northpark Drive Overpass Project
LHRA - Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority

The reconstruction of Northpark Drive into a 6-lane divided roadway, an overpass at the UPRR trail tracks and State Loop 494, between IH-69 and Russell Palmer Road. We are currently in the right-of-way acquisition and preliminary design phase....

Read more
lakehoustonra.com
Contact Information
State Representative
Dan Huberty

Casey Christman
Chief of Staff

Jack Reed
Legislative Director
Capitol Physical Address:
1100 Congress Avenue E2.408 Austin, TX 78701

Capitol Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2910 
Austin, TX 78768 

Capitol Phone:
(512) 463-0520

Capitol Fax:
(512) 463-1606
District Address: 
4501 Magnolia Cove
 Suite 201
Kingwood, TX 77345

District Phone:
(281) 360-9410
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