October 26, 2018
Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter.
Below you will find updates from federal, state and local agencies on events from this week.
Early Voting for the November 6th General Election continues this weekend and through next Friday, November 2, 2018. During this time, registered voters may vote at ANY early voting location in Harris County. Be sure to confirm your polling location before you go. Record numbers of voters have turned out to vote across Texas, and especially in Harris County. Lines have been long, but voting is quick. Take the opportunity to get out and EARLY vote now!
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You can also print and keep a Sample Ballot from the
www.HarrisVotes.com
website. There will be several Harris County locations available in and around House District 127:
- Humble: Octavia Fields Branch Library: 1503 S. Houston Avenue, Humble, TX 77338
- Kingwood: Kingwood Community Center - 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345
- Atascocita: Atascocita Branch Library - 19520 Pinehurst Trail, Humble, TX 77346
- Crosby: Crosby Branch Library - 135 Hare Road, Crosby, TX 77352
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,
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Download my November 2018 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.
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Harris County Receives StormReady® Recertification
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The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management is proud to announce that the National Weather Service (NWS) has recertified Harris County as a StormReady® County. The designation was originally obtained in 2015 and has now been extended for another three years.
“We are extremely proud to again be recognized as a StormReady county,” said Harris County Judge Emmett. “We always strive to be proactive in alerting and protecting our residents during emergencies.”
Less than 20 percent of all Texas counties are designated as StormReady®. To be certified, a NWS advisory board reviews the county’s application and inspects its emergency management operations capabilities. A StormReady® community or county must:
- Have a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center.
- Have multiple ways of receiving severe weather forecasts/warnings to alert the public.
- Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally.
- Promote the importance of public readiness through community outreach/seminars.
- Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
“Harris County has all the necessary assets and works closely with emergency partners to be in a constant state of preparedness,” said NWS Meteorologist in Charge Jeffry Evans. “No community is storm proof, but being StormReady® can help save lives.”
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Lake Houston Temporarily Lowered One Foot
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Council Member Dave Martin would like to make Lake Houston Area residents aware that
Houston Public Works
is lowering the level of Lake Houston by one foot. Since heavy thunderstorms are predicted later this evening Lake Houston is being lowered from 42.5 feet to 41.5 feet. It is predicted that there will be widespread rainfall of 1 to 2 inches with higher possible totals of 3 to 4 inches in some areas.
The lowering of the Lake began this morning. This will be a temporary lowering while we are under this possible severe weather watch. Property owners should make arrangements for boats and other items along the shoreline for a lowering of Lake Houston by one foot.
Please keep in mind that the Lake will only be lowered to 41.5 feet until the threat of today's severe weather passes. Once the threat of severe weather leaves our area the Lake will be allowed to fill back up to the normal pool level of 42.5 feet. The level of Lake Houston can be monitored by visiting the Coastal Water Authority
website
.
For more information please contact the District E office by calling (832) 393-3008 or by emailing
[email protected]
.
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Governor Abbott announced that an additional 36 Texas counties will be added to the State Disaster Declaration.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on October 16, 2018, certifying that the severe weather and prolonged flooding event that began on October 7, 2018, has caused widespread and severe property damage, and threatens loss of life, in Bastrop, Burnet, Colorado, Fayette, Hood, Jim Wells, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Live Oak, Llano, Mason, McMullen, Nueces, Real, San Patricio, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Those same conditions continue to exist in these and other counties in Texas.
THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby amend the aforementioned proclamation and declare a state of disaster in these additional counties: Bandera, Baylor, Blanco, Brown, Callahan, Cameron, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Edwards, Erath, Gillespie, Hamilton, Haskell, Hidalgo, Jones, Kendall, Kinney, Lampasas, Liberty, Madison, Mills, Nolan, Palo Pinto, Parker, San Jacinto, San Saba, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Taylor, Throckmorton, Uvalde, Walker, Willacy, and Zavala Counties.
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 19th day of October, 2018.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
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DPS Bolsters Efforts to Increase School Bus Safety
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In conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 22-26), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging Texans to comply with laws prohibiting drivers from passing stopped school buses. DPS Troopers across the state will be riding and/or following school buses to ensure that drivers are obeying school bus laws.
“DPS urges all motorists to make the safety of our schoolchildren a top priority year round, and to practice safe driving habits when traveling near school buses, in school zones and wherever children are present,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Drivers who disregard the law needlessly put children in danger, and that type of reckless behavior will not be tolerated by law enforcement.” According to the Texas Education Agency, more than 43,000 school buses transport approximately 1.6 million Texas children every school day.
“A strong public education system starts with assuring our students safely travel to and from school,” said Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. “The Texas Education Agency joins with the Texas Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement and staff members at public schools across our state in this shared commitment to keep our students safe during National School Bus Safety Week and throughout the school year.”
The moments when a student is entering or exiting the bus can be one of the most dangerous times of a child’s trip on the school bus. It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped and operating a visual signal — either flashing red lights or a stop sign — and those who violate the law could face fines of up to $1,250. In an effort to increase the safety of student passengers, Troopers will also be patrolling areas where school buses are picking up or dropping off passengers.
In 2017 and year-to-date in 2018, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers have issued 1,394 citations and 685 warnings for passing a stopped school bus. According to Texas statute, a driver — traveling in either direction on a roadway — must stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped
and
operating a visual signal. The driver may not proceed until one of the following occurs: the school bus resumes motion; the operator is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or the visual signal is no longer activated.
If a road is divided only by a left-turning lane, drivers on both sides of the roadway must stop for school buses with alternating red flashing lights activated. However, if the lanes are separated by an intervening space or physical barrier, only motorists traveling in the same direction as the bus are required to stop. (As a reminder, school buses, by law, must stop at all railroad crossings.)
Here are several safety measures drivers can take to help keep children safe:
- Be mindful of posted speed limits when driving in school zones and near buses.
- Slow down and watch for children congregating near bus stops.
- Be aware of student pedestrians and watch for children who may unexpectedly dart into the street without checking for traffic.
- Know and obey the traffic laws regarding school buses in Texas.
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SBOE: Public Comment Period Open on Proposed
Social Studies TEKS Changes
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A formal public comment period is now under way on proposed changes to streamline the social studies standards for kindergarten through high school.
The proposed revision to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, as amended Sept. 14 by the State Board of Education, are available for review at
A comment form is also available on that webpage. The final vote on the standards will occur at the Nov. 13-16 meeting. Over the past year, work groups made up primarily of educators have worked on recommendations to assist the board in finding ways
shorten the standards
.
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Turn King's Harbor Blue
Presented by: Joseph Chris Partners
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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:
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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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State Representative
Dan Huberty
Casey Christman
Chief of Staff
Amy Peterson
House Public Education Committee Director
Abby Caldwell
District Intern
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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
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District Address:
4501 Magnolia Cove
Suite 201
Kingwood, TX 77345
District Phone:
(281) 360-9410
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This newsletter was not sent by State expense.
Paid political advertising by Friends of Dan Huberty.
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