Texas Response To Protest Violence
Press Release
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference in Dallas where he provided an update on Texas' response to protest violence across the state. In his remarks, the Governor called for swift justice in the case of George Floyd’s death, and discussed the ways Texas is working with local law enforcement to maintain order and uphold public safety so that peaceful protesters can continue to make their voices heard.
"What happened to George Floyd was a horrific act of police brutality, and I join the millions of American who seek swift justice," said Governor Abbott. "George Floyd's death has touched every corner of our country, and people are rightfully angry. The beautiful thing about America is that every person has the right to make their voices heard and protest against injustice. However, violence and vandalism are never the answer, and they have no place in the Lone Star State. It is essential that we end the violence, vandalism, and looting that we have have seen. But restoring calm in our communities does not end with this task—our work will not end until justice, fairness, and equality become reality in every part of our state. Texas is up to this task, because Texans can overcome any challenge. We will seize this moment to bridge the divides that exist in our state so that we can keep Texas the greatest state in America."
(PHOTO: Office Of The Governor, 6/2/20)
To end the violence, vandalism, and looting experienced across the state, the Governor has deployed DPS officers and Texas National Guardsmen to several cities in Texas—including 1,000 DPS officers and hundreds of Guardsmen to the Dallas-Fort Worth region. They are working alongside federal partners from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to stop the violence and protect those protesting peacefully. The Governor also noted that the state is working with four United States
Attorneys in Texas to ensure that individuals coming from across state lines to hijack peaceful protests with violence will be subject to federal prosecution.
The Governor was joined by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall, Fort Worth Police Chief Ed Kraus, Major General Tracy Norris of the Texas National Guard, and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Colonel Steve McCraw. Prior to the press conference, the Governor participated in a briefing with these leaders.
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DPS Announce Limited Reopening Of Driver License Offices
Press Release
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will begin a phased opening of driver license offices starting May 26th with limited service offerings. As part of this opening plan, DPS will launch a statewide driver license (DL) appointment system that allows customers to book appointments up to six months in advance. The limited services being offered will be by appointment only.
"This phased opening of our driver license offices and the launch of DPS' online appointment system prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and ensures Texans have access to the services they need at their local driver license offices," said Governor Abbott. "I thank DPS for developing this safe and strategic plan to open their offices and for launching a new appointment system to streamline our driver license services."
The four-phase plan for the opening of driver license offices is as follows:
Phase 1: Offices in DPS’ Northwest and West Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning May 26, 2020. Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit or ID card, as well those who are in need of a drive test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions on May 22 at 1 p.m.
Phase 2: Offices in DPS’ South and Central Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning May 29, 2020. Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit or ID card, as well those who are in need of a drive test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions on May 26 at 1 p.m.
Phase 3: Offices in DPS’ North and Southeast Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning June 3, 2020. Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit or ID card, as well those who are in need of a drive test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions on May 29 at 1 p.m.
Phase 4 will allow customers to schedule an appointment for all DL office transactions anywhere in the state and is expected to begin midsummer. DPS will announce details on this phase at a later date. Extension for expiration dates will remain in effect until phase 4 is implemented.
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Phase Two To Open Texas
Press Release
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced the second phase of the State of Texas' ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase II, restaurants may increase their occupancy to 50% and additional services and activities that
may open with restricted occupancy levels and minimum standard health protocols laid out by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Additionally, the Governor announced that public schools in Texas have the option to provide in-person summer school so long as they follow social distancing practices and health protocols laid out by DSHS. These classes may begin as soon as June 1st."Today, tomorrow, and every day going forward is one step closer to medical discoveries that can treat and protect people from COVID-19—but until that day comes, our focus is keeping Texans safe while restoring their ability to get back to work, open their businesses, pay their bills, and put food on their tables," said Governor Abbott. "By continuing to use safe practices, we are slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting our most vulnerable. Now more than ever, we need to work together as one Texas. I ask all Texans to continue heeding the guidance of our state and federal medical experts and do their part to protect public health. If we all unite in our resolve, we will overcome this challenge."Via Executive Order, the following services and activities may open under Phase II.Child Care Centers (May 18)Massage and Personal-Care Centers (May 18)Youth Clubs (May 18)Rodeo and Equestrian Events (May 22)Bowling Alleys, Bingo Halls, Simulcast Racing, and Skating Rinks (May 22)Bars (May 22)Aquariums and Natural Caverns (May 22)Zoos (May 29)Day Youth Camps (May 31)Overnight Youth Camps (May 31)Youth Sports (May 31)Certain professional sports without in-person spectators (May 31)All sporting and camp activities are required to adhere by special safety standards, and minimum standard health protocols have been established for all newly-announced opened services and activities. Businesses located in office buildings may also open but must limit their occupancy to the greater of 10 employees or 25% of their workforce.Additionally, restaurants may expand their occupancy to 50% beginning May 22. Bars—including wine tasting rooms, craft breweries, and similar businesses—may open at 25% occupancy but like restaurants, these occupancy limits do not apply to outdoor areas that maintain safe distancing among parties.Opened services and activities under Phase II are subject to certain occupancy limits and health and safety protocols. For details and a full list of guidelines, openings, and relevant dates, visit www.gov.texas.gov/opentexas.Certain counties experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases will have their beginning date of Phase II delayed until May 29. These counties include El Paso, Randall, Potter, Moore, and Deaf Smith. Surge Response Teams are actively working in these areas to increase testing, maintain hospital capacity, and ensure that COVID-19 is contained and mitigated.
During his remarks, the Governor also presented information on the state's hospitalization and positivity rates—two metrics the Governor and his team of medical experts have used to inform the state's ongoing plan to safely and strategically open. Details on these metrics can be found in presentation slides here and here.
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Dallas Adviser Lorintine Fined $10,000 for Charging Performance Fees
Press Release
Lorintine Capital LP, a Dallas investment adviser, was fined $10,000 for charging performance-based fees to clients whose net worth wasn’t high enough for them to be charged the fees.
Lorintine Capital was also reprimanded as part of a Disciplinary Order entered by Texas Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles on May 14. The fine will be paid to the General Fund of the State of Texas.
Lorintine Capital charged a performance-based fee to five clients who invested in LC Diversified Fund I LLC, a private fund. The fee was 1% of the value of a client’s holdings in the fund and 10% on capital gains generated by the fund’s returns.
State and federal securities laws generally allow investment advisers to charge fees based on performance only to “qualified clients.” Federal law mandates that a qualified client must meet at least one of several requirements, such as a net worth of $2.1 million or $1 million invested with the adviser after making the private fund investment.
In contrast, to qualify as an “accredited investor” a person must have a $1 million net worth or an annual income of at least $200,000.
The investment agreement for the LC Diversified Fund did not contain any way for clients to represent that they were qualified investors – only that they were accredited.
Lorintine Capital received $2,845 in performance fees from five non-qualified clients from November 2015 through December 2017.
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Promoting False Cures for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Press Release
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today partnered with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to warn Resurgence Medical Spa LLC that baselessly claiming that their vitamin C intravenous infusions can prevent and cure Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a direct violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and federal consumer protection law.
“As communities work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that those suffering receive the potentially life-saving treatment they need, my office is working diligently to stop deceptive claims and false cures,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I will not allow anyone or any business to take advantage of Texans during this national health crisis.”
The current disaster declaration is effective across the entire state, and under Texas consumer protection statutes, it is illegal for a person to take advantage of a disaster declaration by engaging in deceptive trade practices.
Texans who believe they have encountered deceptive trade practices should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or
. For additional information on disaster scams, please visit our
.
Read a
copy of the warning letter here
.
For information on the spread or treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the
Texas Department of State Health Services
.
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Postponement Of Local Elections Set For May 2nd
Under Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, the Governor suspended Sections 41.0052(a) and (b) of the Texas Election Code and Section 49.103 of the Texas Water Code to the extent necessary to allow political subdivisions to move their elections for 2020 only to the next uniform date, occurring on November 3, 2020. The Governor also suspended Sections 31.093 and 42.0621(c) of the Texas Election Code to the extent necessary to require all county election officers to contract to furnish election services with political subdivisions if requested by these subdivisions. Only political subdivisions have authority to postpone these elections, but the Governor’s suspensions allow political subdivisions to postpone the elections and strongly encourages them to do so.