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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Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – City Manager Peter Zanoni has created a new health and wellness initiative called “Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront” to increase physical activity and promote a healthier Corpus Christi. Many people enjoy exercising along the shoreline including biking, walking, jogging or running and now they can do so in a safe environment – a designated 1.25-mile fitness lane from Cole Park to Lawrence Street! The public is invited to use the fitness lane every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., starting Saturday, May 23 – August 29, 2020. The fitness lane will help to reduce the overcrowding of the sidewalks and enable social distancing of at least six feet while exercising.
An expanded fitness lane has been created along Ocean Drive to Shoreline Boulevard that will temporarily close northbound traffic from 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. for residents to bike, run, jog and walk along the bayfront from Cole Park to Art Center of Corpus Christi.
In coordination with Victor Betancourt of VFit Productions and the City’s Park and Recreation Department, the City will offer “Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront” exercise and wellness events for adults of all abilities on Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. from June 6 – August 29, 2020 at The Water’s Edge, 602 S. Shoreline Blvd. All the sessions, except Zumba, will be held on The Great Lawn located between the two large parking lots. Zumba will be held at the Islanders Pavilion next to the playground.
The 40-60-minute sessions will include:
Walk to Run (7 a.m.-7:40 a.m.)*: teaching individuals the skills needed to increase their endurance through proper running and walking techniques.
Fitness Moves (8 a.m.- 8:40 a.m.)*: fitness training through a variety of techniques including bodyweight training, conditioning and circuit training.
Walk the Bayfront (9 a.m. – 10 a.m.)*: Instructor-led 2-mile walk along the fitness lane.
Yoga (9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.)*: guiding individuals through a series of poses to improve physical and mental strength.
Zumba(10 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.)*: an aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance.
* Healthy Meals 101 (offered after each class): free weekly recipes and plans for families on healthy eating.
Class sessions are limited to 20 participants per class. The public can register for classes in June through the online registration link www.cctexas.com/safefunfit
Measures will also be taken for appropriate physical distancing for the safety of the participant. In addition, participants are encouraged to bring their own face coverings, yoga mat and water, as appropriate, for their workout.
“Corpus Christi has a naturally beautiful backdrop for outdoor exercising,” said Peter Zanoni, City Manager. “This program will provide a safe opportunity for families to run, walk, bike, and take select classes to improve their health and wellness,” added Zanoni.
Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For assistance or to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 361-826-3460, in advance.
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Federal Agents To Act As Texas Peace Officers
Press Release
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today declared a State of Disaster for all Texas counties in the midst of violent protests that endanger public safety and threaten property loss and damage. Under this declaration, the Governor has the ability to designate federal agents to serve as Texas Peace Officers.
"Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights," said Governor Abbott. "However, violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive. As protests have turned violent in various areas across the state, it is crucial that we maintain order, uphold public safety, and protect against property damage or loss. By authorizing additional federal agents to serve as Texas Peace Officers we will help protect people’s safety while ensuring that peaceful protesters can continue to make their voices heard."
View the disaster declaration.
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Libraries Add More Digital Services
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The City of Corpus Christi Public Libraries has new digital ways for residents to browse the library’s vast inventory. Readers can now set up customized notifications and virtually browse new and existing fiction, non-fiction, children's books, multimedia, and even our top picks all from your computer.
Visit www.cctexas.com/library and subscribe to our New Book Alerts to receive notifications about fresh titles arriving at our libraries.
Our new Author Check service allows readers to track their favorite writer, explore authors available in our libraries, and even view what book series are available in our inventory.
Any book lovers looking for recommendations can sign up for our Book Newsletter and receive a monthly email full of award-winning selections for all ages.
Curbside services are still available to check out library items. Call our automated phone system at 361-826-7055, press "7" to select your library location, after selecting your library location press "4" to speak to a circulation staff member Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
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Input Needed for Cole Park Pier Design
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Since the 1930s, Cole Park Pier has been a popular destination for Corpus Christians of all ages. After several decades as an anchor amenity, the pier was closed in 2018 due to structural issues. After City Council action to move forward with a reconstruction project, Jacobs Engineering was chosen as the designer for the rebuild project.
At this time, the City of Corpus Christi is excited to present the latest Cole Park Pier design renderings. This version is designed with help from citizen survey results. The public is invited to view a short video, review the renderings, and provide feedback.
A presentation video and renderings can be found online at www.cctexas.com/pierinput. Following the presentation, we encourage viewers to fill out the comment area with their thoughts and perspectives on the project.
Public input is requested by June 14, 2020. To download copies of the renderings, please visit www.cctexas.com/coleparkpier.
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TAMUK Offers Free Lunch to Students through June 30
Press Release
Texas A&M University-Kingsville and their food service provider, Aramark, will continue to provide a free lunch to students beginning during intersession Saturday, May 16, through Thursday, May 28, and continuing through Tuesday, June 30. The meals are provided on a to-go basis only at the Javelina Dining Hall in order to ensure social distancing.
Free lunch will be provided from 11 a.m. to 1 p,m. Monday through Sunday at the dining hall. Students must show a valid A&M-Kingsville identification card. Meals must be to-go only and all social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Students from the Irma Rangel College of Pharmacy also are welcome to use their ID cards to get a free lunch.
The free lunch will be served daily except Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, when the dining hall and the university are closed in observance of Memorial Day.
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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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TAMUK Guidelines for Recreation Center and Wellness Department
Press Release
The Student Health and Wellness Department (at Texas A&M University-Kingsville) remained open throughout the Spring semester and will remain open throughout the summer from Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. and welcomes all phone calls / emails inquiring about services for the summer and upcoming all semester. Student Health and Wellness will only provide health care and Tele-Mental Health counseling services throughout the summer for students enrolled in summer courses.
The Student Recreation Center is tentatively scheduled to re-open June 1 with specific social distancing and sanitation procedures in place. Facility members must reserve their time (not to exceed 1.25 hours) in the Rec Center online and can do so beginning May 15.
For more information about the reopening, visit
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Voter Fraud Through the Expansion of Mail-In Voting
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed a brief with the Court of Appeals for the Fourteenth Judicial District in Houston, defending the Texas Election Code requirements for submitting a mail-in ballot. This brief follows an appeal filed last month, which automatically stayed a Travis County District Court order misconstruing the Election Code to allow anyone to vote by mail using specific protections intended to aid only those with true disabilities.
“The integrity of our election process must be maintained, and the law established by our Legislature must be followed consistently. Unlawful expansion of mail-in voting, which is a special protection made available to Texans with actual disabilities, will only serve to undermine the security of our elections and to facilitate fraud,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Fear of contracting COVID-19 does not amount to a sickness or physical condition as required by state law. My office will continue to defend Texas’s election laws to ensure that our elections remain free, fair and safe.”
Read a
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College of Business Administration faculty plan COVID-19 research
Press Release
Dr. Ruth Chatelain-Jardon, associate professor, and Dr. Jose Daniel, assistant professor, both in the management, marketing and information systems department, will look at the moderating effect of technological skill on job demands and employee outcomes. Because of COVID-19, thousands of employees had to conduct their work activities from home, thus considerably increasing their use of technology.
“We expect that for some employees these abnormal job demands will not be as difficult to handle due to their superior technological expertise” Chatelain-Jardon said. “For others, it will be more complex, difficult and time consuming due to their lower ability to use and manage technology. We expect that these two scenarios will yield significantly different results for employee’s performance, innovative behavior, organizational commitment and job satisfaction.”
They have begun work to identify scales for each variable involved and they expect to collect data using hard copy and electronic versions of the survey, said Chatelain-Jardon.
This research is still in the early stages as they await approval from the university’s Institutional Review Board and must collect data. However, they expect to have the paper ready to be sent to a journal in about six months.
“We expect to confirm that the influence of these harshen job demands on performance, innovative behavior, organizational commitment and job satisfaction, will be lower for employees who exhibit a higher degree of technological skills,” Chatelain-Jardon said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gijs Van Oort, adjunct professor in the marketing, management and computer science department, has proposed research that will compare time-based trending patterns of COVID-19 impacted citizens of the Coastal Bend region with those of an urban location. The findings, Van Oort said, will be matched to data from economic development organizations to assess the economic impact of the disease on the regional economy.
“My overall intent is to identify and evaluate a time-based and region-specific response to current and future disasters,” he said. “The study will draw from clinical data from HASA, a regional Health Information Exchange, covering the Central Texas and Gulf Coast regions, surveillance data from area public health departments and data from regional economic councils.”
Van Oort said he hopes the results of this project will establish Texas A&M-Kingsville as a valuable data aggregator and collaborator for the region. He expects the project to offer key insights into the impact of the COVID-19 spread to rural and urban Texas communities.
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Shelly Luther Salon Owner Jailed for Working
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today sent a letter to a Dallas County judge, stating that he abused his authority by putting Shelley Luther, owner of a hair salon, in jail for opening her salon to feed her family.
“I find it outrageous and out of touch that during this national pandemic, a judge, in a county that actually released hardened criminals for fear of contracting COVID-19, would jail a mother for operating her hair salon in an attempt to put food on her family’s table,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The trial judge did not need to lock up Shelley Luther. His order is a shameful abuse of judicial discretion, which seems like another political stunt in Dallas. He should release Ms. Luther immediately.”
Read a copy of the letter here.
Governor Greg Abbott also released the following statement on the jailing of Dallas Salon Owner, Shelley Luther:
"I join the Attorney General in disagreeing with the excessive action by the Dallas Judge, putting Shelley Luther in jail for seven days. As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother."
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World of Fantasy and Magic
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The City of Corpus Christi Public Libraries has organized a special Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Virtual Adventure! Gamers ages 15 and up are invited to experience a game about storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery all from the comfort of their home.
Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game created more than 40-years ago. It’s known for its use of imagination, exploration, and social interaction.
Amazon.com
D&D beginners and veterans are welcome to join this free event, if you need help building a character and learning the instructions to the game, download the
. Visit
for registration information.
This quest begins on Friday, May 1 at 1:00 p.m. Players must have access to a computer with an internet connection.
For more information media representatives can contact Public Information Officer Dale Stephán at 361-826-3234 or by email at
.
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AgriLife Extension - Free Online Training For Child Care Providers
Press Release
AUSTIN - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service today announced a series of free online trainings for child care providers and parents who are either in need of, or who will be providing care for, children of essential employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first three trainings are available on Texas A&M AgriLife’s online learning platform. Additional free training sessions will be rolled out incrementally and will address health and safety guidelines, practices for staffing, essential materials for child care operations, developmentally appropriate activities, adult-child interactions and more. Trainings will also address topics such as emergency management planning, stress management and self-care for caregivers, planning at-home activities for children, parent-child communication, and supporting children’s emotional needs. Additionally, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott provided an introductory video for the child care training sessions.
"These trainings provide crucial health and safety information to parents and child care providers affected by the COVID-19 response, and ensure that providers and parents alike have the tools they need to effectively care for young Texans," said Governor Abbott. "I am grateful for this ongoing collaboration with our public and private partners to support Texans throughout this challenging time."
"AgriLife Extension has long been a leader in providing practical, research-based, objective information to the people of Texas so we are very well positioned to help them address various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic," said AgriLife Extension director Jeff Hyde, Ph.D. "I’m proud that we were able to develop these trainings to help support the Texas Frontline Child Care Task Force in providing important information and assistance to essential employees and their children during this difficult time."
"In my role leading the Frontline Child Care Task Force and as chair of the Texas A&M Board of Regents, I knew the people in AgriLife Extension not only had the knowledge and expertise needed to develop these online trainings, they also had credibility with child care providers," said Texas Frontline Child Care Task Force Chair Elaine Mendoza said. "I asked Dr. Stephen Green, head of AgriLife Extension’s Family and Community Health Unit, to put together a team of early childhood experts from his agency and any state agencies that could advise and support them in developing a series of trainings."
These online training courses were developed through a collaboration between the Governor's Texas Frontline Child Care Task Force, specialists in child and early child development, health, disaster assessment and recovery and family economics from AgriLife's Family and Community Health Unit. It also included experts from the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Children’s Learning Institute, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Texas Department of State Health Services.
The first three trainings available now are:
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Super Bag Collection Service
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The City of Corpus Christi’s Solid Waste Department announces the launch of a six-month pilot program called the Super Bag Collection Service. The program is for customers who want a convenient, scheduled pickup of leftover construction material from small home renovations, garage cleanups, landscaping jobs and other household projects.
The cost of a Super Bag is $135 with tax and includes the scheduled pickup. Super Bags can be purchased at the J.C. Elliott Collection Center located at Highway 286 and Ayers Street, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Super Bags can be purchased with cash, debit cards or personal checks and there is no limit to the number of bags customers can purchase at one time.
Once the Super Bag is filled and ready to be hauled away, customers will contact the City of Corpus Christi Call Center at (361) 826-CITY (2489) to schedule a pickup. A truck will collect the Super Bag within three business days. For more information about the service, please visit our website www.cctexas.com/superbag.
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Kleberg County Art Contest
Kleberg County Commissioners Court has invited childern in Kleberg county to create an original art project with the theme "
“Kleberg County Working Together to Slow the Spread of the Coronavirus”.
Students can use crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint or other art medium to create an artwork for The Kleberg County Strong Art Contest.
All artwork entries will be displayed in the Kleberg County Courthouse.
See flyer below for more info.
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Governor Abbott Announces Phase One To Open Texas
Press Release
File photo
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced the first phase of the State of Texas' ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase I, certain services and activities are allowed to open with limited occupancy, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is issuing minimum standard health protocols for all businesses and individuals to follow. The Governor also outlined special guidance for Texans over 65 and detailed a comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. The Governor also announced a statewide testing and tracing program developed by DSHS that will help public health officials quickly identify and test Texans who contract COVID-19 and mitigate further spread of the virus.
The Governor's announcement is accompanied by
Governor's Report to Open Texas
.
This detailed report, available on the strike force website, helps Texans understand phase one by outlining the new protocols, guidance, and recommendations. The report also includes a series of Open Texas Checklists that outline DSHS' minimum standard health protocols for all Texans.
"This strategic approach to opening the state of Texas prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and follows the guidelines laid out by our team of medical experts," said Governor Abbott. "Now more than ever, Texans must remain committed to safe distancing practices that reduce the spread of COVID-19, and we must continue to rely on doctors and data to provide us with the safest strategies to restore Texans' livelihoods. We must also focus on protecting the most vulnerable Texans from exposure to COVID-19. If we remain focused on protecting the lives of our fellow Texans, we can continue to open the Lone Star State."
By way of Executive Order (GA-18)
, all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls are permitted to reopen on Friday, May 1. These services must limit their capacity to 25% of their listed occupancy. Within shopping malls, the food-court dining areas, play areas, and interactive displays and settings must remain closed.
All museums and libraries may open under the same 25% occupancy limitation, but interactive areas of museums must remain closed. State libraries and museums will open by May 1, and local public museums and libraries may reopen only if permitted by the local government. Single-person offices may reopen as well.
Churches and places of worship remain open. Outdoor sports are allowed to resume so long as no more than four participants are playing together at one time. Certain social distancing practices must also be followed. Local government operations, including county and municipal government operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, may reopen as determined by the local government.
DSHS has recommended minimum standard health protocols for all individuals, all employers and employees, as well as industry-specific protocols for retailers, retail customers, restaurants, restaurant patrons, movie theaters, movie theater customers, museums and libraries, museum and library visitors, outdoor sports participants, single-person offices, and low COVID-19 counties. These protocols are outlined in the Open Texas Checklists within the
beginning on page 20.
Essential services such as farmers and ranchers, grocery and drug stores, banks, and gas stations will continue to operate. Public swimming pools, bars, gyms, cosmetology salons, massage establishments, interactive amusement venues, such as bowling alleys and video arcades, and tattoo and piercing studios will remain closed through Phase I. Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities must remain closed to visitors unless to provide critical assistance.
The Governor also established increased occupancy protocols for certain counties with five or fewer laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19. Those counties may, on an individualized basis, increase occupancy limits to up to 50% for restaurants, retail, shopping malls, museums and libraries, and movie theaters if they meet certain criteria. The county judge must certify and affirm to DSHS that the following standards have been investigated and confirmed to be met:
The county had five or fewer COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases on April 30, 2020 or, at a later date, five or fewer active COVID-19 cases as verified by DSHS.
The county has created a list of testing opportunities in the county or the area.
The county has been in contact with its designated regional advisory council to ensure the community is prepared for any needed health care transfers.
The county has provided public notice to the residents of the county, including: Signs and symptoms of COVID-19: Recommended health and safety protocols in line with CDC guidance; Information regarding how residents can get tested in the area; A link to the DSHS website where residents can go to learn about community spread in nearby communities, in order to help county residents understand their risk to exposure if they travel regularly outside of the county.
The county has contacted each of the following types of facilities located in the county to ensure they are complying with Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding COVID-19: Nursing homes; Assisted living facilities; Industrial, agricultural, or business facilities with a significant number of employees; and City or county jails.
The county is equipped and prepared to protect vulnerable populations, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The county has documented procedures to be activated if a resident becomes COVID-19 positive, including procedures to take appropriate measures as necessary in line with the plan to open Texas.
The county has contacted DSHS in order to create a plan to ensure contact tracing will occur within 48 hours of a positive test reported to DSHS.
Phase I will begin Friday May 1 and continue until at least May 18. The Governor will continue to evaluate next steps for the state.
The Governor's Report to Open Texas
also outlines a long-term comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. Eight recommendations have been developed by HHSC to help mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 and decrease the risk of infection in these facilities. A summary of the recommendations is below, and full recommendations are in
the Governor's report beginning on page 9
:
Quantify the extent of infection immediately
Establish a comprehensive mitigation plan
Re-evaluate current COVID-19 positive facilities
Appropriate isolation and placement of COVID-19 patients
Implement enhanced access controls
Enhance control of staff access
Effective notifications
Continue containment efforts
During the press conference, the Governor also announced a new statewide testing and contact tracing program. Developed and implemented by DSHS, this program will help identify individuals who have contracted COVID-19 and those who may need to quarantine or be tested due to potential exposure. This phased implementation will allow Texans to box in the virus and slow, or even stop, further spread. Phase I of the tracing program has been completed, and Phase II begins today. Phase III begins May 11. More details about the contact tracing program are available in the Governor's Report to Open Texas beginning on page 16.
Governor Abbott today also relaxed certain restrictions related to health care professionals and issued amended requirements related to hospital capacity.
Under an Executive Order (GA-19)
issued today:
All licensed health care professionals shall be limited in their practice by, and must comply with, any emergency rules promulgated by their respective licensing agencies dictating minimum standards for safe practice during the COVID-19 disaster.
Every hospital licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health & Safety Code shall reserve at least 15% of its hospital capacity for treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for the range of clinical severity of COVID-19 patients, as determined by HHSC.
Additionally, the Governor issued an
to eliminate the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for individuals traveling from Louisiana. Under GA-20, the mandated 14-day quarantine for travelers from the following areas remains in place: California; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan, and Miami, Florida.
View
Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's Report to Open Texas
.
View the Governor's Executive Orders issued today:
GA-18: Relating to the expanded reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
GA-19: Relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster.
GA-20: Relating to expanding travel without restrictions as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster.
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City of Corpus Christi to Apply for $222M Loan for Desalination Plant
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – City Council approved Tuesday, April 21, 2020, to apply to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for financial assistance through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) for a seawater desalination plant located on the Inner Harbor Ship Channel. The TWDB included the City of Corpus Christi’s project in the 2020 SWIFT program prioritization and invited the City to submit a full application by May 11, 2020.
As a regional water supplier for over 500,000 people and all types of businesses from tourism to industrial customers, the City has focused on long-term planning to meet the area's water supply needs. Partners in the process of securing funding include the San Patricio Municipal Water District and other regional customers.
The current application for $222,475,000 will fund the procurement, design, and construction costs of a seawater desalination facility. Applying for the SWIFT loan represents the next step in a systematic process that the City began in 2014 after Texas experienced a record-breaking drought.
The City’s current water rate structure for all customers includes 5 cents per 1,000 gallons of water consumed that is deposited in a protected fund for the development of a long-term water supply. In 2018, major water customers volunteered to begin paying 25 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used for a drought-resistant water supply. Both funds will help offset the cost of a new water source and will prevent “rate shock” to commercial and residential customers.
The City has also submitted permits to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for water discharge permits and water rights on the Inner Harbor Ship Channel and a possible future plant on the La Quinta Channel. The TCEQ is currently taking public comments on the permit application. The discharge permit on the application for the Inner Harbor facility is expected to be declared administratively complete in the near future. Both sites would produce public drinking water to benefit the region.
For additional information regarding the City's seawater desalination effort, visit
.
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Price Gouging by Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
Press Release
AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed a lawsuit against Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the dominant egg supplier in Texas, for taking unfair advantage of the Governor’s COVID-19 disaster declaration and raising the price of eggs by around 300 percent without any supply issues or significant disruptions. Price gouging laws apply to any person or entity selling necessities, such as food, at an exorbitant or excessive price after a disaster has been declared by the Governor or the President. This prohibition includes those who supply retailers.
“No one is exempt from price gouging laws in Texas, including suppliers of grocery stores and pharmacies,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My office will not tolerate any person or business taking advantage of hardworking Texans. Those who violate the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act will be met with the full force of the law.”
Under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, any price-gougers may be required to reimburse consumers and may be held liable for civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with an additional penalty of up to $250,000 if the affected consumers are elderly.
Texans who believe they have encountered price gouging or disaster scams 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
.
For information on the spread or treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the
Texas Department of State Health Services
website.
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Crisis Over the Demands of Prisoners
Press Release
AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today applauded the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for ordering a stay that blocks a lower court order sharply limiting state officials’ ability to respond to the rapidly developing COVID-19 pandemic in Texas prisons and across the State. The district court’s injunction imposed limits on the transfer of inmates, required unrestricted access to face masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies for each inmate, and imposed a plan for testing every single inmate for COVID-19. The Fifth Circuit also expedited arguments in this case.
“I thank the Fifth Circuit for prioritizing the needs of medical professionals and blocking the unreasonable demands the district court imposed on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). TDCJ has already diligently implemented measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and our medical professionals and those suffering from this health crisis are in desperate need of personal protective equipment, supplies and testing kits,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The district court has no authority to overrule Texas’s decisions about how to manage its scarce resources, and my office will continue to defend the prioritization of medical professionals on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19.”
Read a copy of the order here.
For information on the spread or treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
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$54 Million To Support Older Texans During COVID-19 Pandemic
Press Release
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will receive nearly $54 million in federal funds to support older Texans and people with disabilities during the COVID-19 response. The funding will be used to support programs and services administered by the state’s 28 Area Agencies on Aging such as home delivered meals, help with household chores, assistance with groceries, and respite care or other services for family caregivers.
"Older Texans and Texans with disabilities face a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and they need continued support during these trying times,” said Governor Abbott. “These federal funds will help provide higher risk Texans with additional support and resources to meet their everyday needs while allowing them to stay at home and stay safe. I thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for providing Texas with this crucial financial support so that we can continue to serve our fellow Texans."
"With Governor Abbott’s continued leadership, we’re committed to supporting and assisting the state’s most vulnerable population during the difficult time," said HHS Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson.
Funding will also be used to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which provides advocacy and complaint resolution services on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living awarded Texas nearly $54 million in funds through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic (CARES) Act recently signed into law by President Trump.
For more information on the state’s Area Agencies on Aging, visit the HHS website.
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