Gov. Abbott Announces Plan to Reopen State. On April 27th, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference at the state Capitol to announce an executive order for an initial easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The governor described a limited, phased reopening, requiring 2 weeks of steady or declining COVID-19 cases before moving from phase to phase. Phase One of the eased restrictions, which will supersede local ordinances, will take effect on May 1st after the expiration of the existing stay-at-home order. If the spread of the virus is successfully contained during Phase One, Texas could move to open more businesses and increase capacity in Phase Two as early as May 18th.
Phase One will allow the opening of all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, libraries, and malls, allowing businesses to operate at 25% capacity (or 50% in counties with fewer than five cases of COVID-19). Dental offices will be able to open on May 1st. Sole proprietors will be allowed to return to work under appropriate safety guidelines. The order will also further ease restrictions on outdoor recreation, allowing groups of four or fewer to participate in appropriately-distanced activities like golf or tennis. Phase 2, when appropriate, will allow those businesses to operate at 50% capacity in all counties.
Businesses determined to not yet be safe to reopen include barbershops, cosmetology businesses, bars, and gyms, though the governor said his office is actively working on ways those businesses can safely reopen. The governor pointed to an extensive guidebook online with information on reopening with safe distancing protocols, expanded testing capacity, and more from the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas, accessible at: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas
Governor Abbott Announces New COVID-19 Test Collection Site. On April 24th, Gov. Abbott announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services have launched an online COVID-19 test collection map to help Texans locate test collection sites within their community.
The interactive map displays detailed information on public and private mobile, walk-in, and drive-thru test collection sites around the state. A search feature allows Texans to locate test collection sites near them and includes important detail such as contact information and hours of operation for each location. The COVID-19 test collection map can be accessed at: https://txdps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8bf7c6a436a64bfe9a5ce25be580e4ff.
Lt. Governor Forms COVID-19 Working Groups. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced on April 24th that he has established six Senate working groups to discuss challenges the state will face in the next legislative session as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:
“COVID-19 has changed our lives in Texas and in America in ways that will continue to impact us going forward as we re-open our state. I have asked every senator to work together in small discussion groups – using a think tank model – to discuss the challenges Texas will face in the next legislative session as a result of the pandemic. The Texas Senate is committed to making sure our state continues to lead, not only in combating this awful disease but also in making sure our economy can move forward.”
Economic Impact & Budgeting
Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen
Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston
Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown
Senate Pandemic Preparedness
Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola
Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston
Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper
Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston
Public Schools & Higher Ed
Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney
Sen. Beverly Powell, D-Burleson
Health, Hospitals & COVID-19 Issues
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham
Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway
Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels
Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown
Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston
Jobs & Re-Opening the Economy
Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills
Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas
Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo
Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
Food Supply Chain, Food Banks & Agriculture
Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo
Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio
Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood
Sen. Peter Flores, R-Pleasanton
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville
Department of Housing and Community Affairs Secures Housing Assistance. On April 24th, Governor Abbott and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs announced that Texas will provide HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance through funds authorized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The HUD waivers will allow a portion of funds to be used to help families and individuals with up to 100 percent of the cost of rent, security deposit payments and utility bills for tenants affected by loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to $11.3 million will be available in coming weeks to be distributed to qualifying Texans.