Will Texas Bars and Restaurants Begin to Further Re-Open Soon?

Gov. Abbott hints at further reopening Texas by stating that since his “last orders in July, COVID numbers have declined—most importantly hospitalizations”. Abbott tweeted last Monday night that he hopes “to provide updates next week about next steps”.

It’s Worth the Money to be an AGGIE!

Money Magazine set out to answer the question of whether or not a college degree is really worth the cost. In their article  “These Are the 25 Best Colleges for Your Money Right Now”  Texas A&M University was ranked #11 out of the top 25 best colleges for your money nationally, also making Texas A&M the top pick in Texas.

The Texas Tribune is Hosting Their Virtual Tribune Festival

Speakers coming up in the next week include Andrew Yang, Gloria Steinem, Glenn Hegar, Jennifer Palmieri, Jay Hartzell, Dan Huberty, Larry Taylor, Giovanni Capriglione, Mary González, and more. With many more speakers that you will not want to miss, featured all month long.

This is a great source to get informed on everything Texas and on the climate of the upcoming 87^th Texas Legislature – with handfuls of informed speakers holding discussions every week of September.

Here is the full Tribune Fest Lineup: https://festival.texastribune.org/schedule

Rapid-fire Special Election

Six candidates have filed to compete in the Senate District 30 Special Election on September 29^th. In addition to Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) and Shelley Luther, the other Republican candidates include Denton Mayor Chris Watts, Craig Carter, a small business owner who ran for the Republican nomination for Senate District 30 in 2018, and Andy Hopper, a Decatur software engineer who is a member of the Texas State Guard. Jacob Minter, a Collin County electrician and recording secretary, is running as the sole Democrat.

Cheers to that!

You may have noticed that your favorite local watering hole re-opened its doors over the weekend. Here’s why!

Texas sues Harris County

Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County on Monday after it refused to drop plans to send applications for mail-in ballots for the November election to more than 2 million registered voters.

Best. News. Ever.

We think everyone needs a little good news! We thought we weren’t going to get our Fletcher’s corny dog this year – but September 25-October 18, Big Tex will be opening his doors for the Fair Food Drive-Thru. Tickets go on sale today!

Texans thought we were done with elections until November – we were wrong. Another special election has been set, this time for Texas Senate District 30

The Tuesday, September 29 special election will determine who will fill Senator Pat Fallon’s recently vacated seat in the Texas Senate. Candidates must file their applications with the Secretary of State by 5 pm this Friday, August 28th. Early voting for the special election begins Monday, September 14th.

Three candidates are expected to run including State Representative Drew Springer of Muenster, Denton Mayor Chris Watts, and Dallas hair salon owner Shelly Luther.

​New Texas Women’s Health Caucus Website Launch

The Texas Women’s Health Caucus recently launched their new caucus website, https://www.txwomenshealth.com/.

State Representative Donna Howard serves as Chairwoman for the Texas Women’s Health Caucus, an official bipartisan caucus of the Texas House of Representatives with 38 members. The TWHC seeks to promote women’s health care and access and to educate legislators on women’s health care issues including the need and cost-saving benefits of these services​.

Only in Austin…

Austin: “We’re not just for weird people anymore”

Read this fun article on moving to Austin.

State Representatives filled out a House Member Survey to state their preferences for conducting business during the pandemic.

House Administration Chairman Charlie Geren thanked members of the Texas House for their “thoughtful input” on the member survey concerning how the Texas House ought to conduct business during the coronavirus pandemic which was distributed to all House members. The survey results will help guide the House policies for conducting business this year and the during the upcoming 87th Texas Legislative Session.

Over 80% of the Texas House members support checking temperatures and mask requirements upon entering the Capitol building. Over 60% “oppose permitting outside groups to reserve and use public spaces like committee rooms, the legislative conference center and member’s extension lounge.”

You can read the full survey HERE.

Texas Football: A&M 50% capacity, UT Austin 25% capacity, Texas Tech 25% capacity, Baylor 25% capacity.

Texas A&M will kick off their 2020 football season on September 26th with a home game at Kyle Field in College Station vs, Vanderbilt.

The SEC released the remainder of the 2020 schedule Monday night on the SEC Network.

The complete schedule has now been posted.

Two Dallas Lawmakers spoke at the virtual Democratic National Convention Tuesday evening.

State Rep. Victoria Neave and U.S. Rep Colin Allred were among 17 speakers chosen for the keynote address on Tuesday night.

Although no Texans have scored a solo speaking slot in this year’s virtual Democratic National Convention, these two Dallas lawmakers landed a slot as keynote speakers.

Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner departs.

Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan notified Gov. Abbott that he will resign in September after three years of serving as the head of the TDI.

Only in Austin…

Austin’s own “Minister of Culture” Matthew McConaughey hosted an interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci via Instagram Live last week.

You can watch the live interview in full on Instagram @officiallymcconaughey

McConaughey and Dr. Fauci begin their discussion with a round of “myth-busters”. McConaughey is comparable to a football coach on game day as the two discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the necessity to unite across political party lines to defeat the “common enemy”.

Opening Texas schools could be 2020’s top election issue.

Public education employs a large number of Texans and is largely funded by property taxes. In addition to health and education, many factors will affect the reopening of Texas schools, including transportation, food and janitorial services, policing, and more.

“Safely getting Texas students back to school — virtually or actually — could be the best evidence between now and the election that official responses to the pandemic are working.”

Texas Universities have begun to brace for a financial hit due to many unforeseen challenges throughout 2020.

In May Gov. Greg Abbott asked state agencies to cut costs by 5% after a blow to the state budget which came with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Texas universities are facing budgetary crises related to shutting down campuses and moving instruction to online and hybrid models. To tighten their belts and produce budget cuts, universities are enforcing hiring freezes, furloughs, and layoffs, as well as eliminating new job openings. Some programs and sports may also be eliminated.

The pandemic raises this question: Should the Texas Legislature meet for 140 days?

Traditionally, the Texas Legislature meets every odd year for 140 days. The pandemic raises the question of whether or not the 87^th Texas Legislature should meet for the entire 140 days in 2021.

State Senator Pat Fallon has been chosen as the nominee for the recently opened congressional contest for Congressional District 4.

 An election will need to be held to replace Senator Fallon’s Senate District 30 seat, which encompasses areas such as Denton, Wichita Falls, Stephenville, and McKinney.

While we have all been getting our food and beverages to go, the Texas State Capitol building has remained closed to the public since spring break due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Discussions around how to conduct interim committee business as well as how to conduct business during the upcoming 87th Texas Legislative Session beginning January 2021 are underway.

Early voting for the November 3rd election will begin on October 13th.

Gov. Abbott has extended the early voting period for the November election by six days. Early voting will now begin Oct. 13 instead of Oct. 19 and will continue until Oct. 30.

Tesla is coming to Austin

Tesla is going to build a new Giga factory in Del Valle, just outside of Austin. Welcome to Austin, Tesla!

Only in Austin…

There was an ALLIGATOR spotting in Austin?! We don’t see many alligators here in Austin, but don’t worry…

An alligator can be a great way to measure social distancing. Here’s a Texas twist on social distancing brought to you by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:

We hope you and your loved ones are remaining safe & healthy. Remember to use caution and stay three armadillos apart!

Only in Austin…

Governor Greg Abbott Urges Texans to Wear Masks

Calling the ongoing surge in coronavirus cases “unacceptable,” Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday urged Texans to wear masks in public. The governor reiterated established voluntary practices to protect against the virus including staying home when possible, using hand sanitizer, keeping six feet of distance from others and wearing a mask when social distancing is not feasible.

Emphasizing that the last option would be to close down the state again, Gov. Abbott said Texas’ strategy to address the rising numbers is to step up enforcement of places where large crowds gather, such as bars, surge testing in possible hotspots and ensure hospitals continue to have capacity for COVID-19 patients.

Texas Schools Will Reopen This Fall

“It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers, and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said last week. “But there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that their children can be educated remotely, if the parent so chooses.” Draft documents posted on the Texas Education Agency website Tuesday show the state is planning few mandatory coronavirus prevention measures when public schools reopen in fall, but recommends staff and students wear masks, hand sanitize regularly and stay six feet away from each other.

In higher education news, many Texas universities are shelving SAT and ACT requirements as the coronavirus pandemic has heavily affected the admissions process. The University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University and St. Edward’s University have all temporarily scrapped their testing requirements through 2021; Texas A&M University will announce a decision regarding exam requirements in the coming weeks.

To-Go Alcohol Sales Could Be Made Permanent in Texas

In mid-March, Governor Greg Abbott signed a waiver allowing to-go alcohol sales in Texas in an effort to support struggling restaurants that had to close their dining areas during the coronavirus shutdown. On Saturday, the governor tweeted his support for making those sales permanent. State Representative Tan Parker replied with a pledge to file a bill in the legislative session that convenes in January to extend to-go alcohol sales past the coronavirus pandemic, and include bulk retail food items in the measure.

The Texas Restaurant Association recently proposed expanding the current waiver, which has been extended indefinitely, to also allow mixed drinks with liquor to be prepared, resealed and sold, as a way to boost sales that have leveled out in recent weeks. The proposal included safety recommendations, including ways to seal the drink and rules for where customers can keep alcohol.

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The Memo will take a break during the month of July. Have a wonderful July 4^th holiday, keep washing your hands and know that we will share Capitol news with you as soon as it develops.

Stay safe!

Only in Austin…

Austin’s Paramount Theatre posted a reminder about the upcoming primary runoff election in Texas, which was rescheduled to July 14^th after the coronavirus pandemic preempted the original May date. Early voting begins June 29^th.

Governor Greg Abbott Addresses Texans as Coronavirus Cases Rise

Gov. Greg Abbott reassured Texans on Tuesday that hospital beds remain plentiful and treatment options have improved, even as coronavirus infections and hospitalizations increase in Texas. The governor noted that fewer Texans have tested positive than residents of other large states, and that Texas has the second lowest death rate of the 25 most affected states.

In explaining the rising trend, Gov. Abbott mentioned temporary spikes in positive tests in some isolated areas. He also suggested some young people are not practicing appropriate social distancing at “bar-type settings.” He pointed to a recent warning by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which said bars and restaurants could lose their licenses for 30 days if they do not follow state guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Bars are currently allowed to operate at 50% capacity and restaurants at 75% capacity.

The governor said that Texans know the strategies to coexist with COVID-19 for a few more months while vaccines and treatments are developed: masks, hand sanitizer and safe social distancing.

Texas A&M System Creates $100 Million Scholarship Fund to Address Diversity

During a special called meeting on Monday, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously approved the creation of a $100 million scholarship fund aimed at making the system’s 11 universities more inclusive and reflective of Texas’ demographics, as well as bolster aid meant for economically disadvantaged students, or students who are the first generation of their families to attend college. The program will disburse $10 million annually over 10 years, and has been in the works for some time.

Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp emphasized the need for the student population to reflect that of the state. According to 2019 data, white students currently comprise more than half of the student population at the College Station campus, while black students make up less than 4%. Hispanic and Asian students make up 21% and 8% of the student population, respectively. At the same time, Texas’ population is 41% white, 39% Hispanic and 12% black, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Pandemic Plunders Texas Lottery

The Texas Lottery Commission estimates it has lost $85 million in ticket sales during the coronavirus pandemic, which translates into a $23 million loss to the Texas Permanent School Fund.

You can’t win if you don’t play – support our kiddos and veterans and go buy a ticket!

Texas in Third Phase of Reopening: Almost All Businesses May Open at 50% Capacity

Texas entered Phase III of reopening last Wednesday, with Governor Greg Abbott allowing bars and virtually every other type of business that was restricted in Phase II to 25% capacity to jump to half-capacity. At restaurants, already at 50% capacity, maximum table sizes were allowed to increase to 10 patrons from six, and starting June 12, they will be permitted to run at 75% capacity.

Amusement parks finally can plan on reopening, though on a staggered basis: counties that have had more than 1,000 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 won’t be able to reopen theme parks such as Six Flags and Sea World until June 19, at 50% capacity. Theme parks in counties that have had fewer than 1,000 cumulative cases, however, were allowed to open at half-capacity immediately — such as the Schlitterbahn locations in New Braunfels and Galveston.

Water parks, which have been open at 25% capacity since May 29, were allowed to immediately go to 50% capacity. Additionally, swimming pools, libraries, museums, rodeos, equestrian events and sporting events – professional, collegiate or similar – were able to immediately operate at 50% capacity.

Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Releases Agency Staff Reports

The Sunset Advisory Commission was created by the Texas Legislature in 1977 to make state government more efficient, effective and accountable by regularly evaluating state agencies and making recommendations on the need for, performance of and improvements to agencies under review.

The commission is currently in the process of reviewing 21 state agencies (2 under limited scope review) prior to the 87^th Legislature, which will convene in January 2021. Sunset staff reports for the following agencies are now available: Texas Animal Health Commission, Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board, Teacher Retirement System of Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, Prescribed Burning Board, Early Childhood Health and Nutrition Interagency Council, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Due to current events surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the commission’s regular meeting schedule has been disrupted; their meetings page will post updated information as it becomes available.

Only in Texas…

Socially distancing seagulls line up along the pier in Port Aransas, currently one of the top destinations on Airbnb in the U.S. A virtual office can be located just about anywhere, right??

Texas Sales Tax Revenue Falls 13.2% in May

On Monday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Texas collected about $2.6 billion in state sales tax revenue in May, 13.2% less than the roughly $3 billion the state collected in the same month last year. It’s the steepest decline in over a decade and is the first full-month look at how Texas’ statewide stay-at-home order impacted businesses.

“Significant declines in sales tax receipts were evident in all major economic sectors, with the exception of telecommunications services,” Hegar said. “The steepest decline was in collections from oil and gas mining, as energy companies cut well drilling and completion spending following the crash in oil prices.”

Other major tax collections were also down in May. Motor fuel taxes were down 30% from May 2019, the steepest drop since 1989. And the hotel occupancy tax was down 86% from May 2019, the steepest drop on record in data since 1982.

Helpful Websites for Texas Job Seekers

In these quickly changing times, here are a few websites we recommend that may be helpful for friends or loved ones seeking employment now or in the future. Christine’s List focuses on Texas jobs in advocacy, information and public administration. Another resource is Texas Political Jobs, a compilation of legislative, political, public affairs and public policy jobs across the state at every level. Additionally, WorkInTexas.com is the Texas Workforce Commission’s comprehensive online job search resource and matching system, providing recruiting assistance to Texas employers and job search assistance to individuals seeking Texas employment.

Only in Austin…

Resident great horned owl Athena, who has returned to her nest at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin for the last several years, is raising another brood. The owlets were recently photographed near the nest, sticking together as they learn to hunt and eventually survive on their own.