Abbott Alerts are your latest update on all things Texas politics!
April 23rd, 2020
"The Abbott Alerts newsletter allows you to stay up to date on the latest news, and I'll let you know what we are doing to keep Texas the most exceptional state in America."
ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR’S STRIKE FORCE TO OPEN TEXAS
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Last Friday, I issued an Executive Order establishing the Strike Force to Open Texas. The Strike Force brings together a team of nationally recognized doctors who are advising the State of Texas about the best healthcare standards to contain the spread of COVID-19 while we work to revitalize the economy and get Texans back to work.
This medical team will work with an advisory committee of business and community leaders to develop the best strategies to reopen the Texas economy while limiting the spread of COVID-19.
We are working with state agencies as well as our federal and local partners to reopen the state while adopting safe standards to ensure we keep Texans safe.
More announcements will be made on Monday, April 27th. Stay up-to-date on the Strike Force To Open Texas on Twitter
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, and Instagram
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UPDATING EXECUTIVE ORDER ON HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND PPE
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Early on in our response to COVID-19, I issued an Executive Order suspending certain elective surgeries and procedures in hospitals to ensure that Texas had enough hospital bed capacity for COVID-19 patients.
Today, Texas has plenty of hospital beds to meet our needs. That is why last week I issued another Executive Order that loosens the previous restrictions on elective surgeries and procedures. This order went into effect on April 22nd and will allow doctors to diagnose and treat more medical conditions without the need for an exception. However, hospitals must now reserve at least 25 percent of their capacity for COVID-19 patients.
REOPENING SELECT SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IN TEXAS
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Under my new Executive Order, a new retail-to-go model will go into effect for select services and activities in Texas starting this week.
Reopened establishments are required to deliver items to customer's cars, homes, or other locations to minimize contact.
For more information on retail-to-go, read the Texas Department of State Health Services’ guidelines for businesses operating under this model HERE
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CLOSING SCHOOLS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2019-2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
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My new Executive Order also addresses schools. The team of doctors advising us have determined that it would be unsafe to allow students to gather in schools for the foreseeable future. As a result, school classrooms are closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This includes all public, private, and higher education institutions.
Teachers may go into the classroom for video instruction, to perform administrative duties, and to clean out their classrooms as the state combats COVID-19.
CONNECTING TEXANS WITH JOBS DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME
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As we work to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep Texans safe, we also understand that this pandemic has caused severe economic devastation with many Texans losing their jobs.
This week, I provided an update about online resources that Texans can use to find job openings throughout the state. Currently, there are nearly 500,000 jobs posted on WorkInTexas.com
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WorkInTexas.com is a powerful online matching and workforce solution system developed by the Texas Workforce Commission that provides a one stop shop for employment tools such as postings, education and training, and complete resumes and state applications at no cost.
Texans can also work with their local workforce development boards to find jobs in their communities.
Click here
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to find out more about your local workforce development boards.
HONORING SAN MARCOS POLICE OFFICER JUSTIN PUTNAM
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Flags were at half-staff in the San Marcos region to honor the life of Officer Justin Putnam who was killed in the line of duty.
We are eternally grateful for our police officers who serve and protect our communities.
God bless our first responders.
ANNOUNCING TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD MOBILE TESTING TEAMS
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In collaboration with Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas National Guard is mobilizing more than 1,200 personnel as part of COVID-19 mobile testing teams (MTT).
These MTT sites will have the capacity to test 150 people per day at each location across the state.
Thank you to the Guardsmen who serve their fellow Texans, especially during these challenging times.
TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE LAUNCHES SMALL BUSINESS WEBINAR SERIES
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The Texas Economic Development and Tourism (EDT) office launched a small business webinar series to provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with timely, relevant, and actionable information on COVID-19 recovery resources.
As the state continues to respond to COVID-19, we are grateful for the partnerships between EDT and local organizations around the Lone Star State.
TEXANS HELPING TEXANS THROUGH COMFORT FOOD CARE PACKAGES
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Restaurants across the Lone Star State are stepping up to provide meals for at-risk youth and families in communities across Texas.
The Comfort Food Care Package program is partnering with companies like Jason's Deli to provide this additional food source, while giving Texans another way to support local restaurants experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.
We appreciate everything that you all are doing for your fellow Texans.
Restaurants interested in participating in the program can sign up HERE
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WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO ADDRESS OIL & GAS CHALLENGES
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Volatile oil and gas markets due to COVID-19 pose economic challenges for our state and the entire nation.
I have been in constant contact with the White House on this issue, and they continue to be responsive to Texas’ needs. We will continue to work with President Trump and his administration to address these challenges while maintaining America’s energy independence.
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY IS STEPPING UP IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
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Andrew Telep, assistant director for the Experiential Learning Commons at Baylor University, has printed 900 tension-relief bands in just one week for frontline workers in Waco.
Time and time again, we see Texans responding to challenges with resilience. We appreciate the continued support from people across the state who are stepping up during these unprecedented times.
TEXANS HELPING TEXANS
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Businesses and people across the state continue to help their fellow Texans as the state responds to COVID-19.
If you are able to volunteer your time or donate supplies, click here.
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FOLLOW ME TO GET BREAKING NEWS EACH DAY
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