Texas bars will soon be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity indoors at the discretion of the presiding county judge, according to a new order from Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott’s newest executive order applies to areas with “low Covid-19 hospitalizations,” which is defined as hospital regions where Covid-19 patients constitute 15 percent or fewer […]
Gov. Greg Abbott
Posted inElections
Travis County officials plan to fight governor’s order limiting drop-off sites for mail-in ballots
Travis County officials say they plan to fight Gov. Greg Abbott’s order limiting the number of locations where voters may hand-deliver their mail-in ballots. Abbott announced the order Thursday, the same day local election officials opened the four drop-off sites. “Under this proclamation, beginning on October 2, 2020, mail ballots that are delivered in person […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health official says governor relaxed capacity rules too soon
Lee esta historia en español. Austin Public Health’s interim health authority says he would have rather waited a few more weeks before easing capacity restrictions for businesses in the area. On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that many businesses, including restaurants, gyms and libraries, may open at 75 percent capacity beginning Monday. Dr. Mark Escott […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Gov. Abbott proposes freezing property tax revenue in cities that cut police funding
In the hopes of discouraging cities from reducing money spent on police, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he and other state leaders support the passage of a bill halting a property tax revenue increase for any Texas city that cuts its police budget. “Cities that endanger residents by reducing law enforcement should not then be […]
Posted inCity Council
Council seeks to add teeth to virus regulations
Mayor Steve Adler is proposing two ordinances: one would authorize the city health authority – in this case Dr. Mark Escott – to adopt rules protecting people from Covid 19 and create a class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 for anyone convicted of violating those rules. The second ordinance would allow […]
Posted inPublic Health
Gov. Abbott issues order requiring Texans to wear face coverings in public
People in Texas counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases will be required to wear face coverings when in public starting Friday — and those who don’t could be fined. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday mandating people wear face coverings over the nose and mouth when inside businesses or other spaces open […]
Posted inAustin
With Abbott’s green light, Austin will require businesses to enforce mask rules
While the governor has said Texans can’t face penalties for not wearing face coverings, cities and counties can apparently mandate that businesses require their customers to wear masks. Austin Mayor Steve Adler issued an order Wednesday requiring businesses to start doing so by next week. “Wearing masks is important, to our health and to opening […]
Posted inPublic Health
Gov. Abbott says Texas has enough hospital beds to handle increase in Covid-19 cases
There’s no reason to panic over a recent uptick in hospitalizations due to Covid-19, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday. Although Texas has had a record number of people being hospitalized for Covid-19 in the past several days, Abbott said during a news conference that the state still has “thousands” of hospital beds available. “The increased […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Texas governor warns of out-of-state agitators, but protesters arrested in Austin were from here
Gov. Greg Abbott warned during a press conference Tuesday that people are coming to Texas from outside of the state to protest violently. “Some of the violence that we’re seeing is not being done by people who reside in Dallas or even in Texas,” he said at Dallas City Hall. “Instead, the violence is coming […]
Posted inAustin
Water parks, adult sports programs, mall food courts can reopen this month
Water parks, recreational sports programs for adults, driver education programs and food-court dining areas in malls can reopen this month with certain occupancy restrictions and health protocols, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday. Water parks can open at 25 percent occupancy starting Friday. Interactive components of water parks, like video arcades or child play areas, must […]
Posted inCity Council
Ahead of Abbott’s reopening, Council members urge state to address Covid-19 in East Austin
Ahead of Gov. Greg Abbott’s moves on Monday to allow more Texas businesses to reopen and cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, four members of City Council representing East Austin urged the state to do more to protect vulnerable communities from the virus’ impact. A letter co-signed by Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and Council members […]
Posted inAustin
Texas attorney general warns some Austin-Travis County Covid-19 orders are ‘unlawful’
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and outgoing Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday saying some of the requirements in their local public health orders are unlawful and “likely to confuse residents.” Paxton sent similar letters to leaders in Dallas County, Bexar County and the city of […]