The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently revised its face mask policy, allowing public transit passengers to forego masks in outdoor areas. The face mask requirement for all transportation networks, including public transportation, remains in effect while onboard or indoors through September 13, 2021.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will continue to require a CDC-approved face mask to be worn over the mouth and nose by passengers and operators at all times while on DART vehicles including buses, trains, and paratransit vehicles, Trinity Railway Express trains, in buildings and onboard the Dallas Streetcar.

Refusing to wear a mask, unless exempted or excluded under the CDC guidelines, is a violation of federal law and failure to comply will result in denial of boarding or removal, and passengers may be subject to federal penalties.

Face masks and hand sanitizer dispensers are installed on all buses, light rail vehicles, and Dallas streetcars and will continue to be available to all passengers.

If a DART passenger is concerned with someone not wearing a mask, they can contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, or use the “DART Say Something” app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play for free.

Staying Safe While Riding DART

DART remains committed to doing everything possible to keep both our patrons and employees safe through this pandemic. DART remains in close contact with local, state, and national health authorities, including the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC. DART encourages passengers who feel sick or are experiencing symptoms to stay home and avoid public places.

Cleaning and Protection

DART continues to undertake aggressive agency-wide cleaning and safety protocols on buses, light rail, paratransit vehicles, and properties. In addition to thorough nightly cleanings, DART buses and trains are also cleaned on a rotating basis with hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning solutions to sanitize and disinfect each vehicle.

Social Distancing

DART recommends maintaining a six-foot distance between both fellow riders and your DART operator, leaving an open seat between yourself and other riders when available, avoiding large groups, and staying home if you feel sick or are experiencing symptoms.

To enforce social distancing practices and protect customer and employee well-being, all transit center waiting for areas have been temporarily closed. DART riders can still use the outdoor areas for boarding buses and light rail vehicles.

You can find more information about how DART is working to keep our passengers safe at www.dart.org/health.

Source: dart.org

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced funding opportunities for more than $21 million in Occupational Safety and Health Administration training grants for non-profit organizations.

The first availability will provide $10 million under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021for Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, including the Coronavirus grants.

To be eligible for these grants, applicants must develop training that focuses on four program emphasis areas:

• Identifying and preventing workplace-related infectious diseases, including the coronavirus, in industries with high illness rates, those employing frontline workers or those serving susceptible populations.
• OSHA standards that address infectious diseases, including coronavirus.
• Workplace hazards identified in OSHA special emphasis programs or other priorities associated with infectious diseases, including the coronavirus.

Applications must be submitted at www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2021. Applicants must possess a D-U-N-S number and have an active System of Award Management registration. Obtain a free D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet.

The second funding availability is for the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. Funding of $11,787,000 is available for Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, and new Capacity Building grants.

Applicants can apply for a grant under one of the following funding opportunities:

• Targeted Topic Training grants support educational programs that identify and prevent workplace hazards. These grants require applicants to conduct training on OSHA-designated workplace safety and health hazards.
• Training and Educational Materials Development grants support the development of quality classroom-ready training and educational materials that identify and prevent workplace hazards.
• Capacity Building grants assist organizations that need time to assess needs and formulate a plan before moving forward with a full-scale safety and health education program, as well as expand their capacity to provide occupational safety and health training, education, and related assistance to their constituents.

Applicants may apply for and receive both an ARPA “Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, including the Coronavirus” grants and the standard Susan Harwood Training grants.

Applications must be submitted at www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on Aug. 17, 2021. Applicants must possess a D-U-N-S number and have an active System of Award Management registration. Obtain a free D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet.

OSHA awards grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, Indian tribes, and local and state-sponsored colleges and universities to provide infectious disease workplace safety and health training.

The Harwood Training Grant program supports remote and in-person hands-on training for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness, and fatality rates; and vulnerable workers, who are underserved, have limited English proficiency or are temporary workers.

Source: www.osha.gov

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Lori Cobos to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for a term set to expire on September 1, 2021. The PUC regulates the state’s electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications utility industries, implements respective legislation, and offers customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.

“I am proud to appoint Lori Cobos to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and I know that she will draw upon her wealth of experience and knowledge to faithfully serve the people of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Throughout her career, Lori has gleaned valuable experience in the power and utility industries, and her most recent leadership role at OPUC makes her a perfect choice for the Public Utility Commission.”

Lori Cobos of Austin has served as the Chief Executive and Public Counsel for the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) since April 2019. Over the last two years, Cobos elevated OPUC’s presence in the public, legislature, and state government. Cobos led OPUC through unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri, which impacted consumers across the state and ensured the agency assisted consumers during these extraordinary times.  Under her leadership, OPUC effectively represented consumers before the PUC, State Office of Administrative Hearings, state courts, and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Through the litigation of electric and water utility cases at the PUC in the last two years, OPUC helped achieve over $1.3 Billion in utility bill savings for residential and small commercial consumers in Texas, which included an agency record of approximately $1.179 Billion in consumer utility bill savings in 2020.

Cobos has over 17 years of broad experience in the Texas electric power industry in both the public and private sectors.  She served in several senior-level positions at the PUC, including serving as an advisor for two PUC Commissioners, assistant counsel to the PUC Executive Director, and senior policy analyst in the PUC’s policy development division, and served as in-house counsel at ERCOT.  Prior to joining OPUC, Cobos was an attorney in private practice, where she specialized in representing and advising clients on legal, regulatory, public policy, legislative, and business development matters in the Texas electric power industry.

Cobos is a member of the State Bar of Texas and served as the chair of the Public Utility Law Section. She received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University and was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review.  She received a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business, with Magna Cum Laude honors, from Sul Ross State University.  Cobos served on the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation Board of Directors as a gubernatorial appointee of Governor Abbott and served on the Sul Ross State University Alumni Board.

Source: gov.texas.gov

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that El Paso, having completed the multi-step certification process, has been designated as a Music Friendly Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO). The Music Friendly Community program seeks to foster music business-related economic development in Texas cities and communities.

“With support from the Texas Music Office, in 2019 the Texas music industry created more than 210,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs in communities all across the Lone Star State and generated $27.3 billion in economic activity,” said Governor Abbott. “As we focus on unleashing the Lone Star State’s economic might, I am committed to working alongside our communities to ensure they have the tools needed to succeed. Music Friendly Communities certified by the Texas Music Office are serious about attracting and developing local music industry growth, and I am proud of all that the Texas Music Office has accomplished in helping communities like El Paso spur job creation and economic growth.”

“Music has a significant influence on our culture and our everyday lives,” said Senator César Blanco. “The City of El Paso worked hard to earn the certification as a Music Friendly Community. This official recognition will help lift local voices, attract new talent, and strengthen economic development and tourism by growing the music industry in our community.”

“I am proud that El Paso has joined other great Texas cities in becoming a Music Friendly Community,” said Representative Lina Ortega. “I look forward to watching our vibrant, music economy continue to grow and develop with the help of this program.”

“El Paso is an attractive city for musical artists, and I’m proud we will receive this designation,” said Representative Ordaz Perez. “From orquestas, fiddlers, and pachucos to rock & roll, Tejano to hardcore, and everything in between, El Paso has a rich, diverse history and a welcoming community that continues to inspire musicians and bring visitors from all over the world.”

“I absolutely love live music, and some of the best concerts I’ve ever been to have been right here at home in El Paso,” said Representative Joe Moody. “I’m proud of our certification as a Music Friendly Community and appreciate Governor Abbott for recognizing what I’ve always known: Music is part of our DNA as a community.”

The El Paso community will celebrate the designation at Star City Studio (120 W Castellano Dr. El Paso, TX 79912) on Friday, June 18 at 3 pm. At the in-person celebration co-hosted by TMO, the City of El Paso, and the El Paso International Music Foundation, TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will present the Music Friendly designation to Veronica Castro, Director of Tourism Development for Destination El Paso.

El Paso joins more than 20 other Texas cities that have received the official Music Friendly Community designation. These cities include Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Denton, Lindale, Stephenville, Conroe, San Angelo, Nacogdoches, Abilene, McKinney, Waxahachie, Waco, Alpine, Bastrop, New Braunfels, Victoria, Lubbock, Denison, Arlington, Brenham, Dripping Springs, and Round Rock. Cities that are currently working through the certification process include Houston, Dallas, and Vidor.

About the Texas Music Friendly Community program: https://gov.texas.gov/music/page/music-friendly-communities

Source: gov.texas.gov