Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat, wants to boost the homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled homeowners so that they will pay less in property taxes. He believes older taxpayers and veterans deserve a break in light of the coronavirus and rising property values. The homestead exemption has not been adjusted since 2008.
Currently, those who are disabled, and those who are senior citizens (65 or older) have a property tax exemption of $160,000. Garcia want to increase that exemption to $229,000. The exemption would be on top of the standard homestead exemption of 20 percent that’s available to all homeowners. So, the homestead exemption for seniors and the disabled would be a total of $286,000.
Qualified homeowners also would pay no property taxes to the flood control district or hospital district. School taxes would remain the same.
Garcia’s proposal is a reversal from his previous stand on property taxes. Last year he supported a one-time property tax hike of 8 percent.
Garcia’s proposal is supported by fellow commissioner Rodney Ellis who is also a Democrat.
“Everyone has been hit hard economically by COVID-19 and I’d like to commend Commissioner Garcia looking into this as a potential relief opportunity for elderly, disabled, and veteran homeowners,” Ellis reportedly said in a statement to the Houston Chronicle.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, a Republican, told the Chronicle that he welcomed Garcia’s “newfound concern” for Harris County taxpayers.
“After all, it was only seven months ago that he proposed raising county taxes by the maximum amount possible without voter approval and then berated Commissioner Radack and me when we were able to force a tax rate cut instead.”
Precinct 3’s Steve Radack, a Republican, called the proposal a “gimmick,” noting that others may have to pay more in taxes in order to keep revenues neutral.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat, reportedly said she had no opinion on Garcia’s plan because she had not yet reviewed it.
County Commissioners plan to take up the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting.
La superestrella multi-platino Prince Royce acaba de lanzar el video de “Besos Mojados”, canción que se desprende de su más reciente producción discográfica, el álbum doble Alter Ego.
La artística y minimalista producción es parte de un cuerpo de trabajo filmado por el reconocido director Carlos Pérez que incluye videoclips para la mayoría de las canciones del álbum. Cada video, captura el estado de ánimo y la estética única de la canción. Como regalo especial para los fanáticos, Royce continuará lanzando los videos de las canciones de Alter Ego cada dos semanas, según las van escogiendo sus fans a través de sus redes sociales.
Alter Ego debutó en febrero en el #1 en los listados de Billboard, “Top Latin Albums”, “Latin Album Sales” y “Tropical Albums”. Además, ALTER EGO ya ha sido certificado Doble Platino por la Asociación de Industria Discográfica de Estados Unidos por sus altas ventas en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. Alter Ego tuvo la semana debut más exitosa para un álbum latino desde abril 2019 y este ha sido el único álbum debut #1 en el listado Tropical Albums este año.
El más reciente sencillo del álbum “Carita de Inocente” ha estado en el puesto #1 del listado Tropical Airplay de Billboard por siete semanas consecutivas sumándose a las otras canciones del doble álbum que han llegado al tope de los listados: “Morir Solo” también llegó al #1 en el listado Tropical Airplay de Billboard, su éxito 6x Platino “El Clavo” fue #1 en Latin Airplay y su sencillo 2x Platino “Adicto” feat. Marc Anthony se mantuvo en la posición #1 de Tropical Airplay por siete semanas consecutivas.
Además, su colaboración con Manuel Turizo, “Cúrame”, ha sido certificada 2x Platino, llegó al #5 en el listado Global de YouTube y permaneció en el Top 5 del Global Viral chart de YouTube durante siete semanas, alcanzando la posición #3.
Alter Ego es el único álbum doble inédito lanzado por un artista latino en más de una década.
Alter Ego encapsula dos años de trabajo creativo y expresión musical que culmina en un fantástico laberinto de romance en sus diferentes formas de expresión. El álbum está compuesto por “Génesis” y “Enigma”. En “Génesis” Royce amplía el sonido y las influencias que dieron inicio a su carrera, esta vez con conceptos y letras más maduras, y a la vez experimenta con elementos más tradicionales que cambian las canciones con interesantes colaboraciones. En “Enigma”, Royce se sumerge en distintos mundos musicales con los cuales experimenta, se arriesga y evoluciona creando música más artística, innovadora y sin censura. El resultado es una obra maestra que representa lo mejor de esos dos mundos – una aventura musical resumida en un poderoso doble álbum (en español con algo de inglés) destinado a convertirse en un clásico. Todas las canciones del álbum vendrán acompañadas de un componente visual que se irán lanzando en el canal de YouTube del artista.
Prince Royce es finalista de los Premios Billboard 2020 en la categoría Artista Tropical del Año.
La balada del momento, “ADMV” ya tiene una nueva versión, “ADMV” Versión Urbana, la cual el ídolo global de la música latina, MALUMA, lanza hoy junto a su videoclip que fue grabado en Grecia justo antes de tener que posponer su gira 11:11 World Tour a causa de la pandemia global del COVID-19.
El plan inicial para el video de “ADMV” fue grabarlo en su totalidad en Grecia con el director Nuno Gomez pero al tener que salir de Europa a causa de la pandemia, tan sólo tenían una porción del video grabado, su actuación de la canción, Al llegar a Miami, se grabó un video totalmente distinto para la versión original, y respondiendo a los pedidos de los fans que se quedaron con las ganas de ver al ídolo cantando la canción en Atenas, Grecia, se decidió utilizar ese pietaje para el videoclip de la versión urbana de la balada, también dirigido por Nuno Gomez.
Para escuchar “ADMV” Versión Urbana haga clic AQUÍ y para ver el nuevo videoclip presione AQUÍ.
El nombre de la emotiva canción es la abreviatura de “Amor De Mi Vida” y la misma, nace en el corazón del artista.
“Es una canción que es muy especial para mí, esto es algo que me sale desde el corazón, me recuerda el motivo por el cual comencé mi carrera y me pone a pensar mucho sobre qué va a pasar en el futuro – si nos vamos a tomar el tiempo de amar al otro, abrazar al otro – Hoy la entrego para que la puedan dedicar a todos los seres que amamos antes de que se nos vayan”,expresó Maluma.
Fue escrita en Jamaica en el mes de enero durante un viaje en dónde Maluma estuvo explorando sonidos. Los autores son Maluma junto a Edgar Barrera, Vicente Barco y Miky La Sensa; fue producida por Edgar Barrera y Maluma.
Parte de la letra dice. . .“Cuando nos falle la memoria y sólo queden las fotografías, que se me olvide todo menos que tú eres mía, cuando los años nos pesen y las piernas no caminen, los ojos se nos cierren y la piel ya no se estire, cuando lo único que pese, sea lo que hicimos en vida, y aunque nada de esto pase, eres el amor de mi vida.”
Maluma recientemente se convirtió en el primer y único artista masculino latino en alcanzar 50 millones de seguidores en Instagram.
###Acerca de MALUMA: Con tan sólo veintiséis años de edad, Juan Luis Londoño Arias, mejor conocido por su nombre artístico Maluma (compuesto por las primeras letras de los nombres de su madre, su padre y su hermana) se ha convertido en uno de los artistas de mayor impacto en la música urbana y el ídolo juvenil de la música latina a nivel global. Ganador del Latin Grammy 2018 al Album Pop Vocal Contemporáneo (por F.A.M.E.) Maluma es uno de los cantantes más populares con fans activos en las redes sociales y el líder entre cantantes masculinos latinos con más de 50.8 millones de seguidores en Instagram. De hecho él es el primer y único artista latino masculino que ha sobrepasado los 50 millones de seguidores. Esta cifra se le suma a más de 23 millones de fans en Facebook, 6 millones en Twitter y 23 millones de suscriptores en su canal de YouTube.
En el 2017 presentó 105 conciertos en América Latina, Estados Unidos, Europa e Israel, vendiendo más de 1 millón de tickets en su MALUMA WORLD TOUR 2017 y convirtiéndose en el artista latino que vendió la mayor cantidad de tickets de conciertos en el 2017. En el 2018 y el 2019 rompió records con llenos totales en todos sus conciertos en Estados Unidos y Europa con su F.A.M.E. World Tour y 11:11 World Tour llenando a capacidad el Madison Square Garden (Nueva York), American Airlines Arena (Miami) y dos The Forums (Los Angeles) entre otros. En el 2019, agotó las entradas en el estadio más grande de Israel, el Yarkon Park en Tel Aviv con más de 60.000 espectadores; hizo historia en el 18º Festival Anual Mawazine en Rabat, Marruecos, estableciendo un récord de asistencia de todos los tiempos como protagonista del concierto frente a 200.000 person; y se presentó por primera vez en Riyadh, Arabia Saudita ante 25.000 personas.Desde firmar con Sony Music Latin en el 2015, Maluma ha lanzado tres álbumes que han debutado en el #1 del listado Latin Albums de Billboard: Pretty Boy Dirty Boy (2015), F.A.M.E.(2018)y 11:11 (2019). Maluma es el artista más joven en obtener simultáneamente #1 y #2 en el listado ”Latin Airplay” de Billboard (“Sin Contrato” y “Chantaje”) y solamente el sexto en logarlo. Hasta la fecha, Maluma tiene quince éxitos #1 en el listado Latin Airplay de Billboard.
Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan yesterday asked an appeals court for an order clarifying that the County can proceed with vote by mail applications for the July 14th primary runoff.
Travis County State District Court Judge Tim Sulak issued an order April 17 allowing citizens to request a vote by mail ballot based on “disability,” one of the allowable reasons to request a mail ballot, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. His order also prevents the state from “taking actions” to prevent county elections officials from accepting and counting mail-in ballots from those voters.
Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed the ruling claimed this prevents it from being enforced. County Attorney Ryan disagrees and asks the court to issue an order stating the trial court’s order stands pending appeal and that such mail ballot applications can be accepted.
“The order from Judge Sulak was very clear in stating that counties can proceed with accepting mail ballot requests,” County Attorney Ryan said. “Unfortunately, the Attorney General’s press statements and refusal in accepting the trial court’s preliminary injunction have injected additional uncertainty into the process.”
Ryan’s brief reports preparations for the July 14th runoff are underway now and that vote by mail applications have increased, with a number of persons filing applications for the runoff who did not vote by mail in the primary. In addition, the County has received a larger number of applications stating “disability” as the reason for the mail ballot.
The County Attorney points out that polling by Prof. Robert M. Stein of Rice University shows that two-thirds of those he recently surveyed say they are very or somewhat likely to vote by mail if they can, regardless of age, race, gender or party affiliation. Other polling shows some voters may not vote at all without access to mail-in voting because of the pandemic.
“What concerns me about the polling is that nine percent of Texans surveyed stated if they cannot vote by mail and are only eligible to vote in person in the July 14 run-off, they do not plan to vote at all,” said County Attorney Ryan. “While Attorney General Paxton as a political actor may wish to suppress the vote and keep those citizens who are unwilling to risk their lives and health from voting, such a goal is unconstitutional.”
The Harris County Attorney asks the Appeals Court to immediately issue a temporary order clarifying that the trial court judge’s order which entitles any citizen without immunity to coronavirus to vote by mail remains in effect for the duration of the appeal and that those mail ballot applications that specify “disability” will be valid and counted in the runoff.
“The safety of Harris County voters and election workers depends on it,” said County Attorney Ryan.
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners will set up new sites offering free COVID-19 tests for the week of May 26, 2020.
Texas Division of Emergency Management The Texas Division of Emergency Management and the department will open two drive-thru test sites:Kingwood Park Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood, May 26 – 27Sagemont Church Annex, 11600 Hughes Road, May 28 – 30.TDEM sites require appointments, available by calling 512-883-2400 or visiting txcovidtest.org. The sites will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until each reaches its daily capacity of 250 tests.
United Memorial Medical Center United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) will open a new drive-thru and walk-up test site at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street. UMMC will continue to offer drive-thru testing at its site at Houston Community College-Southeast, 6815 Rustic.
Each site will open May 26-29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until reaching its daily capacity of 250 tests. The sites don’t require people to have symptoms or appointments.
People needing information about UMMC test sites can call 1-866-333-COVID or visit ummcscreening.com.
Kroger Health Kroger Health and the health department will operate a free drive-thru test site at the Collier Regional Library, 6200 Pinemont Drive, May 26-30.
The site requires appointments by visiting krogerhealth.com/covidtesting. It will open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until reaching its daily capacity of 175 tests.
Houston Health Department The department will continue to operate two free drive-thru COVID-19 community-based testing sites open to anyone, regardless of symptoms. Each site has capacity for 500 tests per day and opens daily until capacity is reached.
People can call the department’s COVID-19 Call Center at 832-393-4220 between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to receive an access code and directions to the nearest site.
New days of operation for the sites beginning Tuesday, May 26, are Monday through Saturday. The sites will close on Sundays beginning May 31.
Federally Qualified Health Centers The health department is providing test kits, lab access and equipment to four local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) so they can expand their COVID-19 testing capacity. The centers and phone numbers people can call to set up testing appointments are:Spring Branch Community Health Center, 713-462-6565El Centro de Corazon, 713-660-1880Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, 713-426-0027 andLone Star Circle of Care at the University of Houston,346-348-1200.FQHC patients pay what they can afford, based on income and family size, and are not denied services due to inability to pay or lack of insurance.
The department and its agency partners may shift locations and schedules of test sites to better meet community needs. Houstonians should visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for current Houston test sites and information about stopping the spread of the virus.
For the first time in 55 years, Ford is expanding the Mustang family, bringing the famous pony into the electric age with Mustang Mach-E, an all-new, all-electric SUV born of the same all-American ideals that inspired the best-selling sports coupe in the world.
Ever since the original Mustang took the world by storm in 1964, it quickly came to represent the best of the American spirit: Freedom, progress, fast performance and a touch of rebellion. Now, Mustang is ready to reimagine these ideas for a powerful electric future, with space for customers’ growing needs and advanced over-the-air updates that continue to improve the vehicle.
“At the first-ever Detroit auto show, Henry Ford said he was working on something that would strike like forked lightning,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “That was the Model T. Today, the Ford Motor Company is proud to unveil a car that strikes like forked lightning all over again. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E. It’s fast. It’s fun. It’s freedom. For a new generation of Mustang owners.”
Developed in a century-old brick building a few blocks away from Henry Ford’s first factory in Detroit, Ford brought the Mustang Mach-E to life through a development process concentrated entirely on customer needs and desires. The result is a sleek, beautiful SUV that delivers spirited ride and handling, with state-of-the-art connected vehicle technology that makes Mach-E even better over time.
When it arrives in late 2020, Mustang Mach-E will be available with standard and extended-range battery options with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive powered by permanent magnet motors. Equipped with an extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive, Mach-E has a targeted EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles.1 In extended-range all-wheel-drive configurations, Mach-E is targeting 332 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque2 – with the standard all-wheel-drive variation targeting quicker times to 60 mph than the base Porsche Macan series.3
Ford also will offer two special performance versions. The GT is targeting 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds2, making it faster off the line than a Porsche Macan Turbo3. The GT Performance Edition, meanwhile, is targeting a comparable 0-60 mph in the mid-3-second range to a Porsche 911 GTS.3 Both GT configurations are targeting an estimated 342 kW (459 horsepower) and 830 Nm (612 lb.-ft.) of torque.2
“The Mustang Mach-E wholeheartedly rejects the notion that electric vehicles are only good at reducing gas consumption,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer. “People want a car that’s thrilling to drive, that looks gorgeous and that can easily adapt to their lifestyle – and the Mustang Mach-E delivers all of this in unmatched style.”
Customers can now visit the Mustang Mach-E reservation site to make a $500 reservation deposit.4 A limited First Edition will be available in extended-range all-wheel drive, with red painted brake calipers, metallic pedal covers, contrasting seat stitching and a scuff plate marked First Edition. Those looking for the thrill of the Mach-E GT can make reservations now for deliveries starting in spring 2021.
In addition to blistering acceleration, Mustang Mach-E will be available with Brembo’s all-new performance Flexira aluminum calipers, which maintain the functionality of a fixed caliper while being designed with the dimensions of a floating caliper. The GT Performance Edition is equipped with a MagneRide® damping system, adaptive suspension technology that lets drivers hug the road while delivering an exciting, comfortable ride.
Performance gives new meaning to the word ‘electrifying’
Mustang Mach-E delivers three unique drive experiences – Whisper, Engage and Unbridled – each offering finely tuned driving dynamics packaged with a distinct sensory experience. Features include custom-designed vehicle responsiveness such as sportier steering controls, ambient lighting, sounds tuned for an authentic all-electric experience, and dynamic cluster animations that are tied to driving behavior.
When the vehicle launches, a new Mach-E 4 all-wheel drive system will be available that can apply torque independently to the front and rear axles to deliver impressive acceleration and improved handling over the rear-wheel drive model. Ford tuned this system to provide excellent traction on the road, rigorously testing the vehicle in wet and snowy terrain to help control for slippery conditions. Mach-E is the first production vehicle to be tuned by the Ford Performance team utilizing Ford’s racing simulator in North Carolina.
“Whether you want to really feel its performance capability or are looking for the quiet atmosphere that electric vehicles can offer, the Mach-E harnesses the power of electrification to create a unique driving experience while retaining that unmistakable Mustang feeling of freedom,” said Ted Cannis, Ford enterprise product line director, global electrification.
Seamless technology that easily adapts to your lifestyle
Making its debut in the Mach-E is the next-generation SYNC® communications and entertainment system, a sleek and modern interface that uses machine learning to quickly learn drivers’ preferences, and gets even better over time thanks to advanced over-the-air updates. Next-generation SYNC’s 15.5-inch screen and simple interface ditches complicated menus, making it easier to access features with touch, swipe and pinch controls that every smartphone owner will be comfortable using.
“Next-generation SYNC actively starts adapting to you as soon as you start using it, quickly learning your preferences and making personalized suggestions,” said Darren Palmer, Ford global director for battery electric vehicles. “It can suggest going to the gym if it learns Mondays are workout days or calling home if you do that every day after work. The result is a cloud-connected assistant and interface that’s intuitive, beautiful and ready for the future thanks to fast over-the-air updates.”
As next-generation SYNC evolves to serve customers better over time, Ford has outfitted the Mach-E with the ability to continuously improve through the delivery of secure over-the-air updates that are capable of enhancing vehicle performance, offering maintenance updates and even adding entirely new features.
A new way to look at – and to experience – Mustang
Using Ford’s new all-electric architecture that places batteries inside the underbody, Ford engineers and designers were able to create a vehicle that’s not only true to Mustang but also maximizes SUV space for five passengers and cargo.
“Thanks to advances in battery technology, the Mustang Mach-E is the kind of car that gets people excited about driving, with a sporty, beautiful silhouette that delivers an incredible shape rarely seen in SUVs,” said Ron Heiser, Ford Mustang Mach-E chief program engineer.
The Mach-E is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, thanks to signature elements such as its long, powerful hood, rear haunch design, aggressive headlights and trademark tri-bar taillamps. Clever design and engineering delivers surprising rear seat roominess and ample cargo space.
Along with its all-new propulsion system, the Mach-E holds another surprise under its hood – a drainable front trunk storage unit. Providing 4.8 cubic feet of storage space, the front trunk is large enough to comfortably store the equivalent of a carryon luggage bag. And because it’s drainable, customers can easily pack it full of ice and keep their favorite beverages cold – perfect for that pre-game tailgate or trip to the beach.
Inside the Mach-E: A floating world makes you feel light and in command
To truly take advantage of the extra space provided by electrification, Ford designers worked extensively with customers to understand how they would prefer to use the interior of their vehicles. Designed with SUV-size proportions to seat five adults comfortably, the Mach-E leaves plenty of space for friends, kids and cargo.
In addition to the exterior front trunk, the rear trunk offers 29 cubic feet of space. With the rear seats down, the Mach-E boasts 59.6 cubic feet of space – more than enough room for luggage, camping gear or whatever else you may want to move around.5
Everywhere inside, the Mach-E represents a fusion of sleek, modern design and smart functionality. Premium available Bang & Olufsen speakers are seamlessly integrated across the front, floating above the air vents like a sound bar. A floating flip-up armrest doubles as a place to store purses or bags.
Traditional Mustang design cues like the double-cowl instrument panel round out the interior.
Even the available panoramic fixed-glass roof has a secret – a special glass coating with infrared protection helps the interior stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In addition, an inner layer between the glass helps protect against UV rays.
Finally, getting in and starting the vehicle is easy and effortless with Phone As A Key technology6, which makes its debut in the Ford brand lineup in Mustang Mach-E. Using Bluetooth, the vehicle can detect customers’ smartphones as they approach, unlocking the Mach-E and allowing them to start driving without getting their phones out of their pockets or using a key fob. A backup code can be entered on the center touch screen to start and drive the vehicle in the event a phone battery dies.
Battery technology keeps you running with hassle-free charging solutions
Mustang Mach-E will be available in both standard-range (75.7 kWh lithium-ion battery) and extended-range (98.8 kWh battery), which has a targeted EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles in rear-wheel-drive configuration.1 These advanced batteries feature 288 lithium-ion cells in the standard-range version and 376 lithium-ion cells in the extended-range. Designed for ease of manufacturing, the battery is located on the floor between the vehicle’s two axles – and tested at temperatures as extreme as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The batteries are secured inside a waterproof battery case surrounded by crash-absorption protection. They are liquid-cooled to optimize performance in extreme weather and to improve charging times.
As electric vehicle owners do 80 percent of their charging at home, Ford offers a Ford Connected Charging station that can add an estimated average range of 32 miles per charging hour on a 240V outlet, based on extended-range, rear-wheel-drive configuration.7 The Ford mobile charger, included with the vehicle, can add an estimated average range of 22 miles per charging hour on a 240V outlet,7 the same used for a conventional oven. Ford is teaming up with Amazon Home to facilitate easy customer home installation by a licensed electrician.
The connected navigation system will identify up-to-date public charging locations during trips and prompt owners to charge at the most convenient points on each drive – all to help ensure they don’t have to be anxious about how much range they have.7
Ford also makes charging at home or on the go hassle-free by providing multiple home charging solutions and by giving customers access to the FordPass Charging Network – the largest public charging network in the country with more than 12,500 charging stations (and more than 35,000 charge plugs) and growing, including DC fast chargers.8 With peak charging rate of 150 kW, the Mustang Mach-E with an extended battery and rear-wheel drive can add an estimated average of 47 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station.⁷ The standard-range Mustang Mach-E is estimated to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 38 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station.⁹
Ford has more than 2,100 EV-certified Ford dealers and more than 3,500 EV-trained technicians to support customers nationwide.
Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced that all City swimming pools and splashpads will remain closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The difficult decision comes following careful consultation with local health experts and a consensus that public pools are a particularly difficult venue to protect persons from viral spread.
“We are keeping swimming pools and splashpads closed to help protect our community’s health and safety. COVID-19 has not disappeared, and we must work together to save lives,” Mayor Turner said. “As people visit parks and enjoy the outdoors, I encourage everyone to maintain social distance, wear face coverings, and wash their hands. If you are sick or part of the vulnerable population with chronic conditions, please stay home and stay safe.”
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department also announced that beginning June 1, 2020, the following Houston Parks and Recreation Department amenities will reopen in accordance to national guidelines regarding restrictions: – Golf courses and driving ranges at Memorial Park, Melrose Park and Sharpstown – Tennis Centers (Lee LeClear, Homer Ford at MacGregor Park, Memorial Park) – 5 Disc golf facilities – Croquet court at Memorial Park
“While we are sad that our City swimming pools and splashpads must remain closed for safety reasons, we are happy to move closer to normal operations with the reopening of some of our most popular amenities,” said Steve Wright, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “We know how eager our citizens are to take advantage again of all the features our parks, trails and greenspaces have to offer. But we just have to do everything we can to make sure our citizens remain safe when visiting our sites.”
Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and follow CDC guidelines on personal hygiene prior to heading to our parks. This includes washing hands, carrying hand sanitizer, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying at home if you are feeling ill. And remember, if you bring litter into City parks, please dispose of it by tossing it in trash bins, or taking it away for disposal elsewhere. For more information, visit www.houstonparks.org.
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will begin a phased opening of driver license offices starting May 26th with limited service offerings. As part of this opening plan, DPS will launch a statewide driver license (DL) appointment system that allows customers to book appointments up to six months in advance. The limited services being offered will be by appointment only.
“This phased opening of our driver license offices and the launch of DPS’ online appointment system prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and ensures Texans have access to the services they need at their local driver license offices,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank DPS for developing this safe and strategic plan to open their offices and for launching a new appointment system to streamline our driver license services.”
The four-phase plan for the opening of driver license offices is as follows:
Phase 1: Offices in DPS’ Northwest and West Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning May 26, 2020. Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit or ID card, as well those who are in need of a drive test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions on May 22 at 1 p.m.
Phase 2: Offices in DPS’ South and Central Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning May 29, 2020. Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit or ID card, as well those who are in need of a drive test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions on May 26 at 1 p.m.
Phase 3: Offices in DPS’ North and Southeast Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning June 3, 2020. Customers who currently do not possess a Texas DL, CDL, learner permit or ID card, as well those who are in need of a drive test, can begin scheduling appointments in these two regions on May 29 at 1 p.m.
Phase 4 will allow customers to schedule an appointment for all DL office transactions anywhere in the state and is expected to begin midsummer. DPS will announce details on this phase at a later date. Extension for expiration dates will remain in effect until phase 4 is implemented.
Lone Star College-Houston North and Lone Star College-North Harris have a campus near you. Visit us at LoneStar.edu today and apply now for Summer and Fall courses!
