In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Partnership will provide a weekly update on public policies and other newsworthy items from local, state and national levels of government.

Executive Summary 
All levels of government continue to balance the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. At the federal level, Congress has passed a $480 billion interim emergency relief measure, which infuses funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and emergency health funding. When funding is available, Houston-area businesses should be prepared to apply quickly for capital. At the state level, the Open Texas Strike Force has been established to advise the Governor on safely and strategically opening up the state of Texas. Retail establishments will be able to reopen using "retail to go.” At the local level, the City of Houston and Harris County have appointed recovery czars. Marvin Odum will lead the city’s recovery efforts, and state Representative Armando Walle will lead the county’s recovery.

Federal 
Additional Funding for Small Businesses 

• On Thursday, Congress passed a $480 billion legislative package as an interim emergency relief measure which includes the following: 
  • $310 billion to replenish the SBA Paycheck Protection Program; 
  • $60 billion for other disaster loans to small businesses; 
    • $50 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program 
    • $10 billion for the Emergency Economic Injury Grant program 
  • $75 billion in emergency funding for hospitals 
  • $25 billion for testing 
• It is expected that the President will quickly sign the measure. 

Immigration Ban 

• On Tuesday, President Trump announced he would issue an executive order temporarily banning immigration to the U.S. 
  • The temporary ban will be in place for 60 days, with the potential to be extended longer if it is deemed necessary, and it will not include the guest worker programs. 

CARES Act 2/COVID 4 

• Leaders in both the Senate and House have acknowledged the need for a fourth coronavirus stimulus package, however the timing of the legislation remains ambiguous. 
  • Senate and House Democratic Leaders called for Congress to begin working towards a “CARES 2” package. 
  • However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently commented during an interview that it would be his preference to wait until the Senate was back in a full session before acting on a fourth package. 
    • Source: Politico
• There has been some discussion that CARES 2 would be very similar to its predecessor and include additional direct payments to Americans, funding for health care response, and state and local government funding. 

State 

• On Friday, April 17, Governor Abbott held a press conference to announce the first phased approach to reopening Texas and issued several executive orders: 
  • The Open Texas Strike Force was established which will directly advise the Governor on safely and strategically opening up the state of Texas.  
  • Beginning Tuesday, April 21, restrictions on surgeries will be loosened. 
  • On Friday, April 24, retail establishments will be able to reopen using "retail to go". This will require retailers to deliver items to customers' cars or homes while maintaining social distancing guidelines.  
• On Tuesday, April 21, Governor Abbott held a press conference to provide an update on increased testing across the state and resources to current job openings in Texas.  
  • The Texas National Guard is mobilizing 1200 personnel to expand testing across Texas.  
• On Thursday, April 23, Governor Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will receive close to $54 million in assistance to aid older Texans and the disabled in response to COVID-19. These federal funds will be used to support programs and services such as home delivered meals, grocery assistance and help with household chores. 
• Beginning Friday, April 24, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will provide a series of free online training to help local officials understand, acquire and administer federal assistance available to the state of Texas and municipalities through the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and CARES Act. This will help local leaders navigate the federal funding process to respond and recover from COVID-19. 
• Since mid-March, unemployment claims in Texas have reached 1.3 million. 

Numbers 

• 21,944 COVID-19 cases are reported in Texas as of late afternoon on April 23. 561 have died, 8,025 are estimated to have recovered, and more than 225,078 tests have been issued. 202 of 254 counties report cases. Harris County remains to be the highest in reported cases now at 5,211 with Dallas County behind at 2,683. 

Local 

• Mayor Sylvester Turner on Monday named former Shell Oil Co. Chairman and President Marvin Odum as the city's COVID-19 relief and recovery czar. Odum previously served as Houston's Chief Recovery Officer after Hurricane Harvey. 
• The City of Houston on Thursday announced a Health Equity Response Task Force to implement and accelerate rapid response to provide the most impacted communities and residents with additional information, supplies and services. 
• Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo named State Representative Armando Walle as the county’s COVID-19 relief and recovery czar.  
• Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Wednesday ordered residents to cover their faces in public starting next week.  
  • The new rules, which require residents 10 and older to cover their nose and mouth when outside the home, take effect Monday and last 30 days.  
  • Acceptable garments include a homemade mask, scarf, bandana or handkerchief. Medical masks or N-95 respirators are not recommended as they are most needed by first responders and health workers.  
  • The order can be found here. 
     

Visit the Partnership's COVID-19 Resource page for updates, guidance for employers and more information. And sign up for daily email alerts from the Partnership as the situation develops.