EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs measure intended to close loophole that could allow people to skirt workplace coronavirus vaccine mandates

President Biden also announced two executive orders at the summit.

HOUSTON – President Joe Biden signed 15 executive orders and actions within his first few hours in office. But the one catching the attention of Houstonians and the energy industry targets the Keystone XL pipeline. “In Houston, I have a lot of people in the energy industry,” said Congressman Mike McCaul. He notes that Congress previously has authorized the pipeline and believes the project is good for the country and oil and gas industry. “Cancellation of the Keystone pipeline really doesn’t mean anything for the Houston area,” he said.

However, that is not stopping the owners of Big Rivers Waterpark in New Caney. “All of our frontline staff are gonna be required to wear masks when interacting with the public,” said Big Rivers CEO & developer Monty Galland. Social distancing is one example. “We’ve separated all of these tables in a way that they can monitor social distancing and encourage all of our guests to adhere to all the social distancing measures,” Barnett said. Typhoon Texas also plans to cap the crowds at about 2500-3000 guests.

Published: May 2, 2020, 11:36 am Updated: May 2, 2020, 11:42 amHOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a new stay-home, work-safe order Saturday morning. Non-essential Harris County businesses and others that were not designated to reopen by Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order must remain closed through May 20, Hidalgo announced on Twitter. Abbott said he is aiming for May 18 as the target date for the second phase of reopening the Texas plan. Park benches, communal playgrounds, and playground equipment may increase the spread of COVID-19 and, therefore, shall remain closed.

HEDWIG VILLAGE – A Hedwig Village restaurant is defying state and county orders by offering a dine-in option. "We're trying to help open the economy, trying to get people back to work in the safest manner possible," said owner Matt Brice. Brice said he had opened the restaurant a few weeks before the orders went into place amid COVID-19. Houston At-Large Council Member Michael Kubosh said. Brice said he is not trying to break any laws and is supported by many Hedwig Village officials.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George has not yet committed to ordering 820,000 residents to wear facial coverings in public. Earlier that same day, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo ordered all residents above the age of 10 to wear a face mask in public starting next week. George also said he believed it was too earlier to start retail to-go services in Fort Bend. I will put guidelines out, and I have full confidence in Fort Bend County residents.”The county’s main priority is the safety of residents. George said he encouraged all residents, even those not showing symptoms of COVID-19, to be tested at Fort Bend County testing sites.

Adams is among two dozen people and groups suing Governor Greg Abbott, declaring his executive orders unconstitutional. "Let me make something real clear, nobody loves Governor Greg Abbott more than I do," Adams said Friday. “The 1975 disaster declaration act is unconstitutional, we believe, to the extent that it does allow him to suspend laws. The constitution makes very clear that only legislature can suspend laws,” Woodfill said. The 45-year-old law gives broad powers to the Governor of Texas to supersede and suspend laws in emergency situations.