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Whispers
Thursday, April 9, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Austin sales tax revenues up for now
Although overall sales tax collection for Texas cities is slightly down overall, Austin and Round Rock will both receive an increased allocation this month compared to April 2019. Austin will receive more than $18.4 million, compared to about $17.8 million for the same month in 2019. Round Rock will receive more than $6.75 million, slightly more than the $6.68 million the city received last year.
On the other hand, San Antonio’s allocation for this month was more than 4 percent less than for the same month last year, according to an announcement from Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who announced Wednesday that overall tax collections for cities are about 0.5 percent less than they were a year ago. The allocations are based on sales made in February. Hegar warned that next month’s allocations will be lower because they will reflect sales in March, when pandemic-related shutdowns started to impact sales. His news release also said, “June allocations will likely deteriorate further.”
The comptroller also reported that sales tax payments to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority for this month would be about $20.3 million compared to about $19.4 million for last year. Overall, Capital Metro’s sales tax collection has increased more than 10 percent for the current fiscal year. The local transit agency has received more than $92 million in sales tax this year, compared to about $84 million for the same period last year. Capital Metro has stopped collecting fares for the month of April in order to protect both its customers and its drivers during the pandemic.
Thursday, April 9, 2020 by Tai Moses
Ransom Center offers remote research services
Yes, oh studious one, the libraries are all closed, but if you are engaged in critical research, there’s still hope. The Harry Ransom Center – UT’s illustrious humanities research facility – is also closed to the public, but its staffers are providing some modified research and reference services remotely through at least May 1. As the center put it in a message on its website, “Without access to collections, many reference and research queries, duplication orders and other public services are necessarily on hold. However, librarians, curator, and research and instructional support staff continue to be available to provide consultations via email, phone, or Zoom.” The Ransom Center has waived all fees during the closure. “Staff may assist with identifying and accessing online resources, and enabling provision and support in use of digital materials when available, for ongoing teaching and research.” Find helpful email addresses and information about which services the center is offering here.
Thursday, April 9, 2020 by Tai Moses
State Parks extends parks passes
This week, Texas State Parks made the difficult decision to temporarily close all state parks, “until public health and safety conditions improve.” But there’s a silver lining: Because of the closure, parks pass holders can add two months to the life of their pass. The extension is automatically granted to anyone whose parks pass was active on April 7. It may take a few weeks before the additional time appears on online accounts. If the closures continue, the state parks department may consider adding even more time to the passes.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Williamson County extends stay-at-home order
Williamson County has extended its “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through April 30 following President Donald Trump’s and Gov. Greg Abbott’s extensions of executive orders designed to keep people at home to control the spread of Covid-19. “Challenging times call for us to make hard decisions, but these have been made with the priority to keep our community as safe as possible, especially those who are part of the vulnerable population,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, who cited a recent UT Austin study that showed reducing social interactions by 90 percent could prevent area hospitals from being overwhelmed and save the lives of thousands.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 by Tai Moses
Get updated at Covid-19 webinar
Have questions about the impacts of the coronavirus on our region? Who doesn’t? At a virtual community town hall conversation hosted by Austin Justice Coalition, city and county leaders and health officials will discuss the impacts of the pandemic on different systems and communities in our area. Stephanie Hayden, director of Austin Public Health; Mark Escott, medical director of Austin/Travis County; and Joya Hayes, director of Austin Human Resources, are scheduled to speak. Register here for the Zoom webinar tonight (April 8) at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 by Tai Moses
Sew face masks for health workers
The Austin Disaster Relief Network has kicked off a mask drive with the goal of collecting 20,000 home-sewn fabric face masks. With new evidence showing that asymptomatic people may be able to transmit Covid-19, face masks are urgently needed. The donated masks will be distributed to caregivers and essential personnel throughout Austin-Travis County and 11 other member counties of the Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council. Please follow the CDC’s guidelines for sewing fabric face masks. Daniel Geraci, ADRN executive director, said in a news release, “We’ve been told by the city of Austin, CAMOC and CATRAC that the need for DIY face masks is immediate. We are mobilizing our network of churches to create task forces to recruit, equip and implement DIY face mask creation. We are also believing in faith that thousands of people will rise up to the challenges of making and donating these urgently needed homemade masks.” DIY face masks may be dropped off at ADRN headquarters, at 1122 E. 51st St., Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., at the back dock of Hope Family Thrift Store.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 by Tai Moses
Central Health discusses its Covid-19 response
Travis County residents without health insurance or a medical provider may obtain Covid-19 testing and treatment through Central Health, CommUnityCare or Sendero Health Plans. Community members who have questions about Central Health’s response to the pandemic are invited to attend a community conversation touching upon the following topics:
• Covid-19 hotline
• Covid-19 drive-thru testing
• Medical appointments by phone, and tele-health
• Pharmacy delivery and curbside services
• MAP and MAP BASIC health coverage for the uninsured
• Reaching vulnerable populations during the pandemic
• Protecting clinical staff and patients
• How you can help: Donating personal protective equipment
Wednesday, April 8, 11 a.m.-noon. RSVP here. Ring Central or telephone U.S.: +1 (888) 501-0031. Meeting ID: 149 371 4767.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
All Together ATX raises more than $3.5M
Last week, the Austin Monitor partnered with All Together ATX to raise money for local nonprofits serving residents suffering the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. We’d like to thank those who contributed and helped raise more than $3.5 million as of Monday evening. And we would like to remind those seeking assistance that applications for $25,000 rapid response grants are still open. Donations to the fund, which was launched by the Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin, are still being accepted.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 by Tai Moses
Texas WIC expands eligible foods list
The supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children known as Texas WIC is expanding the number of food items eligible for purchase through the program, according to a news release from Texas Health and Human Services. The additional items include more milk, bread, rice, pasta and egg options. Participants can find details on the Texas WIC website. Dee Budgewater, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Health Developmental and Independence Services, said, “Grocers assure us they can meet this increased demand and have supply chains ready to respond. The Texas WIC team is working around the clock to ensure families have access to healthy food, which is one of the best ways to support mothers and growing children and help them achieve a greater sense of health and well-being.” WIC clients can also download a new version of the app MyTexasWIC (available on Apple and Android) that helps families shop by showing which items are “WIC approved” products.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 by Tai Moses
KXAN and HEB raise funds for food bank
With so many people out of work and having trouble making ends meet, the resources of Central Texas Food Bank are stretched to the limit. Television station KXAN and grocery store HEB are answering the need with a fundraising and volunteer relief effort dubbed Feeding Central Texas. According to a news release, every week the food bank provides meals to nearly 50,000 Central Texans across 21 counties. For every dollar donated to Feeding Central Texas, the food bank can provide four meals for hungry families. Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank, thanked the two entities. “We’re so grateful to our friends at KXAN-TV and HEB for teaming up to help us fight hunger during this crisis. Having the support of such great community partners will make a huge difference. We’re seeing unprecedented demand for our services, so every donation helps.” Donate what you can to Feeding Central Texas here.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 by Tai Moses
You bike, ‘We Bike’
Ghisallo Cycling Initiative has kicked off a campaign to get people out of their homes and onto their bikes at least once a week. Before the pandemic and the shelter-in-place orders hit, the Austin nonprofit had planned to promote biking to work every Wednesday in April as a way to warm up for Bike Month in May. Now Ghisallo has adapted the campaign into “We Bike Wednesdays,” an invitation to take yourself for a solo bike ride and connect with others on social media. Post photos of your biking experiences on Facebook or on Instagram using the tag #gciwbw. Always keep at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and other cyclists, and please, bike solo or with members of your immediate household only.
Monday, April 6, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Parks close Barking Springs, golf courses
Over the weekend, Austin Parks and Recreation closed the Barking Springs spillway as well as access to all municipal golf courses. The parks department announced Friday that, due to park users’ inability to social distance at Barking Springs, the area would be closed until further notice. Starting today, golf course gates will be closed and walking, running, biking or any other use of golf courses will be prohibited. Though some parks remain open, officials remind users to keep a 6-foot distance from others, avoid team sports and let others know when you are passing them in order to help curb the transmission of Covid-19. The parks department is maintaining a list of closures for residents.