As we shelter-in-place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett has introduced bipartisan legislation to require a special ACA enrollment period in times of a public health emergency. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the legislation in the Senate. “The Affordable Care Act is an invaluable tool in combating the coronavirus pandemic. Let’s give more Americans an opportunity to access affordable health care, especially those who missed last year’s Trump-narrowed and little federally publicized enrollment period. And for those who have discovered that the junk, short-term insurance plan they purchased is really junk, this represents an opportunity to secure genuine health insurance,” said Rep. Doggett. The bill would establish a 30-day special enrollment period for anyone who wants to enroll, ensure that patients can get prevention, diagnostics and treatment, and waive restrictions and limitations on access to covered benefits (such as prior authorization requirements and limitations on filling or refilling prescription drugs).

Helping hands are coming from a lot of surprising places these days. One of those places is the Texas Comptroller’s Office, which has kindly reached out to say it “knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there’s so much uncertainty.” Hence, the comptroller is offering assistance to businesses that may be struggling to pay their full February sales tax amounts. Help comes “in the form of short-term payment agreements, and in most instances, waivers of penalties and interest.” Businesses are advised to call the Enforcement Hotline at 800-252-8880 to learn about options for remaining in compliance and avoiding interest and late fees. Visit the COVID-19 emergency response website for online tools, tutorials and other resources for tax services.

Meeting by videoconference Wednesday, the board of directors of the Travis Central Appraisal District approved a request from Chief Appraiser Marya Crigler to suspend all face-to-face meetings between appraisers and protesting taxpayers. Like many other governmental agencies, TCAD bowed to the requirements of Gov. Greg Abbott’s declaration of a statewide public health disaster in order to protect employees and the public from COVID-19. Asked whether the board had approved Crigler’s request, Board Member Blanca Zamora Garcia said, “Yes, we did. We don’t have any choice at this point.” Taxpayers will be able to have hearings on their property values either over the phone or via internet. TCAD was embroiled in lawsuits last year for failing to schedule hearings on a timely basis. But because of the coronavirus, the office is closed to all in-person interactions. Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant, a member of the TCAD board, told the Austin Monitor that as soon as the public health emergency is over he was confident the agency will return to its normal ways of doing business. Crigler also announced Wednesday that Travis County residents who need to file what is called a rendition will have until May 15. The normal filing date is April 15, but because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus, Crigler extended the deadline for filing the reports, which describe personal property used for business purposes.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating financial impact on a lot of Austinites. In an effort to support the community and the local restaurants that are suffering, the Austin Police Association and Austin Cops for Charities donated a total of $10,000 to the Central Texas Food Bank. The organizations also voted to support the restaurants by having them provide hot meals for officers. In a news release, the groups say, “Our officers feel incredibly thankful to still be working and supporting the community that has been so good to us. We encourage our community members to buy local and support our great local business who are suffering dearly during this pandemic.” Community members can help local restaurants and first responders by making a tax-deductible donation at www.austinc4c.com.

Some good news: The city has waived extra trash fees until further notice. A few reminders to protect the health and safety of collections staff: Please place all trash in tied bags to keep it safely contained. Use BPI-certified compostable bags or paper bags for your compost. And don’t bag those recyclables.

The Trail Foundation reiterated county and city orders urging Austinites to stay in until April 13. Though the shelter-in-place orders that went into effect today allow for outdoor exercise, they caution people to stay 6 feet away from others. “According to our Trail counters, usage on the Trail has not decreased in the past two weeks,” Trail Foundation CEO Heidi Anderson said in a statement to the press. “And as local media has reported and we’ve observed, many people are not practicing social distancing and other critical steps to avoid spreading the coronavirus. … Our message to those who love the Trail is this: It will be there for us when this season passes. Now is the time to let the Trail rest while we do. We need to do our part, stay home, take care of ourselves and our families, and also the larger community.” Though the Trail Foundation does not have the authority to close the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, it urged Austinites to “stay in and exercise as close to your own home as possible” in an effort to reduce social interaction by 90 percent, which is a stated goal of Mayor Steve Adler. For those who do go ahead and use the trail, the foundation asks people to step aside to allow for safe passage and to frequently wash hands. While trails and parks remain open for use by the public, exercise equipment and public playgrounds are closed.

County Judge Bill Gravell ordered a new directive for Williamson County in conjunction with the city of Austin and Travis County Tuesday in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. “We’re trying very hard to walk in unison and I have to tell you that I have more confidence today than I did a week ago because of the people that stand behind me and because of the people that stand with me,” said Gravell, who issued his own “Stay home, stay safe” order that can be read in full below.

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As part of an ongoing effort to educate the public on the COVID-19 pandemic, UT Health Austin, University Health Services and Dell Medical School at UT Austin have produced an infographic they are asking the public to share. The one-page sheet describes best practices and offers definitions for some of the terms that are now common usage in the media, but may be unfamiliar to many. The graphic can be found below and on UT’s website, and more updates and information on COVID-19 can be found on Dell Med’s COVID-19 resources page.

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All Austin Water buildings closed this week to observe social-distancing regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staffers have expanded virtual and electronic services to accommodate customers needing to do business with the utility and recommend following these guidelines:

• Service Extension Request applications and associated backup materials may be submitted electronically to SER@austintexas.gov for screening and invoice generation. The SER team will generate an invoice and then payment can be made over the phone (512-972-0009). Hard copies of the SER application should still be mailed to Austin Water, Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th St., Austin, TX, 78701 (Attention Albert Ramirez).

• Austin Water Residential Plan Review: Staffers continue to process tap plan reviews electronically through the Austin Build + Connect website portal. For questions, coordinate with Reyna Holmes (Reyna.Holmes@austintexas.gov or 512-972-0202). Staff will continue to accommodate virtual or online meetings where necessary.

• Austin Water Commercial (Sites and Subdivisions) Plan Review: Staffers continue to perform complete site plans and subdivision plans, project reviews and approvals electronically. Staff will continue to accommodate virtual or online meetings where necessary. For additional questions, email your assigned project coordinator directly or visit www.austintexas.gov/page/pipeline-engineering.

• Austin Water Commercial Site Plan Plumbing Reviews: Consultations with Austin Water Site Plan plumbing reviews may be conducted virtually using existing email and video conferencing alternatives as necessary.  For additional information, please contact Cory Harmon (Cory.Harmon@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2882).

• Austin Water AULCC Reviews: Consultations with Austin Water AULCC review team may be conducted virtually using existing email and video conferencing alternatives as necessary. For additional information, contact Utility Coordination and Real Estate Supervisor Eric Sermeno (Eric.Sermeno@austintexas.gov or 512-972-0497).

• As-Built Records: Records requests should be submitted electronically to Austin Water Infrastructure Records group using AWRecords@austintexas.gov. Any additional questions should be directed to Tony Rodriguez (Tony.Rodriguez@austintexas.gov or 512-972-0277).

• Taps Permitting Office: Consultations with Austin Water Taps Permitting Office will be conducted electronically using existing email, phone and video conferencing alternatives. Staff are available via phone at 512-972-0000. If calling, select Option 5 for service plan verification forms, tap permit applications, and tap locations or Option 4 for truck/hydrant meter applications.

• Residential Tap Permit applications and payments may be submitted through the Austin Build + Connect website.

• Commercial Tap Permit applications may be submitted via email to AWTaps@austintexas.gov.

• Water/Wastewater Service Plan Verification forms may be submitted via email to AWTaps@austintexas.gov.

• Requests for tap locations may be sent to AWTaps@austintexas.gov.

• Payments can be made by phone by calling 512-972-0009.

• Other requests for information or needs may be sent to AWTaps@austintexas.gov.

• Water Conservation Customer Services: Staff continue to be available by phone or email to provide water conservation related customer services or answer questions. Some services may experience delays due to public health efforts to limit face-to-face interactions. Water leaks or water waste concerns can be reported online at report a leak or by dialing 311.

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt confirmed Monday that, despite her official resignation, she will not be stepping down anytime soon. During a press call about the shelter-in-place order that will be officially announced today, Eckhardt said she could not have foreseen the events that have transpired since she stepped down March 10 to run for the Texas Senate. She explained that she had spoken with her presumptive replacement, former/current County Judge Sam Biscoe. “He very graciously said, I will hold off on swearing in so you can continue in as a holdover during this crisis,” said Eckhardt. More on this topic is expected at today’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court. As a result of the organizational reshuffling that has taken place in recent weeks to accommodate increasingly stringent regulations on public activity, Gov. Greg Abbott has postponed the special election for state Sen. Kirk Watson’s seat. The election is currently scheduled for July 14.

The offices of District 6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan and Texas state Rep. John Bucy are partnering with Hill Country Community Ministries on an initiative to provide assistance to seniors over 60 and disabled people of any age in House District 136 “who are homebound or otherwise have urgent food access needs in light of the coronavirus pandemic.” The HD 136 Neighbor to Neighbor Seniors Food & Wellness Program is now seeking volunteers to help with outreach, food packaging or delivery, or to donate supplies. Find out more about volunteering here. Sign up for emergency food assistance here.

Even in the shadow of a shelter-in-place order and encouragement from municipal government to work from home, the Travis County Commissioners Court will still hold its session on March 24. As usual, the meeting will be aired on public access channel 17 but this week, all participants will be virtual with the exception of County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, who will preside over the meeting in the Commissioners Courtroom on Lavaca Street. The Texas Open Meetings Act requires the presiding officer of the governmental body to be physically present at a meeting held by videoconference call. There will also be a live online stream to access the meeting. Though the meeting will begin at 9 a.m., commissioners will not take general public comment. All public comments at the March 24 meeting must pertain to an item on the agenda, Travis County Public Information Officer Hector Nieto told the Austin Monitor. General citizen communication, he said, is an optional agenda item. Citizens who would like to sign up for an agenda item will need to do so by dialing in on the phone and waiting in the telephonic queue. To speak on an agenda item, individuals should call (866) 393-8749 and enter the following meeting ID: 149-100-895. “As we continue to adjust our daily lives for COVID-19, it is imperative we also adjust your local government,” said Nieto in a release. He told the Monitor, “We will continue to do it this way until further notice.”