Government: September to November 2005

Returning Rita Evacuees Can Call TxDOT Number for Road Conditions

Effort to Get Medical Personnel, Fuel into Impacted Areas Continues

By Rick Perry, Governor of Texas

September 27, 2005

HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the Texas Department of Transportation can provide coastal evacuees information on road conditions in Texas if they call a 1-800 number.

“As we begin the staggered return plan, Texans can find out the latest information on road conditions by dialing 1-800-452-9292,” Perry said. “Our effort remains focused on restocking impacted areas with fuel, food and water. We ask Texans to continue to be patient because of the sheer size of this re-supply effort.

Texas: More - Road Conditions

Attorney General Abbott Warns Against Exploiting Hurricane Rita Victims During Recovery Efforts

Investigators worked through weekend to avert exploitation of evacuees; will aggressively pursue price gouging, other unlawful acts targeting affected Texans

From the Office of Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas
September 27, 2005

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today warned about the continued threat of price gouging as his office received hundreds of reports over the weekend about businesses that tried to exploit displaced Texans who fled coastal areas in the wake of Hurricane Rita.

“In the coming days millions will go back to their homes and their lives. As they do so, I will not tolerate unscrupulous businesses and con men who prey upon those who have already faced a tremendous ordeal,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Unfortunately, price gouging and various types of scams often arise amid natural disasters, and my office will aggressively pursue those who engage in these activities.”

More than 500 complaints

More than 500 complaints alleging price gouging have been filed with the Attorney General since Wednesday, when the bulk of the evacuation began from the Texas Gulf Coast region. Consumers have been reporting inflated prices such as $199 per day for a rental car, $250 nightly motel stays, $30 for a case of bottled water, and $20 for a dozen eggs. The Office of the Attorney General is also investigating dozens of reports of gasoline allegedly priced between $5 and $15 a gallon.

Texas: More - Price Gouging

Evacuation Plan Map

Click on the map or the text link to go to a larger map - File size 161 kb. Then click on that map to return.
(The larger map takes extra time to load.)

This map and the larger map is a quick composite of Return Maps from Governor Perry's Office by Marilyn Clark. The file size of each of the original maps was a little over 2,000 kb.

(The Return Maps are Copyright 2005 - Texas Department of Transportation)

Gov. Perry Calls on Rita Evacuees to Follow Plan for Safe Return Home

By Rick Perry, Governor of Texas
September 24, 2005

AUSTIN, Sep. 24, 2005 – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that state and local leaders have developed a plan to stagger the return of more than 2.5 million Hurricane Rita evacuees over at least three days to ensure that the affected areas are safe, fuel supplies are adequate and traffic keeps moving.

“If you return today, we cannot guarantee enough fuel, we cannot guarantee safety along the roads because of debris and down power lines, and we cannot ensure a fast return,” Perry said.

The Governor called on all school districts in the affected areas to remain closed Monday to provide evacuees with adequate time for a safe and orderly return. Perry said the staggered plan also would provide emergency workers with enough time to assess damage and ensure that neighborhoods are safe.

“We do not yet have enough fuel along the return routes and in Houston to accommodate the return of everyone who evacuated,” Perry said. “If Texans will be patient and follow this plan, they will find their return trip to be easier and more efficient.”

Perry urged evacuees to follow this schedule to ensure a safe and orderly return to coastal communities:

Sunday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and north of I-10, including residents of Tomball, The Woodlands, Waller, Hockley, Katy, Brookshire and surrounding communities.

Monday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and south of I-10, including residents of Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugarland, Pearland and surrounding communities, plus all Houston residents inside Loop I-610. Monday

Tuesday: Residents may return to all remaining areas east of I-45 and north of I-10 up to the Liberty and Chamber county lines. Tuesday

State and local emergency officials continue to develop a plan for the safe return of evacuees to communities east of the Houston area that sustained the most damage from Hurricane Rita.

Earlier today, Perry asked fuel terminal owners and operators to begin refueling service stations as quickly as possible.

“We need to ensure there are adequate fuel supplies along the routes,” Perry said in a special announcement to fuel terminal operators. “If you will open your terminal throughout this weekend, we can begin refueling service stations along the major roadways.”

The Governor cautioned that evacuees should not begin returning to the affected areas ahead of the state schedule.

“I can’t say in strong enough terms to those who evacuated the coastal region that they should not begin their return for the time being,” Perry said. “We are not through assessing the damage and cannot assure you at this time that your community is safe to return to."

Texas: Larger Rita Return Plan Map
- A little extra time to load - file size 136k.

Statement from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

By Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

September 14, 2005

AUSTIN - "I am deeply troubled by today's decision in California declaring the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. The last time this issue was before the U.S. Supreme Court, Texas took the lead on behalf of all 50 States defending the Pledge as an entirely constitutional acknowledgment of God and our heritage. This decision is wrong, and I hope and expect it will be reversed on appeal."

Fraudulent Schemes Target Immigrants, Spanish Speakers

By Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

September 9, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas—As Attorney General, I am committed to fighting fraud against all Texas consumers, no matter what language they speak. I am particularly appalled by the increasing number of scam artists who prey on Spanish speakers and those who come to Texas in hopes of calling it home.

Government: More Hispanics Defrauded

(Houston Police Department Officer helps disabled at Astrodome - FEMA photo by Andrea Booher)

Texas to House Louisiana Refugees in Astrodome

Perry: "We are all in this together."

By Rick Perry, Governor of Texas

September 2, 2005

HOUSTON – At the urgent request of Louisiana Gov. Blanco, today Gov. Rick Perry agreed to receive 23,000 Hurricane victims currently taking shelter in the New Orleans Superdome at the Houston Astrodome, which Harris County officials agreed to turn into a long-term shelter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will dispatch 500 buses to Louisiana and transport the 23,000 people currently taking shelter in the Superdome. The state has also worked with Jefferson County officials to convert the Ford Center in Jefferson County into a long term shelter to house victims of Hurricane Katrina

“We are all in this together,” Perry said. “We will continue to do what it takes, from offering assistance to offering prayers, to get through this together, as one American Family.”

More Hurricane Katrina Relief - Astrodome

Attorney General Abbott’s Statement On Gasoline Prices

From the Office of Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

September 2, 2005

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today issues this statement on consumer complaints about gasoline prices at the pump:

“I understand Texas consumers are concerned about the rising cost of gasoline, however, with Hurricane Katrina, there has been a significant loss of production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico and refining capacity along the Gulf Coast. Prices will go up. Rest assured, my office will diligently watch for the incidence of price-gouging at particular gas stations that seem out of step with generally prevailing market forces.”

Consumers may report what they believe to be gas price-gouging by calling the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800)252-8011 or visit the agency’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Attorney General Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit Helps Nab Houston Sex Predator In Indonesia

Cyber Crimes Unit works with California, federal, Indonesian officials in arresting Jack Carter

From the Office of Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

September 2, 2005

AUSTIN–Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today applauded the arrest in Indonesia of a Houston man who fled after being indicted in 2004 for using the Internet to try to arrange sex with what he thought was a teenaged girl. Jack Davis Carter, 46, was arrested by Indonesian authorities in Jakarta after being located with help from the Attorney General’s Attorney General Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit Helps Nab Houston Sex Predator In Indonesia's Cyber Crimes Unit. Officials from California, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Marshals Service also cooperated in Carter’s arrest.

“Whether around the corner or across the globe, we will not stop until those who prey on children are arrested and brought to justice,” Attorney General Abbott said. “I want to express my appreciation to California, U.S. and Indonesian officials for their work in bringing this man to justice. This cooperative effort shows our shared commitment to make our communities safe for children.