Representative Lizzie Fletcher

Dear Neighbor,

At we come to the end of Holy Week, I am thinking of all who are celebrating today—Easter, the conclusion of Passover, and the beauty of this season of renewal.

Like many of you, I spend this beautiful week in Houston for a “district work week,” and here are some of the highlights.

I spent the week visiting with constituents about all kinds of matters. I was glad to join Jersey Village Mayor Andrew Mitcham and members of the Jersey Village City Council celebrate the groundbreaking of the much-needed berm and Wall Street flood mitigation project. The groundbreaking highlighted what we can achieve for our district by working together. Jersey Village first applied for federal support for this project in 2018, but when FEMA asked for a second review, potentially adding further delays to this important flood control project, I was glad to step in and work with both FEMA and the city to move to project forward and secure the $4 million in federal funds needed.

Jersey Village Berm and Wall St Groundbreaking

I was also glad to visit with Jersey Village High School students who are participating in SIFMA’s Capitol Hill Challenge 2021, a national competition simulating the stock market. These students are learning about the markets, economy, and financial literacy, and I wish them luck for the rest of the competition!

I had virtual meetings with people across our community, including small business owners, the Houston Organization of Public Employees, and the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. I also met with representatives for ERCOT to discuss matters relating to the Winter Storm.

On Thursday, I spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute’s EnergyInnovates series to discuss innovative technologies that were included in the Energy Act of 2020, and Houston’s leading role in in energy innovation and technology.

Although we were not in Washington this week, I stayed connected on issues and legislation. I participated in bipartisan telephone briefings with the White House on the American Jobs Plan on the situation on the Border. These are important topics here in our community, and I look forward to working to ensure our district’s priorities are included.

Also this week, President Biden signed the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act, a bill I was proud to co-sponsor. Businesses can now apply for PPP loans through May 31. My office has compiled this resource guide for small business owners, and we are always here to answer questions.

I also singed on as a sponsor of H.R. 144, the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act, to establish a two-year pilot program to award grants to highly qualified early-career investigators for independent research at institutions of higher education, as well as a letter asking the Biden Administration to address the backlog at the National Personnel Records Center, which is preventing veterans from accessing benefits.

I also sent a letter to FEMA this week requesting that FEMA extend federal support for the Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at NRG Park until May 31, 2021, in support of the requests from the City of Houston and Harris County. The CVC represents our commitment to working together at all levels of government to ensure people in our community are vaccinated and to help end the pandemic.

Currently, the COVID-19 positivity rate is at 8.8 percent and Harris County’s COVID-19 threat level remains red. This lower rate is good news, but experts are warning that declining infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths from the coronavirus have masked an increase in more contagious forms of the coronavirus. As of March 13, the B.1.1.7 variant accounted for about 27 percent of new cases nationwide, up from just 1 percent in early February. We must remember to stay vigilant, mask up, and social distance as much as we can in an effort to protect ourselves and those around us.

As a reminder, all adults in Texas are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Texas will receive a record 2.5 million vaccines this week. For those seeking a COVID-19 vaccine, my office has put together a one-page document with helpful information and resources below. For a printable version, click here.

Please remember that many people are still waiting for their opportunity to get their shots, and it is important to continue to wear your mask and do all you can to stop the spread, even if you have already been vaccinated.

And don’t forget: Harris County Public Health provides free testing across the community:

At the end of this busy week, I was heartbroken to learn that U.S. Capitol Police Officer William Evans died in the line of duty and Friday responding to an attack at the Capitol. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones today, and with the entire U.S. Capitol Police force. The Capitol Police officers have worked tirelessly under difficult conditions since the attack on January 6. I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that safety and security of the Capitol, the many people who work there every day, including our district staff, and all who visit it. We must do all we can to protect the Capitol and what it symbolizes.

As always, please do not hesitate to call on me and my team if there is anything we can do to help you or if there is anything you want me to know. You can email here or call (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 at any time.

Best wishes,