Just got this email from Ron:

Based on information we have received, CenterPoint is estimating most of Lake Jackson and surrounding areas (over 95%) will have electricity restored by Monday. Therefore beginning Monday, 9/29, we will stop serving daily meals, snacks, and drinks to employees at our affected branches. However, until every employee has electrical power, we will do the following: Meal Allowance

• An employee without electricity at their residence will be paid $15.00 per day meal allowance.

Temporary Housing

• As long as there is a need, we will continue to coordinate the temporary living quarters (motel room or RV).

The Greater Angleton Chamber of Commerce has forwarded a message from the Texas Association of Business:

Employers affected by Hurricane Ike: To report temporary layoffs due to Hurricane Ike, please call the Texas Workforce Commission at 1-866-367-1332 or email hurricaneike@twc.state.tx.us. TWC representatives on this special employer hotline will expedite unemployment claims for you and your employees. Disaster-related unemployment benefits are available to the self-employed.

The effects of Ike are lingering and widespread - and we know it's hit our members in the wallet.  For TDECU members, if you need to use skip-a-pay on your loans with us, please contact us.  More details on the offer are on our website.

The United Way of Brazoria County has uploaded a PDF to their website complete with resources, information, and referrals for Hurricane Ike in Brazoria County.

Definitely worth the download if you're in Brazoria County.

We just got this important email from State Representative Dennis Bonnen:

Given that Brazoria County has been officially declared a disaster area, citizens and businesses should be informed of tax exemptions and extensions available to them to avoid unnecessary expenses.

The IRS has announced that Texas taxpayers residing in disaster counties may postpone tax filing and payments until January 5, 2009.  This will allow extra time for people to stay focused on the rebuilding and cleanup effort.  The IRS computer system automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies automatic filing and payment relief.  If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, they should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply.  The IRS disaster hotline is (866) 562-5227.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs also announced that state law allows for certain sales tax exemptions in the wake of a disaster.  Additionally, businesses damaged by Hurricane Ike may postpone paying state taxes, if necessary, while they clean up wind and flood damage.  Upon request, taxpayers may be granted an extension of up to 90 days to file state tax returns due in September and October.

To that end, I wanted to make you aware of the Texas Comptroller's Hurricane Ike Information Website at www.window.state.tx.us/disaster.  Questions about paying tax on storm recovery services, as well as business requests for a filing extension, should be directed to the Comptroller's office at (800) 252-5555.  Extension requests can also be emailed to tax.help@cpa.state.tx.us.

This website contains a wealth of information; however, below is a summary of some of the storm recovery-related expenses that may be exempt from state and local sales tax.

• The cost of labor to repair storm damage to non-residential property, including offices, stores, and other commercial buildings.  The cost of labor must be separately stated on the repair bill.
• Texas never imposes sales tax on labor for residential repairs.
• Services used to restore storm-damaged property, including dry cleaning of clothing and draperies; rug and carpet cleaning; furniture cleaning; and appliance repairs.
• Charges for cutting storm-damaged or downed trees.  Charges to haul away trees and limbs are taxable, as are charges to haul away other storm debris.
• Certain charges related to mold remediation.
• Purchases made with vouchers or debit cards provided by FEMA, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.  Storm-related purchases made with cash donations or personal funds are subject to sales tax.
• For evacuees taking shelter in hotels and motels, the Governor has waived state and local hotel taxes for a 14-day period that began September 8.  Storm victims who remain in a hotel for 30 days or more may claim an exemption for their entire stay.

My office remains committed to assisting the citizens of Brazoria County through this disaster.  We can be contacted at 979-848-1770 or 512-463-0564.

Just got this update from Scott - our extended hours for this weekend (9/19, 9/20) are: Brazoria

• Saturday – normal hours
• Sunday – open 1pm to 5pm (full service)

Angleton

• Saturday – Drive thru open until 6pm
• Sunday – closed

Houston

• Saturday – open until 3pm (full service)
• Sunday – closed

Lake Jackson

• Saturday – open until 5pm (full service)
• Sunday – open 1pm to 5pm (full service)

Texas City

• Saturday – closed
• Sunday – closed

La Porte

• Saturday – closed
• Sunday – closed

Freeport

• Saturday – open until 5pm (full service)
• Sunday – closed

Angleton High School

• Saturday – closed
• Sunday – closed

The City of Lake Jackson website now lists the town curfew from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Update (9/19): The website is now reporting the curfew has been lifted completely.

Just got this message from CBISD (Columbia - Brazoria Independent School District):

CBISD classes will resume Friday, September 19, 2008

The following is part of a story on CNBC's website highlighting two new tools here at TDECU:

TDECU Provides Members with Financial Recovery Tools in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ike LAKE JACKSON, Texas, Sep 17, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As the damage left behind by Hurricane Ike is felt more with each passing day, TDECU has put into action several innovative services to help members who have suffered losses and whose budgets have been turned upside down.

The first is a universal Skip-A-Pay program, allowing members to skip a month or two on all of their loan payments to TDECU. Within the first day of the Skip-A-Pay program being announced on the TDECU Web site, more than 2,000 members took them up on the offer to defer their loans -- mortgage, car or unsecured.

TDECU is also offering members a special loan, the Recover, Repair, Replace and then Relax Loan to cover the costs of evacuation, displacement, or recovery for the repairing, replacement and rebuilding of their homes and lives. Through the terms of this loan, members will not have payments for the first 90 days.

Afterwards, repayment terms will be extended for up to 36-months. Members can apply for this loan, which will be offered for a limited time, by visiting their branch or calling TDECU.

Christina Todd, Assistant Principal at Angleton High School just sent us the following:

I just wanted to thank you very much for helping the citizens of Brazoria county with their financial needs during this time after Hurricane Ike.  I want to thank you for Tina Goe and her Angleton High School employees who opened the Angleton branch over the weekend and who work in the Angleton High School Branch when school is in session. Thank you for the opportunity to skip-a-payment on our loans, if needed.  My husband and I really appreciate what you and TDECU are doing for us.

Christina Todd, EdD; Assistant Principal, Angleton High School

Here is some important information from Texas New Mexico Power Company website - everyone should be aware of the potential scams that may happen during an emergency situation like this - “Restoring power to almost 60 percent of our customers this soon after Hurricane Ike is a great accomplishment for TNMP,” said Neal Walker, TNMP vice president of Texas operations. “Now, our crews face the most difficult phase of the restoration process, which entails tackling the damage done to equipment in the back yards and alleyways in the communities we serve. We ask that customers continue to be patient as we continue to work diligently to restore power in a safe and timely manner.” Walker asks customers not only to be patient, but also to work with TNMP to ensure that work is completed safely and efficiently. Here are some things customers can do to help facilitate the process and avoid any scams that might arise out of the situation in the Gulf Coast:

• Turn on Front Porch Lights: For customers without power, flipping front porch light outlets to the on position helps TNMP crews determine which streets have power and which streets may still be in need of repair.
• Let Crews Do Their Work: Outside of emergencies, please allow the TNMP and mutual assistance crews complete their critical work. If crews are in your neighborhood, they are there specifically to help make repairs and restore power to your home or business. Interrupting them makes the work take longer, so please let them do their job of restoring service as quickly as possible.
• Avoid Scams: Some TNMP customers have reported instances of receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be calling from TNMP. The caller promises to restore power more quickly to customers if they pay a fee by providing credit card information over the phone. Please be assured that TNMP does not fast track restoration by charging its customers, and that all customers will be restored as soon as possible. TNMP will never call customers asking for payment during the restoration process, and customers are urged to never give out credit card or other personal information over the telephone.
• Be Safe: In the days to come, TNMP customers will see many TNMP and other utility employees in their neighborhoods making repairs. If someone claiming to be a utility worker asks for permission to enter your home or business, please do not grant them access and call the police immediately. TNMP employees will never ask to enter your residence or business. On occasion, a TNMP employee may knock on doors to ensure that power has been restored, but they will not ask to come inside. Also, customers should be aware that TNMP employees will wear clothing with official TNMP insignias visible and drive vehicles with TNMP logos on the doors. Plus, all TNMP employees will carry official TNMP employee badges.

TNMP estimates that approximately 50,000 Gulf Coast customers remain without power – about 10,000 in Brazoria County and 40,000 in Galveston County. This estimate includes customers in Texas City, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood, Alvin, La Marque, Angleton, Sweeny, West Columbia, Brazoria, Bailey’s Prairie, Hillcrest Village and Holiday Lakes. At this time, TNMP indicates that power has been restored to at least some parts of every community it serves. -- from Steph, SVP Diversified Services