TexasCHLforum.com

Harris County CHL applicants...see my latest post today in the September Waiting Room thread...enlightening info!

-pdubyoo

Morgan wrote:The info packet you get says "do not contact us for 60 days" so yeah, if you're over the 60 days "processing time" I'd contact them. It's my intention to contact them on day 61 if my status doesn't change from "processing" to "complete and mailing" or whatever... assuming I haven't heard from them.

The fact that you are in the DFW area is definately on your side. There are a couple of guys in the "September" thread, from North Texas, that got their plastic in 55-65 days. Those of us in Harris County have fallen into the black hole. I'm pinging Austin a couple of times a week these days. I doubt it's doing any good, but it gives me something to do while I'm waiting.

Jasheeky wrote:"I am asking Major Stan Clark, Interim Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, for his staff’s assistance in reviewing and responding both to you and this office on the information shared."

is what my email said.

The letter I got was similar, but slightly different verbiage. I'm sure it's a boiler-plate response. Next is another call to Austin.

Jasheeky wrote:

pdubyoo wrote: Jasheeky, when you e-mailed the Gov's office, what exactly did you say that got things rolling that quick? Or is it just a coincidence?

I sure do wish I saved a copy of that email. Not in my sentbox because I used their online form to send the email.
I basically told them my time table starting from mid June, how I paid them, and that Ike was being used as an excuse. I also mentioned that was worried after the elections that things would change. I asked him to muscle dps/harris county around, because by law it should be issued within 60 days of submission, or at least a reason for denial.

of course my letter was more professional than the example above, as well as more patriotic.

I did send a letter to the Gov's office, just like you mentioned, through the state website, and pretty much said things along the same lines. I did get a response from Dede Keith (Constituent Communication Div) from the Gov's office today. I mentioned that DPS-Austin was waiting on DPS-Harris County for the BC. But I also mentioned that the contact at DPS-Austin told me that DPS-Harris County was notoriously slow, even before Ike. That seemed to have struck a cord, because the Gov's office has asked Major Stan Clark (Interim Director of DPS) to personally look into the matter and report back to the Gov's office. This was mentioned in the response I got from Dede Keith. I was told that I will be updated when the Gov's office gets their response.

I hope this has some positive effect on ALL Harris County applications that are being held-up due to the Ike excuse. Time will tell.

Jasheeky wrote:checking in, and hopefully out soon!

updated my time table in signature.

Jasheeky, when you e-mailed the Gov's office, what exactly did you say that got things rolling that quick? Or is it just a coincidence?

I contacted my state rep about the Harris County delay. They wanted to blame the whole problem on DPS and talked about how they would be addressing the staffing issue in appropriations. I told him that DPS isn't the problem in this case. Harris County is being opportunistic in blaming Ike for their own short-comings. Since my rep's district covers a part of Harris County, I asked them to please muscle some influence on the county. He said they would get back to me.

I also had a very nice conversation with Simone at DPS Austin. She said that things are slowly improving at DPS, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel without some additional staff. She said that the BC's from Harris County are just slowly trickling in, and that they have always been slow, even before Ike. Just 2 blocks north and I could have lived in Montgomery County! Simone said that everything else is in order and complete, and as soon as they receive my BC from Harris County, my license will be issued almost immediately.