The Corpus Christi driver’s license office at 3506 Twin River Blvd. was one of 11 offices in the state where officials reduced the number of hours open to the public. A backlash from elected state officials caused a reversal and return to normal hours just eight days later. Photo by Suzanne Freeman
Hours at a Texas Department of Public Safety driver’s license office in Corpus Christi have been extended again, only days after they were initially shortened to save on overtime costs. The change affected 11 different offices statewide and were reversed at all 11 due to protests from elected state officials, who said they were not notified of the changes until after the May 31 close of the 85th legislative session.
The reduced hours began June 5 as a savings measure after the legislature slashed $7 million out of the the department’s statewide budget for next year. This year, the DPS faces a $14 million shortfall. DPS officials said they would look for alternative cost-savings options.
Hours at the Corpus Christi office, 3506 Twin River Blvd., are again 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. They had been cut to 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday.
Along with Corpus Christi, four offices in the Houston area and four in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were affected. Also on that list were offices in Amarillo and El Paso. These 11 are considered among the busiest driver’s license offices in the state.
DPS released a statement June 13 explaining the cutback and subsequent reversal.
"The office hours were changed on June 5 to mirror the standard hours at 189 (driver’s license) offices around the state to control increasing overtime costs and assist with employee retention," reads the statement. "The decision to resume extended hours came after discussion with state leaders and state legislators. The Driver’s License Division will explore other options and efficiencies in order to keep the extended-hour schedule in place."
