SENATOR NELSON ANNOUNCES SHE WILL SEEK RE-ELECTION

GRAPEVINE -- Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, announced today that she will seek re-election in Senate District 12, which includes portions of Tarrant and Denton counties. The General Election is November 2, 2010.

"For Texas to overcome these economic challenges, state government must continue to live within our means and businesses must have the support and freedom needed to prosper and create jobs," Senator Nelson said. "The economy must remain our top priority as we press ahead on our regional goals of expanding the transportation system, improving education, increasing access to health care and meeting our obligations to children, seniors and other vulnerable Texans."

Senator Nelson's announcement comes on the heels of a legislative session in which she received 13 awards for her work, including being named the most fiscally conservative Senator by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and winning the "Fighter for Free Enterprise" Award from Texas Association of Business. She passed the second most bills of any legislator, including legislation to reform education, expand access to private health insurance, protect victims of domestic violence, assist our veterans, and protect Texans with disabilities in our State-Supported Living Centers.

"Aside from addressing our transportation, education and health service needs, one of my top goals next session will be to protect North Texas in the redistricting process. During the past decade we became the state's largest population center, and that needs to be reflected when the political maps are redrawn," Senator Nelson said.

A former public school teacher and businesswoman, Senator Nelson is Chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and serves on the powerful state budget-writing Senate Finance Committee. She and her husband, Mike, operate an aircraft component manufacturing company in Denton. They have five children and two grandsons.

District 12 encompasses all or part of 56 cities and 20 school districts in Denton and Tarrant counties. Senator Nelson was first elected to the Senate in 1992 and won re-election to a four year term in 2006 with the highest winning percentage of any incumbent State Senator in Texas with major party opposition. She also won by the highest winning percentage of any candidate with major party opposition -- state, local or federal -- on the ballot in Denton County.

Senator Nelson Recognizes the Meadows Foundation

The Meadows Foundation has been recognized for generous contributions to domestic violence agencies by Senator Jane Nelson on behalf of the Senate of the State of Texas. The Meadows Foundation has awarded a total of $364,000 since January in emergency grants to Texas domestic violence agencies, including $175,000 which will be used for the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline (the Hotline) based in Austin.

“This generous donation comes at a time when the demand for services is increasing and many donors are scaling back philanthropic giving because of the depressed economy,” said Sheryl Cates, CEO of the Hotline. “It is a tribute to this organization that it has recognized and responded to a call for help so that vulnerable families will have somewhere to turn. Reports of an increased need for domestic violence shelters are being heard from many communities in Texas. We are grateful for the support of The Meadows Foundation; this donation is an outstanding example of corporate responsibility toward our communities.”

Pictured from left are Gloria Terry, President of the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV), Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) and TCFV, Senator Jane Nelson, Bruce Esterline, Meadows Foundation Vice President for Grants and Cindy Patrick, Meadows Foundation Senior Program Officer.

Over the last five years, The Meadows Foundation has contributed approximately $3.1 million to 29 domestic violence service providers throughout Texas. “We recognize that domestic violence agencies are struggling this year to serve as many families as possible, even in the face of budget and staff reductions,” said Esterline. “Because of the great need, our foundation will continue to review requests for emergency funding throughout 2009.”

Senator Nelson on Excessive NTTA Fees

Senator Nelson interviewed on NTTA toll fees.

New Laws Impact Drivers

Drivers are banned from using hand-held cell phones in active school zones where signs are posted, one of several new laws that took effect Sept. 1. Teen drivers (under age 18) are prohibited from using a handheld or hands-free wireless communications device while driving. Booster seats are now required for children younger than 8, unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Fines for parking in handicapped parking spaces now range from $500 to $750. Golf cart owners no longer have to register and title their vehicles. To learn when golf carts can be driven on public roadways, visit http://www.dot.state.tx.us/news/042-2009.htm.

Government Meetings Now Live on Internet

Texans can now watch live streaming video of Public Utility Commission and State Board of Education meetings. The legislature passed two bills requiring those agencies to offer free video access to their sessions. "It's important for taxpayers to be able to follow public discussions on important issues such as utility fees and school curriculum," said Senator Nelson.

Nelson Named to Task Force On Special Needs Children

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst named Senator Nelson to the Task Force on Children with Special Needs. The panel will work with state agencies to develop a five-year plan to improve the coordination, quality and efficiency of services for those children

Authorities Prepare For H1N1

Information about what Texas and other states, as well as the federal government, are doing to prepare for possible H1N1 outbreaks this fall is available at http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=18061.