Senate Votes to Reform School Accountability Standards

Senator Nelson joined her colleagues in the Senate who unanimously approved SB 3, reforming accountability standards for our public schools. This bill aim to reduce the role of standardized tests, give schools more flexibility to help struggling students and focus education on readying students for college or the workplace. "We need to allow local school districts to focus on teaching students -- not just tests. We also need to empower districts to create specialized curriculum to help their students prepare for the work force needs their community," Senator Nelson said. The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.

Senator Nelson Seeks to Help Cities Maximize Drilling Income

The Texas Senate has approved SB 894 by Senator Nelson to expand investment opportunities for cities in the Barnett Shale region. Specifically, it makes non-tax revenue derived from natural gas wells and mineral leases subject to the Texas Trust Code, which allows more flexible investing, rather than the more restrictive Texas Public Funds Investment Act. "In the Barnett Shale region, many cities are receiving royalties, leases, permit fees and other non-tax revenue in exchange for drilling rights," Senator Nelson said. "These are short-term windfalls that cities would like to invest in long-term strategies that are currently prohibited under the Texas Public Funds Investment Act." The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.

First Bill by Senator Nelson Sent to Governor's Desk

The Texas House of Representatives approved SB 346 by Senator Nelson, enhancing the state's ability to maintain immunization records. This is Senator Nelson's first bill of the session to be sent to the governor's desk. It allows children with immunization records in ImmTrac, the state's vaccination database, to extend the storage of those records beyond their 18th birthday. "These records are frequently needed as young people enter college, the military, study-abroad programs and the work force," Senator Nelson said. "It feels good to have our first bill through the legislative gauntlet." Texas ranks 22nd among states with the highest vaccination rates.

Senate Approves Retention of Toll Revenue for Transportation

Under a proposed constitutional amendment co-authored by Senator Nelson, state budget writers would be precluded from using toll revenue for any purpose other than transportation. SJR 25, approved by the Texas Senate, proposes a constitutional amendment to require revenue collected from toll roads be used only for the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of transportation projects. "If regions decide to generate revenue through tolling, we need to make sure that the state government does not collect those funds for purposes other than transportation," Senator Nelson said.

Senate Education Committee Hears Bill on Grading Policies

Having taught the sixth grade in Tarrant County public schools, Senator Nelson passionately supports the ability of teachers to manage their own classrooms. Last year, she was surprised to learn that several school districts around Texas have implemented "minimum grade" policies, which would prevent teachers from giving students a grade below 50, 60 or, in some cases, 70 percent. "A student's work should always be based on merit. These policies reward failure, harm the education of our children and undermine the professional authority of our teachers," she said. The Senate Education Committee this week heard testimony on SB 2033 by Senator Nelson, prohibiting such policies.

TxDOT Seeking Young Texans

Since the 1950s, the Texas Department of Transportation has had a summer hire program. Approximately 47,837 students have spent their summers working for the department, gaining on-the-job experience helping students establish career credentials while enhancing their professional growth. Click here to obtain an application.

Conference in Grapevine Focuses on Workforce Challenges

Organized by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Business Conference is intended to help guide business owners on issues such as personnel policies, legal exposure, wage laws, taxes, unemployment insurance and workers compensation. The conference is scheduled for April 24, 2009, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Hotel in Grapevine.

Minors at Strip Clubs Prohibited Under Bill Aprroved by Senate

In response to a case in Dallas of a 12-year-old girl employed to dance nude at a strip club, Senator Nelson filed four bills designed to strengthen oversight. "It is never OK for a child to be employed in a strip club. It's exploitation and it's unacceptable," she said. Two bills -- SB 707, requiring sexually oriented businesses to maintain age verification records, and SB 709, allowing child exploitation to be considered a "public nuisance" by municipalities -- were approved by the Senate this week. SB 708, allowing the Attorney General to issue an injunction on the first offense, and SB 710, employing minors in sexually oriented business, are pending in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

Texas Improves Rates of Immunized Children

The Texas Department of State Health Services has announced that the state's rate of immunized children increased by 13.5 percent from 2004 to 2008, based on the National Immunization Survey. "While still respecting the rights of parents to decide whether to immunize, this is an area where Texas ranks among the states that are doing the best job to expand access to immunizations for children," she said. Texas ranks 22nd in the nation.

Foster Care Reforms Approved in Texas Senate

The Texas Senate today approved SB 69 by Senator Nelson to improve support of foster families and help foster children better transition into adulthood. A Senate panel also approved SB 493, expanding the tuition exemption from age 21 to 25 for foster children. "Our foster children are becoming homeless as they age out of system in alarming numbers. We need to provide better support to these children to give them the best possible chance to lead successful, responsible and fulfilling lives," Senator Nelson said.

Lone Star State Still Best Place for Business

For the fourth consecutive year the state of Texas has been chosen as the best place for business, according to Chief Executive magazine's "2009 Best and Worst States" survey. Proximity to resources, regulation and tax policies, education, quality of living and infrastructure were part of the criteria used to determine state rankings. "In these tough economic times we should be proud that Texas continues to lead the way in promoting a business friendly environment," Senator Nelson said. "As a small business owner, I am proud to live in a state that continues to value the free market."

Panel Approves Insurance Pool to Expand Coverage for Children

The Senate Committee on State Affairs unanimously approved legislation by Senator Nelson to establish a private health insurance pool for children in the child support system. Federal law requires parents in the child support system to provide health coverage for their children. If no coverage is available to either parent, a judge typically orders the non-custodial parent to pay cash medical support to the custodial parent. Unfortunately, that does not usually lead to full health coverage. SB 66, which has no cost to taxpayers, allows judges to re-direct those dollars into the health pool to cover the child. "By re-directing 'cash medical support' dollars into this health pool, we will continue to connect more Texas children to the medical care they need."