Happy Thanksgiving!

There are many important issues facing our state, but this week is a time to pause from our busy lives and acknowledge our blessings. Please know that I am grateful for your support and friendship over the years. Mike and I and our family wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

-Senator Jane Nelson

Senator Nelson: School District Grading Policy Lawsuit "Misguided"

Senator Nelson has strongly condemned the filing of a lawsuit attempting to block the implementation of legislation she filed to end "no-fail" grading policies in Texas public schools. The lawsuit, filed Nov. 18 by several Houston area school districts against the Texas Education Agency, challenges the provisions of SB 2033 by Senator Nelson, affirming the rights of teachers to assign merit-based grades. "It is sad to learn that school districts are willing to waste precious education resources on a misguided lawsuit to continue policies that force teachers to assign fraudulent grades. These policies undermine the authority of our teachers and reward minimum effort from students," she said.

Governor Cites Senator's Work On Veterans' Mental Health

Governor Rick Perry highlighted Senator Nelson's legislation to create a peer-to-peer counseling program for veterans at a Nov. 9 press conference. "Veterans struggling with the psychological wounds of war are more likely to seek assistance if that support comes from another veteran,” Senator Nelson said. “Our legislation sets up a framework for former military personnel to volunteer their time to help ease the burden of those facing emotional challenges. We have outstanding, service-minded veterans in Texas who, with the right training, can make a positive impact in the lives of their peers and help them readjust."

Senator Signs 'Friend of Court' Brief In Gun Rights Case Before Supreme Court

Joining legislators from all 50 states, Senator Nelson signed on to a "friend of the court" brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Chicago 's handgun ban and gun registration regulations as an unconstitutional violation of the Second Amendment. The issue in the case, McDonald v. City of Chicago , is whether the right to keep and bear arms extends to the states through the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court in 2008 struck down a similar ban in the District of Columbia. "The Constitution clearly grants every citizen the right to defend ourselves, and this is an attack on the Second Amendment rights of every American -- not just the residents of one city," Senator Nelson said.

Texas Economy Continues Garnering National Attention

National publications continue to note the strength of the Texas economy during the downturn. Forbes included all four major Texas metropolitan areas in the "Top 10 Recession-Proof cities to Retire In." Moody's Economy named seven Texas metro areas in their list of the first cities to emerge from recession, and the Brookings Institute listed six Texas cities in its Top 20 Metro Areas. National Review recently credited Texas small government and low tax environment with attracting jobs and companies from around the nation. The Lone Star State is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state in the nation and is the nation's top exporting state. "Texas has been faring better than most other states in this tough national economy," said Senator Nelson. "Our hard work in economic development, combined with our low tax burden and low cost of living, have enabled us to weather the storm better than many other states."

Half-dozen Districts Sue Over Texas Law Prohibiting Minimum Grades