Senator Nelson Files SCR 77 to Approve State School Settlement

State Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, today filed SCR 77, a concurrent resolution providing legislative approval for the settlement with the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding abuse and neglect in our state schools for Texans with developmental disabilities.
"This settlement gives us a fresh start in our effort to protect and care for residents in our state schools. The new benchmarks established under this agreement are things we should be doing already. I welcome the idea of having outside monitors inspect our facilities to ensure that residents are being treated compassionately," Senator Nelson said. "I have invited all members of the Senate to attend our joint briefing tomorrow because it is vital that we all understand the terms of this settlement. Ideally, we would have more time to digest the information, but because we have such a compressed timeline, we need to move quickly."

The Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and the House Committee on Human Services will hold a joint public hearing at 8 am Friday, May 22, 2009 in the House Appropriations Hearing Room (E1.030). The hearing will include testimony about the settlement terms from the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and the Department of Family and Protective Services. SCR 77 will be considered, along with an HCR by Representative Patrick Rose, Chair of the House Committee on Human Services.
The agreement, which brings resolution to the DOJ investigation of state schools that began in 2005, includes independent monitors to inspect our state schools. It sets new standards for the level of medical and psychological care residents should receive, enhanced oversight to detect and deter exploitation and clear guidelines for employees designed to reduce the residents' risk of harm. The settlement will be filed in a U.S. District Court in Travis County to ensure compliance.

Senator Nelson also authored SB 643, the emergency state school reform bill, which has passed both chambers of the Legislature. SB 643 establishes an Office of Independent Ombudsman to audit state schools biannually and serve as a confidential intermediary for parents, clients and guardians. It creates a toll-free hotline to report abuse; requires video camera surveillance in common areas; and requires DADS to perform FBI and DPS fingerprint background checks of employees.

Senator Nelson Joins Top Officials To Update Public on Swine Flu

Senator Nelson, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Committee, joined the state's top leaders at a press conference yesterday to update the public about Texas' efforts to mitigate the swine influenza. "Texas has the nation's most highly developed and highly tested emergency response plans in place to deal with public health emergencies," Senator Nelson said.

Any citizen with questions about swine influenza should contact the state's hot line at 1-888-777-5320. The physician hotline number is 877-623-6274. For the latest information about the public health threat, visit the Department of State Health Services online at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu/default.shtm.

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.