T E X A S S E N A T O R JANE

NELSONCAPITOL UPDATE FALL 2020

P.O. BOX 12068 Committees: CAPITOL BUILDING AUSTIN, 78711 FINANCE, CHAIR 512/463-0112 TRANSITION LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT FAX: 512/463-0923 COMMITTEE, CO-CHAIR STATE AFFAIRS DISTRICT OFFICE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD 1225 S. MAIN STREET, SUITE 100 LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE GRAPEVINE, TEXAS 76051 PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY COMMITTEE 817/424-3446 The Senate of the State of Texas FAX: 817/488-6648 E-MAIL: [email protected] Senate District 12 Dear Friends,

A good leader is a good listener. Enclosed is both an overview of what our state government is doing for Texas families and seniors; and a mail-back issue questionnaire. I look forward to hearing from you.

When my last legislative update was issued, we had just wrapped up a legislative session that included historic investments in education, property tax relief, mental health, as well as state highway and road infrastructure. Our state economy was soaring amid an unprecedented 117 months of employment growth. People were flocking in droves for the jobs and opportunities we have here in Texas.

Little did we know that a virus that started in China would make its way to our country and turn everything upside down. Today, our federal, state, county and local governments are all hands on deck confronting COVID-19, helping families protect their lives and livelihoods.

As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I am making sure that Texas has what it needs to respond to the pandemic. This includes testing, lab equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, virtual learning technology for our schools and colleges, as well as disinfectant services for retirement centers, nursing homes, state living centers, hospitals and other facilities with fragile populations. We are also providing unemployment and food assistance for those who have lost their jobs. Most importantly, we strongly support our healthcare providers, first responders, grocers, teachers, and other front-line workers.

As a parent, grandparent, former pubic school teacher and small business owner— I recognize the devastating toll this virus is taking on our families and local jobs. Every day, I am listening to parents, school children, teachers, essential workers, business owners, seniors, first responders, local government officials and others to protect our health, get our children safely back in school and to restart our economy.

I hope you find this newsletter informative. I look forward to reading your responses on the enclosed mail-back survey. My State Senate office is here to help.

I am amazed by how Texans have come together in this time of need. Together we will get through this. We are Texans.

Very truly yours,

Senator Jane Nelson Interim Insights - Preparing For The 2021 Session

CONFRONTING COVID-19 Women’s prenatal and postnatal health AND RE-OPENING TEXAS “ In Texas, we services are also one of my top priorities. recognized long ago We funded women’s health at an all-time My staff and I have been working day that, left unaddressed, high, $347 million, for the biennium. and night to help Texans get through the mental health coronavirus pandemic. Since early February, conditions present themselves in our The Cancer Prevention and Research we have been involved in discussions with jails and hospitals — Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has made leaders at the city, county, state and national the most costly and several breakthroughs and attracted a Nobel level to ensure Texas is equipped to combat often least effective laureate, as well as other distinguished the virus and safely get Texans back to work. ways to treat them. Our Texas approach scientists, to our state. I authored the centers around four original legislation that created the Institute Having experience as both a former public key pillars: treatment in 2007 and sponsored Proposition 6 last school teacher and small business owner, before tragedy; maximize resources; session to continue the Institute, which I recognize the economic struggles our improve coordination; Texas voters overwhelmingly approved in families and businesses are facing. I also and reduce stigma November 2019. Since its inception, more recognize the unique struggles on our through education. ” than five million cancer prevention services seniors and children. Senator Nelson speaking as a panelist at the White have been made available in all 254 Texas House Summit on Mental Health. counties. As Chair of the State Senate Finance Committee I am committed to ensuring our to communities throughout Texas. It is Winning the battle against the coronavirus state agencies have sufficient resources to estimated Texas will receive nearly $22 pandemic is our state’s top healthcare address our essential needs. Texans never billion through 70 federal funding streams priority. Texas has seen hot spots in child back down from a challenge, and I am to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. daycare centers, retirement living facilities, confident we will rebound and get the Lone nursing homes, and in essential workplaces. Star State back open for business. Expanding testing has been a key component Tens of thousands of tests have been of Texas’ public health strategy. Our state deployed to our correctional facilities, and Having operated a manufacturing company, conducts tens of thousands of tests a day all residents and staff in nursing homes I recognize the struggles our businesses are across hundreds of testing sites — with the and assisted living facilities including the facing — and how strongly they want to help service of over 3,300 National and State Denton State Supported Living Center. I am their employees and customers. This has not Guard members. committed to protecting our fragile Texans, been easy on individuals, families, or the and I am working with our local doctors Texas economy as a whole. I was appointed PPE is also a top priority. The Governor’s and hospitals on many fronts to ensure to the Senate Work Group on Economic Supply Chain Task Force continues to obtain that agencies have the resources needed to Impact & Budgeting to help assess spending shipments of PPE, including masks, face respond to COVID-19. related to the coronavirus and ensure Texas shields, gloves as well as gowns — and is is in the best position possible to reignite our distributing these supplies to our healthcare MENTAL HEALTH economy. workers and first responders. Working Since becoming Chair of the Senate Finance together, we are getting the job done in our We will make sure agencies have sufficient Committee, I have worked to ensure mental battle against this pandemic. resources, but we must safeguard the purse health spending is strategic, coordinated and strings to ensure we are meeting our needs, outcomes-focused. Texas is spending $8 Stay up to date on Texas’ fight against maximizing federal dollars and providing billion across 23 state agencies for mental COVID-19 by visiting www.dshs.texas.gov/ relief without creating new permanent health over the next two years. I even shared coronavirus. entitlements. Texans never back down from the state’s “no wrong door” approach at a a challenge, and I am confident we will White House summit on behavioral health HEALTH CARE IN TEXAS revive the Texas miracle and get the Lone during the interim. You can watch a replay Star State back open for business. Having served previously as Chair of of the White House Mental Health Summit the Senate Health and Human Services at www.c-span.org. As of early June, our state agencies and Committee, I am dedicated to improving departments have reported COVID-19 healthcare for all Texans. I authored I am proud to have helped Texas become the expenditures totaling $10 billion with and worked on several bills during the first state in the nation to provide health care a projected $20 billion price tag. The 2019 Legislative Session, including new advocacy services for veterans. I authored majority of these expenditures are to measures to help expectant mothers and to a grant program to support veterans and pay for unemployment claims through prevent hospitals and insurance companies their families — who are key to helping our the Texas Workforce Commission from sending surprise medical bills when veterans overcome depression, substance and to provide testing supplies and medical services are provided by out-of- abuse or post-traumatic stress. My Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) network healthcare providers. legislation also created a peer counseling

Kicking off “On Your Sleeves,” a children’s mental health campaign, at Vickery Elementary in Flower Senator Nelson visits regularly with local doctors, nurses, and hospitals to ensure our healthcare system is Mound, with the Harlem Globetrotters, Thirty One meeting patient needs. Gifts and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 2 Interim Insights - Preparing For The 2021 Session

I also authored SB 72, establishing the Hu- man Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council. The Council is tasked with de- veloping a five year plan that ensures state agencies are working strategically and effi- ciently to eradicate this criminal enterprise.

Phase I of that process involves assessing the current programs and services, data on the effectiveness of different strategies, identifying potential gaps or redundancies in our current tactics, and assembling financial data. Phase I was recently released by the Council and can be found at the Texas Attorney General’s website. Senator Nelson meets with local law enforcement Senator Nelson reading to a local elementary class. officers.

program, because veterans open up more to Thanks to funding I secured in the state reforming our justice system and to ensure other veterans, and I have pledged to pursue budget, the state is reducing the backlog of all Americans receives equal treatment similar programs for our police officers. sexual assault cases. The Texas Department under the law. of Public Safety reports a total of 2,246 This last session, I spearheaded and passed backlogged sexual assault kits, down more I have written budgets that include funding legislation, SB 11, which created the Texas than 1,000 from October 2019. for body cameras, surveillance equipment Child Mental Health Care Consortium to for our jails and juvenile facilities, education promote early mental health intervention PUBLIC EDUCATION materials about appropriate use of force for children at risk of substance abuse or As a former public school teacher and the for law enforcement, and jail diversion becoming a danger to themselves or others. Senate’s chief budget writer, I am working programs that offer low-level offenders to maintain the historic investments in treatment as an alternative to incarceration. A crucial step in this effort involves the new education that were approved last session Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN), – a $6.5 billion package that funded pay I have also supported bills aimed at reducing which offers consultation and training to raises for teachers, increased the Basic racial profiling and providing greater pediatricians and primary care physicians so Allotment from $5,140 to $6,160 per transparency in our police departments. they can work directly with parents and be student, reduced reliance on “Robin Hood” the center of care for their adolescent patients recapture payments, supported special PROPERTY TAX REFORM with mental health needs. This network education, incentivized third grade reading After leading the fight in the Legislature last launched this summer and continues to and other outcomes. session to provide $5 billion in property tax promote the service to medical providers. relief and reforms, I also addressed the need With the coronavirus impacting the economy for property tax appraisal reforms. Having In addition, the Consortium is working and state budgets across the country, several sponsored legislation to significantly reduce hard to get another effort off the ground: states are reducing education spending. franchise and property taxes over the years, the Texas Child Health Access Through Texas held districts harmless for daily I believe local appraisals are oftentimes Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, attendance requirements, and districts unfair. We must continue our efforts to make which will partner with school districts to received their full funding entitlement. the appraisal process more transparent and improve access to mental health services. In addition, the state made hundreds of accountable to taxpayers. With the extra stress Texas children may be millions in federal funding available to help experiencing during the coronavirus, these cover their COVID costs, and plans are in Acting in response to testimony shared at programs could not have arrived at a time motion for additional funding to deploy a Senate Finance Committee hearing in with greater demand. virtual education technology that will help February, I asked our local appraisal districts students with remote learning the upcoming to investigate the reasons for significant PROTECTING CRIME VICTIMS school year. increases, which seem out of line with There are more than 200,000 victims of market conditions. labor trafficking and nearly 80,000 victims CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM of youth and minor sex trafficking in Like most Americans, I am a strong HAVE LEGISLATIVE Texas. I am dedicated to ending this form supporter of our local law enforcement but IDEAS? of modern-day slavery, and funded every have been deeply disturbed by cases where My staff and I are always here to agency exceptional item on this issue, a $60 officers use excessive force. Every death is listen. Please send your ideas to million investment. a tragic reminder of the need to continue [email protected]

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Senator Nelson is a businesswoman and former teacher who was elected to the following two terms on the Texas State Board of Education. She currently serves on five legislative committees that oversee the budget and other state issues: • Finance Committee, Chair • Texas Privacy Protection Advisory Council, Co-Chair • HHS Transition Legislative Oversight, Co- Chair • State Affairs • Mass Violence Prevention & Community Governor Greg Abbott signs Senator Nelson’s anti-sexual assault bill (SB71) into law. SB 71 creates a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program to assist with prosecution of sexual predators. Safety 3 PLACE STAMP HERE

Senator Jane Nelson P.O. BOX 12068

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2068

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AWARDS & RECOGNITION & AWARDS Having served on the Senate Finance Finance Senate the on served Having

budget for the State of Texas. of State the for budget as long as suit follow will sales retail drop in collections compared to last year. last to compared collections in drop

resources as we write the next balanced balanced next the write we as resources Texas and climbing, are sales retail U.S. and June combined, saw a 9.7 percent percent 9.7 a saw combined, June and

Fund. I will be considering all available available all considering be will I Fund. stronger. gets confidence consumer as revenue for the state budget. April, May May April, budget. state the for revenue

estimated $9.35 billion in the Rainy Day Day Rainy the in billion $9.35 estimated and reopen businesses as declining now Sales tax serves as the largest source of of source largest the as serves tax Sales

in the Treasury last session with an an with session last Treasury the in is unemployment horizon: the on news

The Legislature left $2.89 billion unspent unspent billion $2.89 left Legislature The good is there however unemployment, economic engine. economic

pandemic hit, we saw record-high record-high saw we hit, pandemic production, a major contributor to Texas’ Texas’ to contributor major a production,

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stronger position than other states to to states other than position stronger months consecutive 117 with level high declines in sales tax revenue and and revenue tax sales in declines

fiscal restraint that put Texas in a much much a in Texas put that restraint fiscal extremely an at performing was economy The budget has suffered from steep steep from suffered has budget The

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expenditure that is continued or added to to added or continued is that expenditure pandemic at every level — from from — level every at pandemic

more businesses are able reopen safely. safely. reopen able are businesses more every and zero from start will I fall, this Budgets have been affected by this this by affected been have Budgets

Senator Nelson (R-Flower Mound) presiding over the Senate Finance Committee with vice chair, Sen. “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Sen. John Whitmire (D-). Whitmire John Sen. and (D-McAllen) Hinojosa “Chuy” Sen. chair, vice with Committee Finance Senate the over presiding Mound) (R-Flower Nelson Senator

U B date p udget District Survey

Aside from your concerns about the coronavirus, please rank the following state issues in order of importance to you and your family.

A. Public Education B. Illegal Immigration and Border Security C. Reducing Property Taxes D. Health Care and Health Insurance Costs E. Jobs and the Economy F. Crime and Drugs G. Traffic Mobility H. Race Relations and Police Reform I. Something else: ______

Please circle your response to the following questions:

1. Until a coronavirus vaccine is available, how should 7. Do you favor or oppose additional background decisions about wearing face masks be made? checks to purchase a fire arm? a. Mandated by the state a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided

b. Determined at the local level To mail questionnaire please cut along dotted line, fold, tape and place postage stamp. c. Individual choice 8. Do you favor or oppose allowing casino gambling in Texas to raise revenue for the state? 2. Do you favor or oppose the effort to defund the police? a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided 9. Do you favor or oppose allowing online sports 3. Do you agree or disagree that most police departments betting to raise revenue for the state? are in need of reform, training and better transparency in a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided the way they train and review officer conduct?

a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided 10. Do you favor or oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use? 4. What best describes your view on abortion? a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided

a. Allow abortions under all circumstances b. Allow abortions only in cases of rape, incest, or danger to 11. Do you favor or oppose building a wall along the -Mexico border? the mother c. Do not allow any abortions at all a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided

5. Should all confederate statues and memorials on public 12. Other issues important to you: property be removed? a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided

6. Do you favor or oppose the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms? a. Favor b. Oppose c. Undecided

TO MAIL QUESTIONNAIRE PLEASE CUT ALONG DOTTED LINE, FOLD, TAPE AND PLACE POSTAGE STAMP. Please return your completed survey, along with any additional comments, to State Senator Jane Nelson, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711. Or by email to: [email protected]

Name (s) ______

Address ______

City ______TX Zip ______

Primary Phone ______

Email: ______

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THE TEXAS SENATE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE OR DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES. OF PROVISION THE OR EMPLOYMENT IN DISABILITY OR AGE RELIGION, SEX, ORIGIN, NATIONAL COLOR, RACE, OF BASIS THE ON DISCRIMINATE NOT DOES AND EMPLOYER OPPORTUNITY EQUAL AN IS SENATE TEXAS THE

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N - T G S U mbers u free oll overnment tate l u sef

STATE SENATOR PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 2468 AUSTIN, TEXAS

CAPITOL UPDATE FALL 2020 P.O. BOX 12068

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711

grandchildren.

State Senator Jane Nelson and husband, Mike, with their children and and children their with Mike, husband, and Nelson Jane Senator State

[email protected] E-MAIL:

817/424-3446 • FAX: 817/488-6648 FAX: • 817/424-3446

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS 76051 TEXAS GRAPEVINE,

SUITE 100 SUITE

1225 S. MAIN STREET MAIN S. 1225

DISTRICT OFFICE OFFICE DISTRICT

512/463-0112 • FAX: 512/463-0923 FAX: • 512/463-0112

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 TEXAS AUSTIN,

CAPITOL BUILDING CAPITOL

P.O. BOX 12068 BOX P.O.

CAPITOL OFFICE OFFICE CAPITOL

FALL 2020 FALL

UPDATE

CAPITOL CAPITOL T E X A S S E N A T O R O T A N E S S A X E T