Nelson: Following the 84th Texas Legislature as Budget Preparations Continue

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas This is your government and the Capitol.State.TX.US website makes it easy for you to watch hearings track legislation and keep up with all the actions being taken at the State Capitol said Senator Jane Nelson chairman of the Texas Senates Finance Committee. As the Texas Legislature reconvened for its 84th Regular Session on Tuesday lawmakers have already been filing bills since November. Already 833 bills have been introduced and thousands more are expected over the course of the session which lasts for 140 days in accordance with the Texas Constitution. Texans can follow all the actions taken by the Legislature at www.capitol.state.tx.us <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us> Budget Preparations Continue The Texas Constitution only requires one bill to be passed by the Legislature -- the state budget. Senator Nelson has been working to develop the appropriations bill since she was appointed Senate Finance Committee chair in July of last year. The base budget is traditionally filed soon after the Texas Comptroller certified the biennial revenue estimate which is expected to be announced on Monday. I am preparing a budget that will ensure continued economic success Nelson said. We will achieve tax relief strengthen border security prioritize education and meet our transportation needs. Critical Services Depend on Strong Contract Management Senator Nelson is speaking out about allegations of abuse in government contracting via an op-ed published earlier this week. Contract management has been a central focus of the Sunset review of the independent agencies that make up what is known as the health and human services enterprise. We owe it to the millions of people who depend on health and human services and those who support them with their hard-earned tax dollars to ensure that our programs are run efficiently effectively and with the highest degree of transparency Senator Nelson wrote. To read the full op-ed please click here <http://janenelson.org/newsroom/critical-services-depend-on-strong-contract-management> . Final Sunset Advisory Commission Hearing Next Week Next week Senator Nelson will chair the final meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission for this cycle. The Commission will consider the workgroup modification for the Department of Family and Protective Services and make decisions on the:

1. Texas Workforce Commission
2. Texas Workforce Investment Council
3. State Office of Administrative Hearings; and
4. the Texas Facilities Commission

Following the decisions the Commission will cast a critical vote to ratify all decisions made this cycle. To watch the hearing online please visit the Senates website <http://www.senate.state.tx.us/bin/live.php> .