Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Senate Finance Committee chaired by Senator Nelson began looking into its interim charge relating to the franchise tax sales tax holiday & fiscal responsibility by holding its first hearing in Austin. Last session Senator Nelson sponsored legislation providing over $2.5 billion in business tax relief cutting the franchise tax by 25 and directing the Comptroller to study the budget impact of phasing out the tax altogether.
Texas has made tremendous strides in reducing the tax burden making the budget more transparent and strengthening the policies of fiscal discipline that have shaped our economic success. We must continue to look for ways to protect taxpayers and make sure that our citizens understand exactly how their money is being spent said Senator Nelson.
A link to the archived hearing can be found here: http://bit.ly/1Ywtm5T
Senator Nelson Recognized by Tax Foundation
Senator Nelson received the Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform Award from the non-partisan Tax Foundation in recognition of her work to promote smart tax policy.
By crafting a conservative budget we were able to stay true to the policies of fiscal discipline that are driving our economic success in Texas. For our work to be singled out by a national organization that studies tax policy across the country is a tremendous honor said Senator Nelson.
The Tax Foundation is considered a leading national independent tax policy research organization and also recognized winners in Indiana Nevada North Dakota and Utah. Working for better tax policy is not easy and although a small glass award hardly compares to the efforts the recipients put into what they helped achieve we believe that its important to do something to recognize their impressive achievements for the taxpayers of their states" Joseph Henchman Vice President of State Projects said.
Mental Health Budget Numbers Confirmed
Senator Jane Nelson began the March 30th Senate Finance Committee hearing by reporting newly confirmed data from the Legislative Budget Board and the Health and Human Services Commission on behavioral health spending in the state budget.
This number paints a very different picture than what was reported and further demonstrates the significant resources Texas has invested on mental health said Senator Nelson chair of the Senate Finance Committee. We have serious challenges to address but I want to make sure we have a true understanding of our commitment to mental health - by knowing not only how much we are spending but also how we are spending the funds.
HHSC Transition Plans Reviewed in Hearing
The Transition Legislative Oversight Committee (TLOC) co-chaired by Senator Nelson met to discuss recently released transition plans for the re-organization of Texas health and human services system.
This committee is charged with making sure we achieve the transformation envisioned by the Legislature. That means creating a system that improves coordination of care eliminates inefficiencies and makes it easier for our most vulnerable citizens to connect with the services they need said Senator Nelson. The transition plans discussed today provide a broad framework but there is much more work ahead make sure this re-organization is a success.
Members were briefed on the Health and Human Services Commission Transition Plan; the plan to transfer vocational rehabilitation services transfer from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services to the Texas Workforce Commission; and the effort to consolidate child abuse prevention services at the Department of Family and Protective Services. Public testimony was also taken during the hearing.
Senator Jane Gray Nelson Leadership Scholarship Awarded to Local Student
Senator Nelson awarded the first Jane Gray Nelson Leadership Scholarship to Lauren Wasson a local student during the annual scholarship banquet of the Republican Women of Greater North Texas.
When I learned about this scholarship I was truly humbled because I know it is going to make such a positive impact for Lauren -- and hopefully for many more young women over the years to come said Senator Nelson. This is a scholarship that helps young women achieve their dreams and I congratulate Lauren on being a young leader and representative for todays generation of young women.
Senator Nelson Receives Award from Mental Health America of Texas
Senator Jane Nelson was named the 2016 recipient of the Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt Award for Mental Health by Mental Health America of Texas during the organizations 53rd Annual Honoring Dinner in Austin.
I am proud of our efforts to help Texans struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. Left untreated mental health problems impact our jails burden our emergency rooms or result in tragedy Senator Nelson said. It is a great honor to be recognized by such a stalwart advocacy group. We have more work to do in this area and together we will continue working on solutions to help those who are battling with these disorders.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Senate Finance Committee chaired by Senator Nelson began looking into its interim charge relating to the franchise tax sales tax holiday & fiscal responsibility by holding its first hearing in Austin. Last session Senator Nelson sponsored legislation providing over $2.5 billion in business tax relief cutting the franchise tax by 25 and directing the Comptroller to study the budget impact of phasing out the tax altogether.
Texas has made tremendous strides in reducing the tax burden making the budget more transparent and strengthening the policies of fiscal discipline that have shaped our economic success. We must continue to look for ways to protect taxpayers and make sure that our citizens understand exactly how their money is being spent said Senator Nelson.
A link to the archived hearing can be found here: http://bit.ly/1Ywtm5T
Senator Nelson Recognized by Tax Foundation
Senator Nelson received the Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform Award from the non-partisan Tax Foundation in recognition of her work to promote smart tax policy.
By crafting a conservative budget we were able to stay true to the policies of fiscal discipline that are driving our economic success in Texas. For our work to be singled out by a national organization that studies tax policy across the country is a tremendous honor said Senator Nelson.
The Tax Foundation is considered a leading national independent tax policy research organization and also recognized winners in Indiana Nevada North Dakota and Utah. Working for better tax policy is not easy and although a small glass award hardly compares to the efforts the recipients put into what they helped achieve we believe that its important to do something to recognize their impressive achievements for the taxpayers of their states" Joseph Henchman Vice President of State Projects said.
Mental Health Budget Numbers Confirmed
Senator Jane Nelson began the March 30th Senate Finance Committee hearing by reporting newly confirmed data from the Legislative Budget Board and the Health and Human Services Commission on behavioral health spending in the state budget.
This number paints a very different picture than what was reported and further demonstrates the significant resources Texas has invested on mental health said Senator Nelson chair of the Senate Finance Committee. We have serious challenges to address but I want to make sure we have a true understanding of our commitment to mental health - by knowing not only how much we are spending but also how we are spending the funds.
HHSC Transition Plans Reviewed in Hearing
The Transition Legislative Oversight Committee (TLOC) co-chaired by Senator Nelson met to discuss recently released transition plans for the re-organization of Texas health and human services system.
This committee is charged with making sure we achieve the transformation envisioned by the Legislature. That means creating a system that improves coordination of care eliminates inefficiencies and makes it easier for our most vulnerable citizens to connect with the services they need said Senator Nelson. The transition plans discussed today provide a broad framework but there is much more work ahead make sure this re-organization is a success.
Members were briefed on the Health and Human Services Commission Transition Plan; the plan to transfer vocational rehabilitation services transfer from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services to the Texas Workforce Commission; and the effort to consolidate child abuse prevention services at the Department of Family and Protective Services. Public testimony was also taken during the hearing.
Senator Jane Gray Nelson Leadership Scholarship Awarded to Local Student
Senator Nelson awarded the first Jane Gray Nelson Leadership Scholarship to Lauren Wasson a local student during the annual scholarship banquet of the Republican Women of Greater North Texas.
When I learned about this scholarship I was truly humbled because I know it is going to make such a positive impact for Lauren -- and hopefully for many more young women over the years to come said Senator Nelson. This is a scholarship that helps young women achieve their dreams and I congratulate Lauren on being a young leader and representative for todays generation of young women.
Senator Nelson Receives Award from Mental Health America of Texas
Senator Jane Nelson was named the 2016 recipient of the Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt Award for Mental Health by Mental Health America of Texas during the organizations 53rd Annual Honoring Dinner in Austin.
I am proud of our efforts to help Texans struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. Left untreated mental health problems impact our jails burden our emergency rooms or result in tragedy Senator Nelson said. It is a great honor to be recognized by such a stalwart advocacy group. We have more work to do in this area and together we will continue working on solutions to help those who are battling with these disorders.
