The 2011 Texas Legislature by the Numbers
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas I hope that the governor will add the issue of sanctuary cities to the agenda of the special session so we can consider this important bill said Texas State Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) prior to Gov. Perry doing just that earlier this week. Sen. Nelson nade her comments after a filibuster killed a key school finance bill at the end of the Regular Legislative Session and as Governor Rick Perry called lawmakers back for an immediate Special Session.
The Special Session will consider for starters bills related to:
- School Funding
- Senator Nelsons legislation on health care cost containment and
- Incentives to improve the quality of health care
- Congressional redistricting; and the
- Windstorm insurance program for coastal area residents.
Senate Passes Medicaid Restructuring/Health Care Quality Bill
The Senate on the 4th day of the special session unanimously passed SB 7 legislation authored by State Senator Jane Nelson which expands Medicaid managed care and streamlines programs to achieve cost savings needed to balance the health and human services budget.
The bill which saves $467 million now goes to the House.
Our Medicaid costs are unsustainable and this legislation is critically needed to make our health and human services operate more efficiently on behalf of those who depend on state services and those whose tax dollars support the services Senator Nelson said.
Senator Nelson Jointly Files Sanctuary Cities Bill
Senator Nelson jointly filed Senate Bill 9 a bill prohibiting sanctuary city practices and giving the Texas Department of Public Safety authority to require
proof of citizenship before issuing a drivers license.
It also requires every person arrested to be run through the federal Secure Communities Program which compares fingerprint data against immigration databases.
The 82nd Regular Session By The Numbers
- Total Senate & House Bills Filed: 5796
- Total Senate & House Bills Passed: 1379
Senator Nelson:
- Passed 48 Senate Bills and 29 House Bills
- Was named a Senate negotiator on the budget & on 27 other bills and
- Her office processed correspondence from 13069 constituents.
Senator Nelson represents Senate District 12 which includes portions of Denton and Tarrant counties. She is Chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.
