Jane Nelson

Here's what Jackson wrote to Nelson: "The location of System staff is a business decision that we think best allows us to fulfill our commitment to the academic missions and future plans of UNT and our two other campuses." Whenever somebody says they've made "a business decision,"

Read more: For the University of North Texas, is the money in Denton or Dallas? | In this article: University of North Texas, Dallas, UNT, Fort Worth, University of North Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas System, and University of North Texas Health Science Center

Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, is deep in wedding-planning mode for one of her daughters, so "I will be bringing my notebook with me to Austin," she said. "Some business meetings also had to be rescheduled and, depending how long the special session lasts, I may have to also reschedule some speaking engagements."

Read more: For Texas lawmakers, special session that starts today could be a quick one | In this article: Rick Perry, Texas, Flower Mound, Austin, and Texas Tech

"Jane Nelson is definitely a superstar at the Capitol," said Mike Hailey, editor and publisher of Capitol Inside, an online political newsletter. "She's definitely somebody you want to have on your side in a fight. If you don't, there's a good chance you're going to lose that fight."

Read more: Texas Capitol 'superstar' Jane Nelson passed second-most bills in Senate in regular session | In this article: Rick Perry, Tarrant County, Allegation, Tax, Medicaid, Texas Capitol, and John Carona

"Nelson carried a host of healthcare legislation, including a bill aimed at retaining nurses and one of Gov. Rick Perry's emergency items - reforms for the state's 13 large institutions for the developmentally disabled, which were facing allegations of widespread abuse and neglect," the AP said. "The Flower Mound Republican was accused by some of delaying a vote on a proposed statewide ban on smoking in public places after voicing her support early in the session. The measure was later passed by the committee but failed to get the votes to pass the Senate."

Read more: PoliTex: Let the hair-raising puns begin | In this article: Rick Perry, Robin Williams, and Allegation

"Unless we take action, an entire generation of Texans will live shorter lives than their parents." But nonprofits representing music and art educators think Nelson's bills could cut hours of instruction away from students wanting to take fine arts classes such as music or to study foreign languages. "Certainly the intent of Sen. Nelson's legislation is well meaning, but the impact of expanded physical education requirements means that seventh- and eighth-grade students may have to choose whether or not to continue in orchestra or art," said Robert Floyd, chairman of the nonprofit Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education. "Sometimes, those are the subjects that keep kids coming to school."

Read more: State Sen. Jane Nelson wants PE classes beefed up | In this article: Texas, Flower Mound, and Austin

"It is a sad state of affairs when school districts are willing to go to court for the right to force their teachers to assign fraudulent grades," Nelson said. "When I filed this bill, many were skeptical as to whether these policies even existed in our schools. Now we know the truth - that administrators are substituting their judgment for that of our teachers in the classroom."

Read more: Half-dozen districts sue over Texas law prohibiting minimum grades | In this article: Texas, Houston, Fort Worth, Plaintiff, and Rick Perry

"I understand and support the system's effort to grow its other campuses but strongly object to moving its headquarters away from the flagship campus, where more than 85 percent of the system's students attend class," Nelson wrote.

Read more: University of North Texas System's move out of Denton is opposed | In this article: UNT, University of North Texas System, Dallas, North Texas Daily, Austin, and Fort Worth

"Many of these parents would never have invested their hard-earned income into this program were it not for the refund policy, which assured a return on their investment," said Nelson, a mother of five. "The new policy would result in a net loss for the parents of children who earn scholarships, fall ill, die or face other situations in which their child does not ultimately incur the cost of tuition."

Read more: Parents face decision as change in Texas prepaid college tuition policy looms | In this article: Texas, Texas Legislature, Tax, Inflation, and The Dallas Morning News

"We will be studying those issues as we continue to look for ways to improve the system for children and families," said Nelson, R-Lewisville.

Read more: CPS officers' exits threaten plan to save kids | In this article: Houston, Austin, and Harris County Sheriff's Office

"It's gotten out of hand," Nelson says.

Read more: NTTA's late-fee collection has 'gotten out of hand,' state senator says | In this article: Revenue, Tarrant County, Flower Mound, and Dallas