By Senator Robert Nichols (Senate District)

My Five Cents: Senate Bills, Bill Deadline, TPWD Seeks Public Comment, Operation Lone Star, TEA Guidance

March 11, 2021 - Twenty-seven of my colleagues and I signed a letter to the Public Utility Commission this week urging them to correct the billing errors related to last month's winter storm. According to the Independent Market Monitor, ERCOT allowed emergency pricing to continue for almost a day and a half longer than necessary, resulting in $3.2 billion in overbilled charges. Correcting these billing mistakes is a critical step in reforming the system. 

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My Five Cents: Pandemic Restrictions, Data Privacy, TPW Saves Turtles, Governor's Cup

March 4, 2021 - Texas Independence Day is celebrated on March 2nd and commemorates the creation of the Republic of Texas in 1836 after our declaration of independence from Mexico. Sixty men signed the Texas Declaration of Independence including the legendary Sam Houston, who would go on to be president of the Republic of Texas, a US Senator after Texas joined the United States, and later the governor of Texas. His birthday also happens to fall on March 2nd. 

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My Five Cents: ERCOT Board, Electric Bills, Vaccines, Utility Disconnects, STAAR Test

February 26, 2021 - As Texas recovers from the destructive storms last week, the legislature is back at work and focused on finding answers to what happened last week. This week we also resumed work on the budget in the Senate Finance Committee. We heard from Article III agencies, including TEA and all of our institutes of higher education. To finish the week, we will hear from Article II agencies, including Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services.

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My Five Cents: TWDB Flood Mitigation Assistance, Texas Economy, Broadband Emergency Item, US Military Treats COVID-19 Patients, Free Feral Hog Trapping Permits

February 4, 2021 - Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day, signaling 6 more weeks of winter.  Since 1887, the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has been central to the legend of Groundhog Day, celebrated every February 2. Let's hope he's wrong this year. 

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Expansion of Broadband Deemed Emergency Item by Governor Abbott

February 2, 2021 - Monday night, in his biennial address to outline priorities for the Legislative Session, Governor Greg Abbott announced that increasing access to broadband services would be an Emergency Item. Broadband - which the Governor noted is no longer a luxury, but an essential tool - is one of five Emergency Items that will be eligible for the Legislature's consideration within the first sixty days of the 87th Legislative Session.

My Five Cents: Redistricting, NRA, Broadband Access, Scholarship Opens, Unemployment Assistance

January 22, 2021 - On January 25, 1839 the Lone Star flag was adopted by the Third Congress of the Republic of Texas as the national flag since Texas was an independent nation at that time. When Texas joined the United States as the 28th state six years later, the national flag became the state flag.

Here are five things happening around your state:

1. Senate Redistricting Committee to begin hearings

Nichols Appointed Transportation Committee Chair, Member of Five Other Committees

January 20, 2021 - Last week, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced committee assignments for the 87th Legislative Session. I am honored to once again chair the Senate Transportation Committee and look forward to working with my fellow members on transportation legislation. The Lt. Governor also appointed me as the Vice Chair of the Senate Business and Commerce committee and a member of the Senate committees on Criminal Justice, Finance, Local Government (formerly known as Intergovernmental Relations), and the Select Committee on Redistricting. 

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