By Senator Robert Nichols (Senate District)

Nichols Requests Applications for Texas Armed Services Scholarship

May 6, 2021 - Today, Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) request qualified students to apply for a Texas Armed Services Scholarship.

"This scholarship is a way to encourage and reward students interested in military service," said Nichols. "It provides a unique opportunity for students to pursue higher education and take advantage of preparation from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs at universities in Texas." 

My Five Cents: Texas Gains Seats, Border Crisis, School Funding, Battleship Texas, Vaccines

April 29, 2021 - Last week, the House passed its version of the state budget for the next two years. It differs in some significant ways from the budget the Senate passed. In order to reconcile our differences, we'll convene a conference committee with 5 members from each chamber to work out the details. I'm honored to once again serve as a conferee for the state budget.   

Here are five things happening around your state: 

1. Texas to gain two new congressional seats

My Five Cents: ERCOT Reform, Declaration Legislature, Lobbyist Ban, TX Sovereignty, Municipal Elections

April 22, 2021 - On April 21, 1836, General Sam Houston led the Texan Army in a decisive victory over General Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto. The fighting lasted a mere 18 minutes. Though Santa Anna escaped the battlefield and fled, he was captured the next day and held as a prisoner of war for about three weeks until he signed the peace treaty that ended the conflict and paved the way for the Republic of Texas.    

Here are five things happening around your state: 

1. Texas Senate passes bill reforming the ERCOT board 

My Five Cents: Vehicle Waivers End, Texas Sues Biden, Preventing Defunding Police

April 15, 2021 - We have less than 50 days left in the 87th legislative session and the pace is picking up rapidly. Just this week, the Senate unanimously passed the Texas Consumer Privacy Act Phase 1, a bill I authored to ensure that the data the state has on private citizens is protected. Protecting consumer privacy is a priority for the Senate this session and I was proud to author this bill and see it pass unanimously through the Senate. Now, on to the House! 

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My Five Cents: Vaccine Passports, Election Security, Vaccines, STAAR, Trooper Walker

April 8, 2021 - This week the Senate passed Senate Bill 1, the Senate's version of the budget for this year. The budget includes over $11 billion for children and teacher public education support, $8 billion for mental health support, including an almost $20 million increase for children's mental health programs, and over $25 billion for highway improvements and new construction. The budget is a reflection of our priorities this session and took over six weeks to put together. 

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My Five Cents: Nursing Home/Long-Term Care Residents, Vaccine Eligibility, Border Crisis

March 25, 2021 - This week marks the halfway point in the 87th Legislative Session. We've spent the first 70 days filing bills, attending hearings, and working on the budget. Now that we're halfway through session, things will really start to pick up. We've already started voting on bills in committee and on the floor of the Senate. There's a lot going on down here in Austin and more to come! 

Here are five things happening around your state: 

1. Senate passes Senate Bill 25

My Five Cents: Vaccines, Broadband, Grants Awarded, State Parks Opening

March 18, 2021 - This week in 1836 the Convention of 1836 adjourned abruptly as the Mexican army approached Washington-on-the-Brazos. The convention, which began on March 1, drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Texas Constitution, organized the government, and named Sam Houston commander-in-chief of the military forces before the delegates had to be evacuated. 

Here are five things happening around your state: 

1. Texas to receive over 800,000 COVID-19 vaccine first doses 

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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