Special to the Progress
NACOGDOCHES — State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, was recognized Monday in Nacogdoches at a dinner hosted by the Texas Farm Bureau to honor his legislative accomplishments.
“Sen. Nichols cares about our legislative priorities and is a strong advocate for us in Austin,” said Nacogdoches County Farm Bureau President Mike Meador. “East Texas counties are grateful for his leadership and friendship.”
Nichols sponsored and passed legislation in the 2007 Legislative Session creating a Landowners’ Bill of Rights. The law ensures that Texans receive information on how to protect their property and rights when government entities attempt to condemn property or exercise eminent domain.
Nichols has also filed legislation to curb private equity contracts used to build toll roads and end the conversion of existing roads to toll roads.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Texas Farm Bureau,” Nichols said. “They are a voice for Texas farm and agriculture families, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with this group to pass common sense legislation.”
Nichols praised the Farm Bureau for its leadership relating to landowners’ rights.
“Members of the Texas Farm Bureau understand how eminent domain laws affect families and businesses," he said. "They played a key role in passing Proposition 11, which prohibits the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes.”
In addition to authoring legislation to protect landowners’ rights, Nichols also passed laws to increase educational opportunities in East Texas and end government competition against private enterprise. He was designated as one of 2009’s Best Legislators by Texas Insider and a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Texas Association of Business.
