My five cents...

My five cents…
stuIs e
A weekly column from Sen. Robert Nichols
by Sen. Robert Nichols, Senate District 3
For immediate release Contact: Shelby Vestal
May 8th, 2025 Tel: 512-463-0103
word count: 770
On May 8, 1945 the Allied forces celebrated Victory in Europe Day after the defeat of Nazi
Germany. During the war, more than 1,500,000 military personnel came to Texas for training.
There were 142 major military installations across the state, and more than 750,000 Texans served
in uniform during the war.
Here are five things happening around your state:
1. Stephen F. Austin State University enters compact with area community colleges
Stephen F. Austin (SFA) has created expansive partnerships with surrounding institutions for an
expedited transfer process. Students are guaranteed admission to SFA when transferring from
institutions within the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance. SFA has partnered with 17 universities from
the region, and three (soon to be four) of the universities are part of the Lumberjack Transfer
Alliance. East Texas schools who have entered the partnership include: Angelina College, Panola
College, Tyler Junior College, and soon Kilgore College. We are fortunate to have so many quality
institutions of higher education in East Texas. The collaboration of these schools will undoubtedly
benefit our communities and workforce.
2. Bill to allow hunting of invasive sheep from a helicopter passes
Senate Bill 1245 by Senator César Blanco, which has passed both chambers, would allow hunters
to use helicopters to hunt aoudad sheep west of the Pecos River. Aoudad sheep, also known as
Barbary sheep, were imported to Texas in the 1950s from Northern Africa to provide additional
hunting game. Since their arrival, aoudad have proven to be difficult to keep fenced and in recent
years, researchers have learned aoudad can carry mycoplasma ovipneumonia (MOV). MOV is a
pneumonia-causing bacteria that can be transmitted between animals through shared water
sources. As aoudad populations have surged, native species have suffered. By adding aoudad to
the list of animals that can be hunted from a helicopter, we can better protect the posterity of native
species.
3. Agreement reached between chambers on property tax relief
Legislation is moving forward to put $51 billion toward relieving property taxes in the next
biennium. This week, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced proposals that have passed

out of the Senate on significant tax breaks. The proposal will increase tax breaks for homeowners,
cut taxes for older and disabled Texans, and increase the inventory tax exemption for businesses.
Senate Bill 4 raises the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. Additionally, Senate
Bill 23 raises the homestead exemption for 65+ and disabled Texans from $10,000 to $60,000.
Collectively, these residents will be eligible for $200,000 in property tax relief. House Bill 9 passed
out of the Senate Local Government Committee this week which would exempt up to $125,000 of
businesses’ inventory from taxation by any taxing entity. I was proud to coauthor both SB 4 and
SB 23.
4. Effort to end Texas Lottery Commission following scandal
As we reach the last few weeks of the legislative session, the Legislature contemplates the future
of the Texas Lottery Commission. Lottery couriers, or services that facilitate online purchasing of
lottery tickets, have exploited loopholes in the format of the lottery by printing physical lottery
tickets at licensed retail stores and then sending digital scans of the tickets to customers. This has
increased sales to out-of-state customers and minors via digital methods. This year the Lottery
Commission is under review by the Sunset Advisory Commission. The Sunset Commission
reviews the “nuts and bolts” of agencies every 12 years to determine if the agency is operating at
peak efficiency. As allegations of fraud have surfaced, a critical review of the Lottery Commission
is especially important. The Texas Lottery generates about $2 billion for schools annually.
Ensuring the ethical operation of the lottery and addressing potential corruption will be essential
if the Legislature continues the Texas Lottery.
5. Accepting scholarship applications for Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program
As a state senator I have the honor of appointing one student each year to receive the Texas Armed
Services Scholarship Program (TASSP) initial conditional scholarship award. The scholarship is
available to eligible graduating high school seniors who will be working to complete a
baccalaureate degree and become a member of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air
National Guard, Texas State Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Merchant Marines or pursue a
commission in any branch of the armed services of the United States. If you live in Senate District
3 and are interested in this scholarship, please send the required material to
robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov. Applications must be received no later than July 15, 2025.
For questions please call my Jacksonville office at 903-589-3003. For more information and
details on the application please visit www.hhloans.com.