Austin — State Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) was recently named a 'Friend of County Government' by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) for his work during the 83rd Legislative Session.

"Since becoming a state senator it has been my goal to work with local communities to help promote and preserve local control," Nichols said. "Every county has unique characteristics and needs. It is important that our state government does not assume a one-size-fits all model for all 254 county governments and that unfunded mandates are not passed down to the local level."

This is the second time that Nichols has received this award, which was given for his leadership as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and his efforts in finding solutions to better transportation infrastructure at the state and local levels. The work that Nichols has done on behalf of the counties in Texas through his work as vice chair for the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, where many local decisions that are governed by state law are made, was also recognized.

"TAC is grateful for the support that Senator Nichols has given to county governments," said Paul Sugg, Legislative Director for TAC. "Through his work and his efforts to preserve decision making authority at the county level, counties are able to better serve their communities and residents."

TAC is a statewide non-profit organization that represents counties at the Capitol, conducts continuing education for officials and provides other needed services for county government.

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