This past Tuesday, the 84th Texas Legislature kicked off in Austin. I am again humbled and honored that you have trusted me to be your voice in Austin and I look forward to hearing from you and working with you over the next 140 days.

While the drafting and filing of bills is just beginning for the upcoming session, we already know that there are many important issues ahead of us. This legislature will tackle finding a long term solution for transportation funding, improving how we fund our schools, protecting our 2nd Amendment rights, protecting the unborn, and pushing back against an overreaching federal government.

The only task that the legislature is required to accomplish each session is to pass a budget. This budget will have to take into account the rapidly growing population of Texas, which strains our school systems, transportation systems, water resources, and other infrastructure.

I am committed to passing a balanced budget while also making sure that we fund the necessary functions of the state without raising our taxes. This will require that we carefully consider all aspects of the budget, find and remove waste and fraud, and make sure that we are using your tax dollars as efficiently as possible.

Besides these priorities, we will consider legislation on every topic imaginable, from education reform to water policy to criminal justice issues and everything in between. I personally am evaluating bills that will have a local impact as well as some that will change the law across the state, including toughening child pornography laws, a sales tax holiday for hunting supplies, and open carry legislation.

I want to encourage you to contact me if you have any ideas for legislation; I find the best ideas come from back home. You can reach me at 512-463-0556 or district9.paddie@house.state.tx.us to discuss any thoughts you have. Also, please feel free to contact me if you have any opinions on specific pieces of legislation that I or any other member files. Your input is essential to helping me represent you.