This week was a fun one, as we had a large delegation from Panola County visit the Capitol for Panola County Day on Tuesday. I enjoyed getting the opportunity to visit with so many of our friends and neighbors about the issues before us in this legislative session. I was also privileged to pass a resolution honoring Panola County and to introduce our delegation to my colleagues. Also this week, I was honored to be named the Legislator of the Year by the East Texas Council of Governments. To receive this distinction from such an esteemed group of our county judges, mayors and other local officials was a humbling recognition of my efforts to fight for East Texas. I continued to author and co-author legislation this week. I co-authored legislation that would establish that Texans have a constitutional right to hunt and fish, protecting one of our valued pastimes from attacks by the federal government and environmental groups. I also co-authored a resolution calling for an end to the federal government's ban on crude oil exports. Several studies have shown that ending this ban would result in increased economic activity and growth for Texas. Lastly, I co-authored a piece of legislation that would end the effort to consolidate our small school districts. The bill also returns funding to these small schools that was taken away in the attempt to force consolidation, an unfair penalty that punishes rural areas. I look forward to returning this funding to our classrooms. As always, if you have any ideas for legislation or any comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 512-463-0556 or district9.paddie@house.state.tx.us.