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I have noted in a number of posts since the November elections that it will be a different day in Austin when Jan. 13th rolls around. The withdrawal of Rep. Tom Craddick from the race for Speaker of the House means we will have an entirely new Speaker this session. This makes the "day in Austin" even more different and uncertain. How much different no one knows at this point. The Speaker has tremendous power in the House. He assigns Representatives to each committee, appoints the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and he decides to which committee a bill is assigned. All of these functions are critical and have a direct and dramatic impact on our legislation as well as anti-gun legislation.

I hope we have a good session, but I will say this without hesitation, this session will not be a repeat of any of the last three, especially not a repeat of 2007. Keep the faith, stay in the fight and be ready with calls and faxes, if they become necessary. I will repeat something I say every session. Being active and involved is vitally important, but the timing of our action is even more important. The best planning in the world goes for naught, if the timing is off. While I am sure 2009 will be different, I'm not saying it will be bad, we just don't know yet.

Chas.