Week 1: And So It Begins

And so it begins.

Today marks the beginning of my second week here at the Texas state capitol. Let me start by saying that the stereotypes are true. Most every Texan believes that this state is the greatest in the country, and I must say that I'm beginning to believe them (sorry Colorado, I still love you, I promise). This legislative session looks bright and I believe that a lot of good can happen for the state through the decisions Representatives and Senators will make, and I believe that some of those quality policy propositions will come from the office in which I am working.

I am working for Senator Brian Birdwell. A retired Army Lt. Col., Senator Birdwell has a storied past that makes him uniquely qualified to represent Texas SD 22. He served two operational tours of duty as an  officer and was stationed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. During the attack, Birdwell was severely burned and critically injured. His recovery, after months in the hospital and numerous operations, borders on the miraculous. After his retirement from the Army, he started the non-profit  "Face the Fire Ministries" designed to assist traumatic burn victims, wounded servicemen and women, and their families.

In 2010, Senator Birdwell won a special election to the Texas State Senate. A lifelong conservative, the senator served as Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education committee and the Veteran's Affairs and Military Installations committee. He also sat on the Economic Development and Government Affairs committees as well as being appointed to the Sunset Advisory Commission.

We have yet to draw for this session's committees - that will be done on Wednesday of this week - but hope to serve in the same capacities as last session. The senator and our policy staff have some pretty ambitious legislative priorities, all designed about making Texas a safer and more productive state.

A little bit about what I will be doing: My technical title is "Legislative Aide" and I will be serving two rolls. First, I am part of the policy team and have been tasked with handling the Administration Committee and the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Tracking bills, making policy recommendations, and keeping the senator up to date on everything happening with those committees is the bulk of my job description. I will also be participating as much as possible with the Veteran's Affairs Committee and the Higher Education Committee. The other side of my job will be helping with administrative things around the office - the general things an intern is expected to help out with. However, they have expressly said that I will not have to make anyone coffee, so that is a relief (J).

I am really excited about the opportunities that I have been afforded to be working with such a great staff and the chances I am going to have to grow myself in my understanding of policy and politics. I am going to use this blog to talk about my experiences at the capitol and potentially to share my opinions about some of the policy being made. Since I have to submit weekly updates for the academic side of the internship, this will also serve as the medium to do that.

Constitutionally Yours.