Volume 25, Issue 2

Clayton’s knowledge of the Capitol, his relationships with most of the staff, and his collaboration with our legislative consultant, Mr. Jaime Capelo, helped us have one of the most successful legislative sessions in years. Coming in to this presidency, it was expected that I would spend some time in Austin. Early on in the 83rd Legislative Session, I thought it would be beneficial for me to fly down to Austin on Southwest Airlines. Love Field is easy to access from my home and work, and the new terminal there is a joy. Total travel time was less than if I drove, and certainly the stress level was lower than driving the busy I-35 corridor. So twice I flew to Austin (and back to Dallas). The last time I flew was when I was scheduled to testify before the House Committee on Public Health. I had heard stories about late night (or early morning, however one wishes to view it) sessions. I arrived in Austin on the first flight from Dallas, with plenty of time to take a taxi over to the TSA office. But then, as is typical of the uncertainties of the early part of the session, especially when the House was still contemplating the budget, the Committee meeting started late. And the bill upon which I was to testify, the Local Anesthesia bill, was last on the agenda. I had to leave the Capitol in time to make my flight home. Thus, I missed the chance to testify. And Clayton Stewart told me he stayed around until the Committee brought up the bill—at 11:00 p.m.!

That was the last time I flew. From then on, I figured if I were to testify, I would drive down. That way it would not matter how late the hearings remained open. But driving brought me back to the issues of stress and longer travel times. Some drives weren’t so bad. Others were painfully memorable. The most recent was at night; with rain most of the way. With all the construction on the road, it was a surprise to me that there weren’t more wrecks. It was quite unnerving to be giving oneself plenty of room to stop, with the rain pelting against the windshield, and have an eighteen-wheeler riding along about eight feet behind my bumper.

The Capitol did see me testifying before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Senator Jane Nelson. Before that Committee, I spoke on behalf of you, the more than 3000 members of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Texas Medical Association, in favor of the Truth and Transparency Legislation. None other than our