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For the first time in many years, the state has a new governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, and land commissioner. All of the state-wide office holders are Republicans. The Texas Senate will also have seven new members, three of whom previously served in the House. The Senate has eleven Democrats, nineteen Republicans, and one vacancy. Senate District 18 is currently vacant since the incumbent senator, Glenn Hegar, was just elected to serve as the Comptroller. A special election will be held to fill this vacancy. The Texas House will have twenty-two new members, and consist of fifty-two Democrats and 98 Republicans.
The two months leading up to a legislative session are very busy times at the capitol. On Monday, November 10th, members can begin to pre-file legislation to be considered in the upcoming session. Next week members will begin selecting their offices and their desks on the floor of the House. Every year, all of the offices undergo routine maintenance such as painting and carpet cleaning, which also will be completed before session begins.
Legislative offices, parking spaces, and desks are picked according to seniority. The longer a member has been in office, the more offices they are able to choose from, such as offices inside the original building, as opposed to the capitol extension. There are only 50 House offices in the original building, so these offices are in high demand, not only for their historical significance, but also because they are closer to the floor of the House. Members also get to choose where on the floor they sit, and since most of the desks are paired together, with whom they would like to sit.
For more information on any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.
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