Published Jan 13, 2023 by Taylor Landin
During the 88th Legislative Session, the Greater Houston Partnership will provide a weekly update on newsworthy items from Austin. This week, the 88th Legislative Session begins, Comptroller Hegar releases the Biennial Revenue Estimate, and the Partnership highlights its top priorities.
Legislative Session Begins
Texas lawmakers returned to Austin this week for the 88th Legislative Session, House and Senate members were sworn in and as expected, Representative Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) was elected Speaker of the House.
The Houston region’s delegation returned to the capitol, including some of the most-tenured legislators in both the House and Senate. Senator John Whitmire, who ranks first in seniority and is “Dean of the Senate,” and Representative Senfronia Thompson, have nearly a century of combined legislative experience.
In total, 46 members from the greater Houston region’s delegation were sworn in this week, including former Rep. Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville), now representing SD-11, and six freshman representatives:
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate
Follow the Money: On January 9th, Glenn Hegar, Comptroller of Public Accounts, released the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE), revenue the state expects to receive through the next two-year period.
Highlights:
Why it matters: the only thing the Texas legislature is constitutionally required to pass is a balanced budget every legislative session. Extra money available will drive all conversations and decision-making at the capitol as lawmakers have the opportunity to decide how to appropriate funds.
Partnership’s 88th legislative priorities
The Partnership’s top priorities in 2023 include the following:
View our Public Policy page to see the full agenda and learn more about all issues the Partnership is supporting this legislative session. The Partnership will be in Austin to celebrate the 88th Legislative Session on January 24th. Details can be found here.
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