SETX son begins second term as House Speaker

Jan. 10, the 88th Texas Legislature convened with a welcome-back to the re-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan of Southeast Texas.

As announced in the Texas Tribune moments after the Tuesday vote, Texas House of Representatives members voted 145-3 to elect state Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, to a second term as speaker – the most powerful position in the lower chamber.

Phelan defeated state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington. Tinderholt reportedly cast a ballot for himself, as did two Republican members who nominated him, Nate Schatzline of Tarrant County and Bryan Slaton of Royce City.

Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson convened the 88th Texas Legislative Session on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives before the Speaker vote, becoming the first Texan to preside over the opening of both chambers of the Texas Legislature. After gaveling in the Texas House of Representatives, Secretary Nelson reflected on her career as a lawmaker in the Texas Senate, and urged members to recognize their common goal of improving the lives of all Texans.

“There will be difficult moments ahead – that happens every session,” Nelson said. “But, remember this: As Texans, we all agree on much more than any differences we might have. I have great faith in you all, and I will be rooting for you to have a successful session.”

Nelson reflected on her days in the House, detailing memories both fond and bittersweet.

“Of course, I witnessed some of my bills die very colorful deaths in this chamber, as I’m sure some of you have,” she shared with the elected officials gathered at the Capitol. “But, it’s also the place where I forged some of the best friendships and partnerships of my career.”

According to Nelson, new faces to the elected body of Texas representatives include 26 new members of the Texas House and 5 new members of the Senate.

“Many of you are fresh off the campaign trail, where you had an opportunity to listen first-hand to the concerns and hopes of the constituents you now represent,” she began in remarks to those who now sit where she did 30 years ago. “Each of you brings a unique point of view, background, and expertise to this body. We have a legislature comprised of teachers, doctors, police officers, moms, dads, and, yes, lawyers. You come from big cities and small towns, seasides and deserts.

“But, no matter where you’re from, we are all Texans, and we have all come together for the next 140 days to work on behalf of our state.”

Following her opening remarks, Nelson presided over the election of Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Phelan, as well as welcomed Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick to administer Phelan’s Oath of Office.

Phelan said he would shepherd bills through the chamber that have the support of a majority of members, just as his election did, while also ensuring that lawmakers from the minority party have a meaningful voice. As Phelan would note, it is Texas House tradition that deserves to be preserved.

“Our rules keep the game fair, but they do not dictate the outcome,” Phelan said. “We will have divisions – every session does – but that division does not have to define us.”

According to the Texas House of Representatives website, the “members give the Speaker the authority to appoint the membership of each standing committee, subject to rules on seniority, and to designate the chair and vice chair for each committee. Under the rules, the Speaker is responsible for referring all proposed legislation to committee, subject to the committee jurisdictions set forth in the rules. The rules also allow the Speaker to appoint conference committees, to create select committees, and to direct committees to conduct interim studies when the legislature is not in session.”