The Texas House passed its version of the budget for the next biennium last week. The version of Senate Bill 1 passed by the House totaled $193.8 billion for the biennium which passed by a vote of 135-12. Eleven Democrats and one Republican voted in opposition.
Speaker’s Reunion Day is coming up this Friday, April 12th. This event honors former members of the Texas House of Representatives by dedicating a day at the Texas Capitol for them to gather and be honored for their service to the State of Texas. Prior to 1993, Speaker’s Reunion Day was known as Speaker’s Day, a long-standing tradition of honoring the Speaker of the House for his service.
If you happened to visit the Texas Capitol today, you might have noticed more bow ties than usual. That’s because it is Texas Bow Tie Day, sponsored by Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville), Commissioner Michael Williams of the Texas Education Agency, and Commissioner Rolando Pablos of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. After being complimented on his bow tie several years ago, Sen. Lucio has worn a bow tie each Wednesday during legislative sessions. The tradition has evolved into an annual charitable event.