Slideshow: The 83rd Legislature Gets Under Way
With all 180 legislators, along with their families and friends, lobbyists and onlookers gathered under the pink dome for the start of the 83rd Texas legislative session, the Capitol was filled with pomp and circumstance on Tuesday. From the House floor to the Senate chamber — and everywhere in between — Tribune cameras captured the moments.
Legislators, lobbyists, staffers and other Capitol visitors fill the rotunda outside the House and Senate chambers.
Rabbi Neil Blumofe leads an interfaith group, including state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, in a prayer before the opening ceremonies.
A tap-dancing troop from Tomball Republican state Rep. Debbie Riddle's district entertains visitors inside the Capitol.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stands guard outside the Senate chamber.
Former Republican presidential candidate and Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum makes a surprise appearance in the Texas Senate, telling reporters that his friend, Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, invited him to watch the swearing-in ceremony.
During the swearing-in ceremony, freshman state Sens. Donna Campbell, R-San Antonio, and Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, take the oath of office.
Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst speak on the Senate dais.
Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, D-San Antonio, is sworn-in as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate, a position that puts her in line to be governor if Dewhurst and Perry are incapacitated.
The strike of Dewhurst's gavel opens and closes the day's ceremonies in the Senate.
The House chamber crowded with lawmakers, their families, staff and onlookers.
The second-longest-serving member of the Texas House, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, surrounded by her family.
State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdraws from the House speaker's race.
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, acknowledges applause at his election as speaker of the House.
Perry gives advice to legislators during a speech to the Texas House.
As the day ends and rain falls outside, the 83rd legislative session is officially under way.
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