On the first day of the 84th Legislature, state lawmakers were sworn into office amidst family and friends. Afterwards, the House re-elected Joe Straus speaker, while the Senate made Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa president pro tempore.
Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and his daughter, Carolyn, on the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott (left), Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick and Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht are shown in the House chamber on Jan. 13, 2015, the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
State representatives make nominations for Speaker of the House on Jan. 13, 2015.
Credit:
Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Governor-elect Greg Abbott poses with the grandson of state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, on Jan. 13, 2015.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
State Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, gives a personal speech on the House floor after losing the speaker's race to Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
House Speaker Joe Straus shakes hands with state Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin, on the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.
Credit:
Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Electronic voting board in House lights up with red votes for Joe Straus for Speaker of the House.
Credit:
Marjorie Kamys Cotera
State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is sworn in as Texas Speaker of the House on January 13th, 2015
Credit:
Marjorie Kamys Cotera
State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, (center with yellow rose) listens to seconding speeches in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 13, 2015.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
State senators take the oath of office on the first day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
With Senate President Pro-Tempore "Chuy" Hinojosa watching, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst gives a final speech to the Texas Senate on Jan. 13, 2015.
Credit:
Bob Daemmrich
Support public-service journalism that gets the context right
Your donations make our reporting possible and keep it free for all to access. Support our nonprofit newsroom by May 11, and your gift will help us unlock $25,000 in matching funds from our partners at Tito's Handmade Vodka, the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation and the Suzanne Deal Booth Charitable Trust.
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8074Carolyn.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8175trio.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/UP9A0256.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/GW1A7833Bearclaw.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8236Turner.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/7C2A0337.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/7C2A0315.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/7C2A0406.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8100Chuy.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R7968handsup.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R8035Dewhurst.jpg)