Bonnen’s unanimous election marks a new era of Texas House leadership for the first time in a decade. Meanwhile, the leader of the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was conspicuously absent on opening day.
Cassandra Pollock
Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Everything you need to know about the first day of the Texas Legislature
The 140-day sprint to the finish line will finally begin today, when state lawmakers convene in Austin for the Texas Legislature’s 86th regular session.
Posted in
Politics
Two years ago, the Texas Legislature started with a bang. This year, it’s quieter.
Lawmakers have coalesced behind school finance and property taxes as top priorities, a stark contrast with the hot-button social legislation that headlined the 85th Legislature in 2017.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Dennis Bonnen has spent half his life in the Texas House. Is he ready to run it?
Twenty-two years after joining the Texas House as its youngest member, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen is poised to replace Joe Straus as the chamber’s speaker on Jan. 8.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Dennis Bonnen has spent half his life in the Texas House. Is he ready to run it?
Twenty-two years after joining the Texas House as its youngest member, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen is poised to take over the chamber’s reins on Jan. 8.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Jeff Leach resigns from the hardline Texas House Freedom Caucus, urging GOP unity
The Plano Republican told members of the Tea Party-aligned caucus that he was leaving the group because he thinks that his “time, talent and treasure is best devoted to fighting for those things within the Republican Caucus.”
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
State lawmaker files bill to require annual football game between UT and Texas A&M
The Longhorns and the Aggies haven’t played since 2011.
Posted inState Government
Despite prior differences, hardline conservatives cautiously optimistic about Dennis Bonnen as speaker
Ten of the 11 returning members of the Freedom Caucus in the Texas House have publicly backed the Angleton Republican as speaker.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
From staying out to declaring victory, how Dennis Bonnen ended the speaker’s race in a weekend
The Republican from Angleton wasn’t even a candidate a month ago. Now he says he has north of 100 votes — more than enough to win the gavel.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Dennis Bonnen says he has the votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House
Bonnen made the announcement at a press conference at the Capitol.