In July, Bonnen was a House member with $707,000 in his war chest. After he announced for House Speaker and became the favorite to succeed Joe Straus, he was getting more than $150,000 in donations per day.
Dennis Bonnen
Analysis: At the top of Texas government, three-part harmony
The state’s top leaders have been saying for weeks that they are in sync, and here’s the surprise: Their initial proposals look like they are actually in sync.
Texas House and Senate about $3 billion apart on public education spending
Two rival budget proposals offer a starting point for debate between the two chambers on public school funding and property tax relief.
First day of 86th session is “launching pad” for new and veteran members
There’s a lot of work that goes on at the State Capitol even before lawmakers gavel in. This “Under the Dome” episode takes you through the behind-the-scenes start of the 86th Texas Legislature.
Analysis: Big things can happen in Texas without court orders, sometimes
It usually takes a court order to move Texas lawmakers to make big changes to major programs like school finance. But it’s possible, if top leaders are united, to go big without a judicial push.
Analysis: For Dan Patrick, something new โ the passengerโs seat
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been the biggest agenda-setter in state leadership in recent legislative sessions. With a narrower majority in the Senate, a closer result in his last election and a new House speaker in place, he’s a bit quieter.
Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Dennis Bonnen promise unity in 2019 legislative session
Texas’ top three leaders are eager to show they’re on the same page as the 86th legislative session begins.
Analysis: A Texas House speakerโs first act is to put together a list
Texas House members made Dennis Bonnen their speaker this week. When he names committees in the early days of the session, they’ll get their first hard look at what kind of leader he is.
On first day of session, Gov. Greg Abbott talks priorities and politics
Abbott discussed his agenda for the 86th legislative session during an interview Tuesday with The Texas Tribune.
Texas House names Dennis Bonnen new speaker on celebratory opening day
Bonnenโs 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.

