An unusual start for the Texas Legislature, but a familiar sight for Tarrant County
Texas lawmakers convened the 87th Legislative Session on Tuesday, but the ceremonial day stood out from past openings in more ways than one.
Bottles of hand sanitizer were placed at each representative’s desk in the Texas House as they sat wearing face masks. In other years, the chamber would be bulging with family members, guest and staff. Instead those in the Capitol were spaced throughout the large room, papers placed on chairs instructing people to leave them empty to allow for social distancing. Members of the public were required to get tested for COVID-19 in tents set up on the Capitol grounds before being allowed to go inside.
Also apparent was the law enforcement presence following the riot at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Dozens of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were stationed inside the Capitol and on the grounds.
But while the day was atypical, the delegation representing Tarrant County in the Texas Legislature remains — for the most part — the same despite Democrats’ efforts to flip five Tarrant County House seats.
Republican incumbents Rep. Craig Goldman, Rep. Matt Krause, Rep. Tony Tinderholt retained their seats in November. Newcomers Jeff Cason and David Cook defeated their Democratic opponents, winning Texas House seats previously filled by Republicans Jonathan Stickland and Bill Zedler.
In the Senate, Sen. Jane Nelson and Sen. Brian Birdwell, both Republicans, won their elections. Sen. Beverly Powell and Sen. Kelly Hancock were not up for reelection.
Jim Riddlesperger, a TCU political science professor, said overall the delegation is going to look similar to that of the 2019 legislative session.
“Despite the fact that Tarrant County went blue in the overall 2020 election, narrowly, the watchword of our legislative delegation is continuity, not change,” Riddlesperger said.
Lawmakers have challenges like address coronavirus response, criminal justice reforms, redistricting and crafting a state budget ahead of them. The session runs from Tuesday through May 31, though there’s always the chance a special session is called.
Phelan elected House speaker
State Rep. Jeff Cason, a newcomer to the Texas legislature who was sworn in Tuesday along with his fellow lawmakers, voted against electing widely supported Rep. Dade Phelan of Orange as the new House speaker. Phelan was elected with a 143-2 vote.
Phelan, who came into the day as the presumptive pick for the job, had the support of Democrats and Republicans. Two lawmakers voted no — Cason, a Bedford Republican who took over Jonathan Strickland’s former seat, and Rep. Bryan Slaton of Royce City.
Asked for comment on the vote as he exited the House chamber, Cason asked that the request be sent in writing to a member of his staff. Cason later posted on Facebook his reasoning, citing a December letter he and three other House members sent to Phelan.
Ahead of the session Cason, joined by Slaton, Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and Kyle Biedermann, R-Fredericksburg, asked Phelan whether he’d appoint Democrats to serve as committee chairs in committees that oversee Republican agenda items. At the time, Cason said on Facebook “Democrats should not be put in chair positions this session where they can single handedly veto a Republican agenda.”
Cason on Tuesday said he never got a reply from Phelan, who told the Texas Tribune Monday he plans to appoint Democratic committee chairs.
“This entire process has sent the wrong message about whether or not our speaker is committed to having a conservative session that passes conservative legislation. I cannot, in good conscience, cast my vote for a speaker who is not transparent about his intentions,” Cason said in his Facebook post.
Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, called Phelan the “right person for our state” in a speech seconding his nomination.
“He’s a person of discernment and focus,” Collier said. “In fact, what I appreciate about Dade Phelan is that he’s a person who listens.”
Phelan, addressing the House, reflected on the coronavirus’ toll on the state.
“Now the difficult work of recovery begins, and we have a very short runway in which to do it,” he said.
He also commented on the country’s political division.
“This past summer, and as recently as last week, we witnessed the dark side of political and social division as senseless and unacceptable violence swept through our streets, and even through our nation’s Capitol,” Phelan said, calling on the Legislature to “lead by example and to work on real issues of real significance for the people of Texas.
“To do this, I encourage each of you to get to know one another and share your insights. Seek one another’s point of view when you disagree and work together for the betterment of Texas.”
Birdwell is Senate’s president pro tem
In the Senate, Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, was unanimously elected as president pro tempore, a position usually reserved for a senior member of the Senate. The president pro tempore performs the duties of the lieutenant governor when the lieutenant governor is absent.
“With all of my heart, you are the finest human being I’ve ever known in my life,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said to Birdwell ahead of vote, according to a pool report from the upper chamber.
Birdwell was emotional as he spoke to his colleagues in the Senate after being elected to the leadership role.
“What a great place Texas is, for an old soldier who now resides in Grandbury and Hood County to serve in such a capacity,” said Birdwell, an Army veteran who was first elected to the House in June 2010.
State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, was reelected as House Democratic Caucus chair on the eve of the session.
“We have a challenging session ahead of us, and I look forward to supporting all our Members as we fight for real solutions for the people of Texas,” Turner said in a statement. “We will be guided by our shared values of equality and opportunity for all and a renewed sense of optimism as our state and nation turn the page to better days ahead.”
This story was originally published January 12, 2021 at 5:43 PM.
