ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the members and leaders of the Texas legislature. It explores how the Texas legislature is organized to do the state’s business and how well that business is being done. Molly Ivins used to quip that the approach of the Texas legislative session meant that “every village is about to lose its idiot. Texas legislative salaries are very low compared to similar states, though its per diem rate is average, and its legislative retirement system is very generous. Republicans have enjoyed a majority in the Texas Senate since 1997 and in the Texas House since 2003. In the 86th legislative session, the Senate is composed of nineteen Republicans and twelve Democrats, while the House is composed of eighty-three Republicans and sixty-seven Democrats. The Speaker of the Texas House is elected by House members as the first order of business in each regular session.
