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84th Texas Legislative Session Begins

by Chronicle Staff January 14, 2015October 30, 2025

Senators get sworn-in during the 84th Texas Legislative Session opening day ceremony.
Former lieutenant governor David Dewhurst came to the opening day of the 84th Legislative Session to pass the torch to newly elected Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Leticia Van de Putte, who announced plans to resign from her Senate seat in November to run for mayor of San Antonio, joins her former colleagues on opening day of the 84th Texas Legislative session.
State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin.
State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston.
Senators unanimously elected Sen. “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, as president pro tem on the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.
Senators unanimously elected Sen. “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, as president pro tem on the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.
Dewhurst gives up the gavel. Former lieutenant governor David Dewhurst delivers his final speech from the Senate podium; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick now takes over.
State Sen. Konni Burton, R-Forth Worth.
State Senator and Tea Party activist Konni Burton, R-Fort Worth, who replaces former Sen. Wendy Davis, speaks with reporters on the first day of the Legislative Session.
Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, embraces colleague Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston.
Governor Greg Abbott (right) and State Sen. “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen.
Governor Greg Abbott on the first day of the 84th Texas Legislative Session.
Governor Greg Abbott on the first day of the 84th Texas Legislative Session.
Governor Greg Abbott on the first day of the 84th Texas Legislative Session.
Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst swears in newly elected Senate president pro tem Sen. “Chuy” Hinojosa. The pro tem presides over the Senate in the event the lieutenant governor is absent.
State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio.
Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler.
Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston.
Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton.
New Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (center).
Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
New Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, and Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson, R-Waco, take the oath of office on the first day of the 84th Texas Legislative session.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston.
Rep. Paul Dennis, R-Houston.
Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry and family.
Michael Berry, son of Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry.
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry’s children give the gavel a go on the first day of the Texas Legislative Session.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
State Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
State Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, sworn-in during the first day of the Legislative Session.
Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
State Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, sworn-in during the first day of the Legislative Session.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano.
State Rep. Bryan Huges, R-Mineola.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Texas Capitol was all hustle and bustle as the 84th Texas Legislative Session began. Friends and family joined lawmakers on the floor, as they were sworn-in during opening day ceremonies.
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, maintains his spot as Speaker of the House in a landslide 127-19 victory over Frisco Republican Scott Turner.
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin.
Left to right: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston.
House members voted 127-19 to maintain Rep. Joe Straus’ spot as Speaker of the House over Frisco Republican Scott Turner.
Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, congratulated for his Speaker of the House race win.
Governor Greg Abbott.
Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, takes an oath of office after winning his seat as Speaker of the House.
Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio (center)
Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, addresses the House after winning the Speaker of the House race in a landslide victory.
Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, addresses the House after winning the Speaker of the House race in a landslide victory.
Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin (left)
Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin.
Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, and Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin.
Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin.
Gun rights activists rallied outside the Texas Capitol on opening day, pushing for the repeal of gun laws and support for open carry legislation.
Gun rights activists rallied outside the Texas Capitol on opening day, pushing for the repeal of gun laws and support for open carry legislation.
Gun rights activists rallied outside the Texas Capitol on opening day, pushing for the repeal of gun laws and support for open carry legislation. Some demonstrated how to create a weapon with a 3-D printing machine.
An advocate of the Austin State Supported Living Center protests outside the Texas Capitol on opening day.

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