Changes

Although the Democrats controlled the Legislature for the majority of its existence, it has generally been conservative in the legislation passed.  This is due in large part to the state constitution, one of the longest and most restrictive in the world, which greatly limits what the legislature can pass.<ref>One of the more restrictive, if not unique, provisions is that the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts -- the equivalent of a state treasurer in most states -- has the duty to determine the state's estimate of expected revenue over a two-year period, and must reject any appropriation which exceeds this estimate unless the Legislature passed it by at least an 80% majority.</ref>

Although the Democrats controlled the Legislature for the majority of its existence, it has generally been conservative in the legislation passed.  This is due in large part to the state constitution, one of the longest and most restrictive in the world, which greatly limits what the legislature can pass.<ref>One of the more restrictive, if not unique, provisions is that the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts -- the equivalent of a state treasurer in most states -- has the duty to determine the state's estimate of expected revenue over a two-year period, and must reject any appropriation which exceeds this estimate unless the Legislature passed it by at least an 80% majority.</ref>

As of the 2020 elections, the breakdown is as follows:

As of the 2022 elections, the breakdown is as follows:

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|-

|Republicans

|Republicans

|83

|86

|18

|19

|-

|-

|Democrats

|Democrats

|67

|64

|13

|12

|-

|-

|Total

|Total

|}

|}

The Texas Constitution mandates a quorum in order for business to be conducted.  Democrats (both when they have held control and when they have not) have used this provision to ignore their duty to represent their constituents, by physically leaving the state in order to keep legislation from passing, notably twice in 2021 (during both the regular session and the first special session called) when they were in opposition.  The latter move in July 2021 has kept needed legislation to reform Child Protective Services and to provide retired teachers a bonus check from passing.

The [[Texas Constitution]] mandates a quorum in order for business to be conducted.  Democrats (both when they have held control and when they have not) have used this provision to ignore their duty to represent their constituents, by physically leaving the state in order to keep legislation from passing, notably twice in 2021 (during both the regular session and the first special session called) when they were in opposition.  The latter move in July 2021 has kept needed legislation to reform Child Protective Services and to provide retired teachers a bonus check from passing.

==References==

==References==