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===Legislative===
===Legislative===
The Texas Legislature is a bicameral body, consisting of 150 members in the House of Representatives (the lower chamber) and 31 members in the Senate (the upper chamber). The House is presided over by the Speaker who is elected from among the House members (and who, by tradition, does not vote on legislation), while the Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor who is elected by the voters (separately from the Governor, and who votes only in cases of a tie vote).
The Texas Legislature is a bicameral body, consisting of 150 members in the House of Representatives (the lower chamber) and 31 members in the Senate (the upper chamber). The House is presided over by the Speaker who is elected from among the House members (and who, by tradition, does not vote on legislation other than major items such as the General Appropriations Act), while the Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor who is elected by the voters (separately from the Governor, and who votes only in cases of a tie vote).
The Legislature meets every other year (in odd-numbered years) for only 140 days, beginning on the second Tuesday in January. Notably, unlike other states, the Legislature cannot call itself into special session; only the Governor can do so (and can do so as often as desired).
The Legislature meets every other year (in odd-numbered years) for only 140 days, beginning on the second Tuesday in January. Notably, unlike other states, the Legislature cannot call itself into special session; only the Governor can do so (and can do so as often as desired). As such, the budget/appropriations act covers a two-year period beginning on September 1 of the year passed and ending August 31 two years thereafter.
From time to time, a large number of legislators (enough to deny a quorum) have left the state to "protest" a planned bill; in every case it has been Democrats who have done this.
From time to time, a large number of legislators (enough to deny a quorum) have left the state to "protest" a planned bill; in every case it has been Democrats who have done this.