2009 Legislative Session Underway
The 81st session of the Texas Legislature convened at noon January 13th.
Lawmakers face two big priorities in this session: balancing the budget when state revenue is projected to drop and paying for the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
The first day of the session, lines into the House and Senate galleries stretched down the stairs and through the hallway in the Capitol. Friends, family, and other onlookers came early to get a spot for the opening gavel.
It was a big day for the handful of new lawmakers being sworn in for the first time. There will also be a new speaker in the Texas House. San Antonio Republican Joe Straus takes the spot after a brief but frenzied battle to oust three-term speaker Tom Craddick.
