Dade Phelan

The bill has brought together an unlikely coalition of Republicans and Democrats and may keep lawmakers in Austin even longer.

Abbott’s agenda for the new special session includes — once again — school vouchers, school safety, and border-related bills.

Abbott's announcement Tuesday suggests a renewed effort to divert public funds to private schools. Phelan’s office stopped short of calling it an agreement, saying the Republican speaker “looks forward to having robust discussions on school funding, teacher pay, and other critical issues with his House colleagues."

After sparring over the attorney general's impeachment, state lawmakers return to Austin next month for a special session focused on school vouchers. It could get messy.

Despite the Senate moving its plan forward Wednesday, the measure seems destined for deadlock. A Texas House panel also passed its proposal to cut property taxes — which is significantly different from the Senate’s.

The second special session will focus solely on cutting property taxes.

Phelan announced the formation of a House committee that could set the tone in favor of vouchers ahead of an expected special session on education. The move comes weeks after Abbott sided with Phelan on a plan to lower property taxes.

This means special session is almost guaranteed. None of this may surprise you — the 2023 legislative session has been marred by controversy and historic moves.

The clipped video shows Phelan speaking after more than 11 hours of floor debate. Before and after that moment, his speech appears fine. The attorney general also asked for an investigation into Phelan for “violation of House rules, state law, and for conduct unbecoming his position.”

Last session, in 2021, Phelan appointed 14 Democrats and 21 Republicans as committee chairs. This year only nine Democrats will lead committees.

At the start of his second term leading the lower chamber, Dade Phelan talked to reporters about several legislative issues that will be decided this year.

A report last month found lapses in the state’s ankle monitor policies, which it said led to the three deaths, including a shooting inside Dallas Methodist Medical Center that killed two.