The veteran president of the Texas Senate and the new speaker of the House did not start out on the same page.

AUSTIN – Shortly after Lubbock Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows was elected Texas House speaker, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick questioned the legitimacy of his victory and issued a legislative challenge. Perhaps it was a threat. Pass conservative measures or else, Patrick suggested in a social media post and news release.

The state budget, school vouchers and a THC ban topped Patrick’s list. His other top goals include raising the property tax exemption for homeowners, improving electric and water infrastructure, and aiding the federal government with the deportation of people who are in the U.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has long been a leading conservative voice in Texas. The stalwart Republican says he doesn’t yet know if Burrows will impact his hopes for a conservative agenda, but he expressed concern.

Dustin Burrows on his election as Speaker of the Texas House of ... and the Lubbock Republican’s gesture to work across the aisle, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released a statement Tuesday expressing disappointment at the results, writing that Burrows ...

Meanwhile in the Panhandle, Republicans were less excited that Burrows won the speaker contest thanks largely to Democrats.

Dustin Burrows as their new speaker after a month ... Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Even though House members, not the public, vote for speaker, the fight had turned into a statewide ...

DALLAS — The election of State Representative Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock ... Speaker of the majority party,” Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told us on Inside Texas Politics.

The state budget, school vouchers and a THC ban topped Patrick’s list. His other top goals include raising the property tax exemption for homeowners, improving electric and water infrastructure, and aiding the federal government with the deportation of people who are in the U.

The education savings account package is the first bill to be sent to the Senate floor this year, reflecting urgency from Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to pass the legislation after similar proposals died during the 2023 legislative session.

Restrict bad books, help with deportations, infuse religion in schools and provide property tax relief – these are among the Patrick priorities.

Democrats will serve as House committee vice chairs, which some lawmakers said harks back to the Texas tradition of power sharing. But vice chairs don't have nearly the power enjoyed by chairs, who can push or kill legislation and are better positioned to pass legislation.