AUSTIN, Texas – As the 89th Texas Legislature begins in Austin on Tuesday, lawmakers will again resume debate around familiar topics gaining steam across the state.

The Texas Legislature consists of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber with 150 members, and the Senate, which is the upper chamber with 31 members.

KSAT sat down with two political science professors in San Antonio to discuss some of the top issues likely to permeate throughout the Republican-led session.

Jon Taylor, department chair of political science and geography at the University of Texas at San Antonio, pointed to similarities in the dysfunction between lawmakers in Austin and Washington, D.C.

“It’s almost as though Austin has turned into a mini version of Washington, DC, particularly in terms of the US House versus the Texas House in the sense of they seem to be dysfunctional in trying to find a speaker, massive fights over that (and) factionalism within the Republican party,” Taylor said.

Electing a speaker is likely to be one of the first things on lawmakers’ agendas in the Texas House.

Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), pushed out by other party members, will soon give up the gavel.

Two candidates have drawn near-constant conversation in legislative circles as ideal candidates: David Cook (R-Mansfield) and Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). A third candidate, Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos (D-Richardson) has not garnered as much attention.

While it is more than likely that a Republican will assume Phelan’s role, Trinity University Political Science Professor Juan Sepulveda said the question is much more about what kind of Republican will take charge and what they would want to push forward.

“This is really a battle within the Republican Party,” Sepulveda said. “This is not a question of ideology. This is not about being conservative or moderate or liberal. They are both very conservative leaders. But this is really about power.”

After a speaker is elected, members of the House will offer amendments to and vote on House rules that will define governance for the body’s work.

In a slight decrease from the last legislative session, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar projected Monday state lawmakers would have about $195 billion for the 2026-2028 budget, according to reporting by the Texas Tribune.

Throughout the session, lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget without overspending what is available.

Governor Greg Abbott will announce his list of priority items later, determining which legislation can be moved in the session’s first 60 days.

As the session begins and committees begin to hear bills, we can expect familiar topics around school vouchers, immigration and property taxes.

Tayor thinks some of San Antonio’s needs will be at the forefront, too.

“There is a real need to push and to think long-term, planning for things such as water, “Taylor said. ”Additionally, I think an area for at least an issue for San Antonio is to look for state support for in particular for transportation, public transportation, not just building freeways, but to build public transit systems.”

Another piece of legislation that could affect us locally is a bill filed by San Antonio Senator José Menéndez to address dangerous dog incidents.

“This is not a Democratic Party political issue. This is something we’ve been kind of seeing as a community. So. And he’s got and he’s been there long. He’s got good relationships. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s able to kind of get something done.

Related coverage on KSAT:

DALLAS – Many in North Texas are working to mobilize to help people in California who have lost everything in the wildfires. 

The fires have killed at least 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes. 

North Texas Volunteers in California

Volunteers from North Texas are on the front lines working to help people sift through the ashes while others are working to help Los Angeles make room for hundreds of displaced dogs and cats.

Local perspective:

A group of volunteers known as Texans on Mission arrived in California early Sunday morning. 

“Having volunteers wash those clothes while you get a warm meal is like getting a hug from people you don’t know,” said spokesperson Rand Jenkins.

Texans on Mission are assessing the best locations to set up. 

“Our next step is ash out. That is the most emotionally draining,” Jenkins said. “You are sitting in the ashes of someone’s home and looking for things they want to find: memorabilia, photos, jewelry. You scoop a bucket of ashes and sift and hope those things were not completely turned to ash. Once you find it, they cry and tell you why it’s important.”

Helping Overcrowded Pet Shelters

The Humane Society of North Texas and Wings of Rescue are working to help Los Angeles clear its shelters of homeless pets to make room for the hundreds needing to be reunited with owners. 

Cassie Davidson is the senior director of both organizations.

“I flew into Los Angeles on Friday night. And when we were flying over the mountains, it was so dark outside. It was dark in the airplane, and then it wasn’t,” she recalled. “The skies were just lit up. It was like an inferno. You could see the wildfires from the air, and my heart just sank.”

Davidson says they were able to fly out more than 160 pets over the weekend.

“Shelters like the Pasadena Humane Society are 500% over capacity right now,” she said. “They’ve got so many medical cases coming in that we have got to get these pets cleared out that have been waiting for adoption.”

What you can do:

Churches are calling on members to give financially. 

“There are several churches we partner with in the LA area that have been partners with us for the past 10-20 years,” said Concord Church Pastor Bryan Carter. “We wanted to do a special offering up and above your regular offering to be a blessing.”

Davidson says many owners were separated from their pets when they were at work as the fires moved into their neighborhood. She says there is an emergency need for foster homes in North Texas to help. 

“There is a plea to the community of North Texas,” she said. “If you could open your home. if you could donate, this is how you can make a difference.”

More than 150 homeless dogs and cats will be arriving from Los Angeles in North Texas Sunday afternoon. 

If you are able to provide a foster home, contact the Humane Society of North Texas.

They also need Hills Science Diet food and pet beds. Those donations can be dropped off at any Humane Society of North Texas location. 

The Red Cross is also taking donations for those affected by the California wildfires.

TEXAS CITY, Texas – A Texas City family is forced to bury two of its loved ones Monday morning after investigators say a teenager accidentally shot and killed his brother.

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Police are still gathering information, but said they were called to a home on 10th Avenue and 3rd Street a little after 1:15 a.m.

Texas City PD Chief Landis Cravens said it all started when an unidentified 15-year-old accidentally shot his 17-year-old brother, and the boy’s father witnessed the entire incident and tried to save him.

However, the chief said the father suffered a heart attack and died as a result.

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As of this writing, no additional information has been shared, but an investigation remains underway.