From the first day of the session on Jan. 8 to adjournment sine die on May 27, The Texas Tribune photojournalists have been all over the Capitol and its grounds, covering the 86th Texas Legislature day in and day out. Thousands of pictures were taken to grace hundreds of stories. Here are a few of them.
Left: Opening day of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature saw state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, elected House speaker by unanimous vote. Right: Bonnen gives his first speech as speaker on Jan. 8.
Bob Daemmrich and Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
Left: The “Children of the Confederacy” plaque hangs on a wall on the first floor of the eastern side of the Capitol on Jan. 11. Right: Dr. Alma Arredondo addresses the State Preservation Board at the Capitol on Jan. 25. Arredondo argued the state erred in removing a Confederate plaque that claimed the Civil War wasn’t over slavery.
Emree Weaver and Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
Left: State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, on the Senate floor on May 15. Right: Gov. Greg Abbott with state representatives on the House Floor on April 30.
Bob Daemmrich and Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune
Left: Texas state Rep. Toni Rose, D-Dallas, right, chatted with other house members on May 7. Right: Jordan Schwikert, Alyssa Baumann and Tasha Schwikert, three gymnasts who say they were abused by Larry Nassar, testify on House Bill 3809 during the Senate State Affairs Committee on May 13.
Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune
Left: State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, listened to testimony from state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, on House Joint Resolution 3. Huberty sought to postpone a vote on the bill related to a sales tax increase May 7. Right: The sergeant-at-arms’ team prepared bills May 21 marked on the calendar for the next day.
Miguel Gutierrez Jr. and Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune
Left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dais on the Senate floor on May 25. Last: House Speaker Dennis Bonnen signed paperwork on the House floor on May 25.
Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
Left: State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, oversaw the successful passing of the state budget in the Senate on Monday. Right: Eliana Peña wore her quinceañera dress for photos at the Texas Capitol on Sunday.