Texas Senate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Texas Senate |
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|---|---|
| Texas State Legislature | |
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| Type | |
| Type |
Upper house of the Texas Legislature
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Term limits
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None |
| History | |
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New session started
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January 8, 2019 |
| Leadership | |
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President Pro Tempore
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Joan Huffman (R)
Since May 27, 2019 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 31 |
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Political groups
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Majority
Minority
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Length of term
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4 years |
| Authority | Article 3, Texas Constitution |
| Salary | $7,200/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| First-past-the-post | |
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Last election
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November 3, 2020 (16 seats) |
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Next election
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November 8, 2022 (15 seats) |
| Redistricting | Legislative Control |
| Meeting place | |
 |
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| State Senate Chamber Texas State Capitol Austin, Texas |
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| Website | |
| Texas State Senate | |
The Texas Senate is an important part of the Texas Legislature. It's like one of two main groups that make laws for the state of Texas. It has 31 members, and each one represents a different area of Texas.
Senators serve for four years at a time. There are no limits on how many times they can be re-elected. The Texas Senate meets at the Texas State Capitol building in Austin, Texas. Currently, the Republican Party has the most members in the Senate.
Contents
What Does the Texas Senate Do?
The Texas Senate is the "upper house" of the state's lawmaking body. This means it works with the other group, the House of Representatives, to create and pass laws. These laws affect everyone living in Texas.
Senators also approve people chosen for important state jobs. They help decide how the state's money is spent. They work hard to make sure Texas runs smoothly.
Who Leads the Texas Senate?
The main leader of the Texas Senate is called the Lieutenant Governor. This person is also known as the President of the Senate. The current Lieutenant Governor is Dan Patrick. He is a member of the Republican Party.
There is also a President Pro Tempore. This person leads the Senate when the Lieutenant Governor is not there. Joan Huffman is the current President Pro Tempore. She is also a Republican.
How Many Members Are There?
The Texas Senate has 31 members. Each member is called a senator. They represent different parts of Texas, called districts. These districts are drawn on a map so that each senator represents about the same number of people.
The number of members from each political party can change over time. As of early 2019, there were 19 Republican senators and 12 Democratic senators. This means the Republican Party had the most members.
How Senators Are Chosen
Senators are chosen by voters in their districts. Elections for the Texas Senate happen every two years. However, not all senators are up for election at the same time. This helps keep some experienced people in the Senate.
Senators serve four-year terms. This means they are elected for four years before they have to run for election again. The way they are elected is called "first-past-the-post." This means the person who gets the most votes wins.
Images for kids
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Inside view of the Texas Senate chamber, where senators meet to discuss and vote on laws.
See also
In Spanish: Senado de Texas para niños
