Dan Patrick

Since the 89th Legislature kicked off in January, the Texas Senate has passed nearly 200 bills. But as of Wednesday morning, their counterparts in the House have only passed 16. Why is that?

The Legislature is considering bills that would lift long-standing restrictions on how Texas’ panel can investigate maternal deaths and near-misses.

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.S. without legal status.

Each session, the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker prioritize low-number bills for passage.

Patrick, a Republican from Houston who holds the most powerful position in the state Legislature, said he believes his priorities could be accomplished if the state is “smart” in how it uses its over $27 billion surplus.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick defeated Democrat Mike Collier by 10 percentage points and remains one of the most powerful politicians in the state, with the ability to help craft the next year's legislative agenda.

Former Republican-turned-moderate Democrat Mike Collier will once again challenge Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — one of the most powerful Republicans in Texas.

The Florida law prohibits teachers from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity to kids below the fourth grade.

Patrick urged former governor Rick Perry to mount a challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a third term. He’s taken the already considerable power concentrated in the state’s No. 2 job to another level, forcing opponents from races and tightening his grip on the Senate.

In a tweet, Patrick said he supported Abbott calling lawmakers back to Austin to increase the penalty for illegal voting and approve a “forensic audit bill.”