Texas Legislature Opens 2013 Session

The Texas Legislature starts session Tuesday with 140 days to figure out how to pay for public schools after slashing $5.4 billion from classrooms in 2011, whether unemployment recipients should be drug-tested and perhaps confront a water crisis under the strain of a rapidly growing population.

That says nothing about the significant political backdrop of the 83rd legislative session that is poised to renew hot-button issues over abortion access and gun laws.

Not only will this be among the most inexperienced Legislatures in recent history -- there are 43 freshman in the 150-member House, the most in four decades -- but Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are out to reassert their power following failed runs for higher offices last year.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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