As the presiding officer of the Senate, Perry sits in another powerful position. He appoints all chairs and members of committees and has control over scheduling bills to be considered on the Senate floor. He plans to emphasize education during his administration. Issues of debate during the November elections, including the use of publicly funded vouchers to pay for private school tuition, could find their way to the Senate floor. Perry stresses other economic issues, like tax breaks and development of the state economy, as key goals this session.
New legislation is already in the works.
Texas senators have been filing bills since November 9. The 76th Legislature faces many issues from last session, including an initiative and referendum bill charting out a process to pass legislation through voter approval and abortion-related legislation that sparked emotional debates two years ago. The results of interim studies and committees are visible in pre-filed bills. Senator Chris Harris of Arlington sponsors a bill to authorize title auditors to audit and review escrow and trust accounts of title insurance companies. A proposed constitutional amendment allows the governor to make appointments to fill vacancies in the office of district judges and in the offices of appellate justices and judges with nonpartisan retention elections of those officials .