Phelan guided the House through the 2021 legislative sessions, which some observers called “the most conservative” in state history. Lawmakers passed new laws banning almost all abortions and allowing permitless carry of handguns.

The House and Senate have been at odds over important issues in recent years, but Abbott said he already saw a “coalescence about how to resolve the big issues we are facing.”

This article was written by ZACH DESPART AND JAMES BARRAGÁN of The Texas Tribune.  The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.  This article originally appeared at: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/10/texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan/