What’s the difference between the state House and Senate?Just like at the federal level, the Texas State Legislature is divided into a House and Senate. The Texas House is comprised of 150 members while the Senate houses just 31 members. As a result a House Rep represents significantly less Texans than a State Senator, thus it is in the best interest of a concerned citizen to contact their House Rep in the event of a pressing issue.How often are House and Senate members reelected at the state level?House members serve 2 year terms while Senators serve 4 year terms.What does the Speaker of the House do?The speaker is elected by the other Representatives in the House and presides over official House of Representative activity, including maintaining floor order during debate, recognizing legislators prior to speaking and ruling on procedural issues. A speaker is chosen at the beginning of each new legislature. The speaker may also establish committees, appoint members to committees and direct relevant legislation to the review of specific committees.What does the Lieutenant Governor do?The Lt. Governor Serves as the President of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as the leader of the Legislative Budget Board. In regards to his or her duties for the state Senate, the Lt. Governor presides over the Senate, appoints committee chairs and members, assigns bills to committees, recognizes members during debate and makes procedural rulings, essential serving the same role as the Speaker of the House, though the Lt. Governor is elected by voting citizens not Senate members. He or she is also responsible for assuming the powers of state Governor if the Governor is unable to discharge the office.