Although Democrats will be prohibited from chairing the main legislative committees, the chamber voted to expand the powers they can have as vice chairs.

Democrats will serve as House committee vice chairs, which some lawmakers said harks back to the Texas tradition of power sharing. But vice chairs don’t have nearly the power enjoyed by chairs, who can push or kill legislation and are better positioned to pass legislation.

New Texas House rules passed on Thursday prevent members of the minority party from holding influential committee chair positions. This change breaks a long-standing tradition in the chamber — and could signal that a contentious legislative session lies ahead.

New proposed bills aim to increase pay for all state employees and provide the first cost-of-living-adjustment for retirees in 25 years.

The proposed House rules would, however, require committee vice chairmanships to be given to minority party members, who are outnumbered 88-62.

Conservative activists in the GOP caucus called any power sharing with the minority party a betrayal of Republican voters.

The bill, named for Laken Riley, a Georgia student killed by an immigrant, adds legislative muscle to President Trump’s immigration enforcement push.

While new House rules prevent Democrats from leading committees, it increases the power of the vice-chair position which will still give Democrats some say in legislation.

A healthy democracy has free and fair elections, robust civil liberties, multiparty competition and minimal corruption. Does Texas qualify?

Democrats will serve as House committee vice chairs, which some lawmakers said harks back to the Texas tradition of power sharing. But vice chairs don’t have nearly the power enjoyed by chairs, who can push or kill legislation and are better positioned to pass legislation.

The Texas House of Representatives decided to ban members of the minority party from chairing committees in a vote on Thursday. The vote came after months of Texas conservatives calling for House