After fire deaths grow, Texas prisons ask for safety funding.

Plus: Texas Legislature back this week. Third lane planned for Grand Parkway. Texans win season finale, lose No. 1 NFL draft pick.

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View in browser NEW YEAR SALE: Get 3 Months of the Local News Source You Need for Only 99¢. Subscribe Today. By Brady Stone Weekend Digital Producer Brady.Stone@chron.com New year, new lege. The Texas Legislature returns to Austin this week after more than a year away, and Republicans find themselves with all of the power and a projected $27 billion in leftover cash. This colossal budget surplus opens the door for popular but costly initiatives like property tax relief and infrastructure projects. Although the GOP agenda this legislative session is not yet fully realized, Republicans have made clear they plan to build on the conservative policies enacted in 2021, writes Jasper Scherer. It'll be partly cloudy today with highs in the upper 60s. Should I go ahead put away my winter clothes?     Today's top story   Photo: Eli Durst After fire deaths grow, Texas prisons ask for safety funding. The budgetary plea comes after the Chronicle and The Marshall Project published an investigation into the death of Jacinto De La Garza, who burned alive in an East Texas lockup without working fire alarms.   Five other stories to read today   Grand Parkway traffic prompts plans for third lane. Massive development along the toll way prompts Texas transportation officials to begin plans to widen Grand Parkway less than 10 years after it opened.   Why Houston businesses are expressing optimism about 2023. The results of a small, anecdotal and wholly unscientific survey found a broadly optimistic cross-section of companies in industries that drive the regional economy.    Why allow gas providers to leave Texans in the cold? [Editorial] After natural gas providers once again failed to keep some Texas cities warm during a recent freeze, it's time the state took basic steps to ensure better reliability.    Smith: A totally Texans finish. Win a game, lose NFL's top pick. When Texans really needed a loss, Davis Mills and Lovie Smith pull out all the stops and get a victory.   This Houstonian started a dyslexia school in her garage. Tammy Spencer launched the Dyslexia School of Houston in 2020 from her own garage as classrooms closed and schools turned to online instruction during the pandemic, exacerbating challenges for many students with learning disabilities.    One last thing ...   Ever heard of Hypnotoad? No? Then chances are you aren't a TCU fan. Ahead of today's national championship game, TCU football fans have made the Futurama-born amphibian the team's unofficial mascot and a viral sensation. Tune into the game today at 6:30 to watch the Horned Frogs try for their first national football title since 1938. Have a wonderful Monday! – Brady                 GET 3 MONTHS OF THE LOCAL NEWS SOURCE YOU NEED. Unlimited Digital Access for Only 99¢ Act Now No Commitment | Cancel Anytime Unsubscribe  |  Manage Preferences  |  Privacy Notice Houston Chronicle 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027 © 2023 Hearst Communications