AUSTIN, Texas -- Gov. Greg Abbott has been pushing that this week he hopes to pivot toward economic recovery. But during a news conference Monday at the State Capitol, he said reopening the Texas economy will be a slow process.

"This is not gonna be a rush-the-gates, everybody-is-able-to-suddenly-reopen-all-at-once. We have to understand that we must reopen in a way in which we are able to stimulate the economy while at the same time, make sure that we contain the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Abbott said.

In an interview on Capital Tonight Monday, Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Lake Jackson, agreed with Abbott saying the plans need to be strategic.

“We’ve got to get businesses back to being in business. With that being said, the governor will tell you his plans. This is not going to be flipping a light switch on,” Bonnen said. “We must begin with an intelligent, medically-driven strategy to bring business back to life.”

Rep. Bonnen  also discussed the possibility of reopening schools and a push from Democrats for vote-by-mail amid the pandemic.

“Vote by mail is certainly an idea worth considering. But my bigger concern is not even vote by mail. The whole point of an election is not simply casting a ballot. It’s having the debate and discussion of ideas. Our election should be held when people are allowed to hear from candidates and their views,” he said.

Click the video link above to watch our full interview with Speaker Bonnen.