The latest Joe Straus news from The Texas Tribune.
Straus, who is Jewish, publicly confirmed the conversation for the first time Thursday. It had previously been reported by Texas Monthly. Full Story
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Readers sometimes ask us if the outcomes in governing are predetermined and whether civic engagement makes a difference. There are plenty of examples of Texans influencing lawmakers’ decisions. Full Story
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In a new court filing, the attorney general's office said the governor properly used his veto power when he nixed funding for the Legislature in response to House Democrats walkout over a Republican priority bill on elections. Full Story
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In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to former speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus about life as a civilian, what he’d do about repricing electricity, the conservative case for expanding Medicaid, why he didn’t vote for Donald Trump — twice — and whether he’ll run for something again. Full Story
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In a state that has been closely tied to conservative politics for decades, some Texas politicians are edging into a political desert: the middle. Full Story
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Straus' op-ed comes a month after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for three employment discrimination cases in which a person was fired for being gay or transgender. Full Story
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With Dennis Bonnen not seeking another term, state representatives are once again at the start of a race for Speaker of the Texas House. This could take a while. Full Story
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Texas House speakers come and go. So do redistricting sessions in the Texas Legislature. And maybe — just maybe — there's a relationship between those two cycles. Full Story
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As one of the most rambunctious officeholders in Texas leaves the political scene, one of the quietest is swooping back in. Full Story
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On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Aman, Brandon and Cassi about the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland’s departure from the Texas Lege and former House Speaker Joe Straus' new PAC. Full Story
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A statement from the political action committee, called Texas Forever Forward, said, "Texas should embrace diversity and promote inclusive, non-discriminatory policies and laws." Full Story
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The conservative groups who made a feast of former House Speaker Joe Straus for 10 years have a new target: Straus successor Dennis Bonnen. Full Story
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The chamber voted on a resolution that moves misconduct complaints to a committee with subpoena power. Full Story
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Between the general election results and the changing management of the Texas House — where Joe Straus is retiring and Dennis Bonnen is poised to be the next speaker — the state government is getting a reboot. Full Story
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Everybody in the Texas Capitol has known about a factually impaired Confederate memorial plaque for more than a year. So why is it still on the wall? Full Story
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In a wide-ranging conversation with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith, Straus launched jabs at two fellow Republicans: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and President Donald Trump. He declined to weigh in on who should succeed him as the leader of the lower chamber. Full Story
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In the pilot episode of his new podcast, Point of Order, Evan Smith sits down with Speaker Straus the morning after the midterms to talk everything from the balance of power in the Texas House to President Trump's tweets. Full Story
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The head of the little-known Texas Legislative Budget Board retired this week, adding a coda to years of differences between the agency's two masters — the Texas House and the Texas Senate. Full Story
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The race to replace Speaker Joe Straus is the talk of the Texas House, but it's just the most visible part of a power shift that affects every state representative's standing. Full Story
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State Rep. Travis Clardy has this in common with every other candidate for speaker of the Texas House at this point: His is the only sure vote he's got for that contest. Full Story
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