State Rep. John Zerwas is the Texas House’s new Appropriations Committee chairman, and Rep. Dan Huberty is the new chairman of the House Public Education Committee.
Joe Straus
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Playing chicken with the “bathroom bill” in the Texas Legislature
The Texas Legislature is having a hard time with the “bathroom bill.” The Senate is trying to pull together the votes, and the House is trying to find some motivation. Both are waiting to see what the governor thinks.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Rising criticism threatens one-punch voting in Texas
Most states have dropped straight-ticket voting, but not Texas. There’s another attempt coming in the current legislative session, and it’s got some high-level supporters.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Texas, a legislative sideshow to the main act in D.C.
The Texas Legislature is primed to go, but this is going to be a session outside the limelight. The Texans are busy, but the spotlight is on the new administration in Washington, D.C.
Posted in
Public Education
Analysis: What we talk about when we talk about school vouchers
The debate over education savings accounts and other voucher programs is only peripherally about educating kids. It’s really a debate about money.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Texas leaders posturing in public for legislative advantage
Texas state leaders are debating several important issues in a very public way, delivering their messages to one another through rallies, press conferences, trade association meetings and the media. Get your popcorn ready.
Posted in
Politics
Straus seeks to publish efficiency report that Patrick wanted scrapped
House Speaker Joe Straus has asked a state agency to release its ideas for improving government efficiency. The request came on the heels of news that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had directed the board to do the exact opposite.
Posted in
Politics
Joe Straus: Legislators need to be careful when it comes to “bathroom bill”
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus told the Texas Association of Business that the “bathroom bill,” a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was not his most urgent concern for the 85th Legislative Session.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
In dueling budget proposals, Texas House and Senate billions apart
Texas House and Senate leaders are starting out the legislative session nearly $8 billion apart according in dueling budget proposals released Tuesday. Among the sticking points: spending on public education and border security.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Speaker Straus breaking a trend seen with his predecessors
House Speaker Joe Straus won a fifth term in that post on the first day of the legislative session. And unlike his predecessors, he’s more secure politically now than when he started in 2009.