Following a bruising special session that ended a day earlier than expected, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus drew sharp criticism from some fellow Republicans as well as questions about his future as head of the lower chamber.
Joe Straus
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Politics
House Republicans to caucus on speaker rules
Texas House Republicans will meet early Wednesday to discuss whether to require members of their caucus to choose a speaker candidate — then stand behind their pick when the vote goes to the full House in January 2019.
Posted inState Government
Texas Legislature sends another tree bill to Abbott
Days after approving an amended version of a House bill on tree regulations, the Senate voted to reverse itself late Monday night, rolling back two amendments that House Speaker Joe Straus had rejected.
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Public Education
Special session coming down to school finance, property taxes
House and Senate negotiators will have the next two days remaining in the current special legislative session to hammer out their differences on legislation tackling property taxes, school finance and other items still in play.
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Politics
With 8 days left in special session, Texas House and Senate remain far apart
Not a single measure has made it to the governor’s desk despite a steady drumbeat from his office urging lawmakers to go “20 for 20.” A “bathroom bill” is on life support, but a property tax measure still has momentum, supporters say.
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State Government
Straus and Patrick meet as special session dwindles
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Joe Straus had their first one-on-one meeting in months Monday afternoon.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Hopes of going 20 for 20 in special session circle the drain
In his first special session as governor of Texas, Greg Abbott is watching his hopes for 20 wins on 20 agenda items fall victim to the same legislative discord that marred the regular session earlier this year.
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Politics
Straus: Abbott should include ethics reform in special session
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is voicing agreement with two House members who want Gov. Greg Abbott to expand the special session agenda to include ethics reform.
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State Government
Halfway through special session, Patrick wants “better communications” with House
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick marked the halfway point of the special session Tuesday by calling for “better communications” with the House, which has moved much slower on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda than Patrick’s Senate has.
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Politics
Here are 5 takeaways from the first half of the special session
At the likely halfway point of a 30-day special session, the Texas House and Senate are taking very different approaches to the governor’s sprawling agenda, and they could be headed for another standoff on a so-called “bathroom bill.”