Straus says House 'wouldn't be going' with revenue bill if there wasn't a deal

Speaker Joe Straus told reporters late Friday afternoon that the House "very soon" will take up the non-tax revenue bill, but he put a different spin on the state of negotiations between the two chambers than did Sen. Steve Ogden.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/kx7RWD

Wentworth: House Speaker's influence killed guns on campus amendment

Sen. Jeff Wentworth said the House effort to block his legislation Thursday that would allow guns on college campuses was "politically motivated" by undue influence from House Speaker Joe Straus.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/lMogxm

STATEMENT BY SPEAKER STRAUS ON CONTINUING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS

 http://dallasne.ws/k5bjM7

After another huddle, Perry, Straus & Dewhurst say: Closer to mega deal

The Big 3 and all 10 budget negotiators met for a half hour or so in Speaker Joe Straus' office. They just ended the huddle, and here's what two statewide elected Republicans had to say:
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: "We're close but we've got some more work we have to do. ... That's all I have to say."
Gov. Rick Perry: "They get closer every time they meet."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mKYOzt

Joe Straus: Play nice

Speaker Joe Straus kicked off the afternoon session making note of the stressful, 15-hour days that had just passed.
Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/j75Gcb
Straus' statement: http://dallasne.ws/k8OyN5

STATEMENT BY SPEAKER JOE STRAUS TO HOUSE MEMBERS

 http://dallasne.ws/k8OyN5

Farrar, House Dems' leader, predicts Straus will 'feel the repercussions'

Not sure exactly what Jessica Farrar meant in this post-midnight statement by the House Democratic Caucus (emphasis mine):
"If House Republicans feel that the only way they can be successful in a 101-49 majority is to continue to push legislation with no public input or debate, the one member of their caucus who will feel the repercussions the most is Speaker Straus."

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/je6a0E

Straus likely to tap Crownover as a budget negotiator, colleagues say

Speaker Joe Straus is widely expected to announce today that Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, will be one of five House members who negotiate the two-year state budget with five senators. On Thursday, Straus could be seen conferring with Crownover (right) at her desk on the House floor. Colleagues who spoke only on the condition they not be named said she's gotten the nod for what in any session is a very big assignment. In this one, it's huge.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/mgYNwx

Straus cautious on nine school board members' trust fund draw-down idea

Speaker Joe Straus has raised questions about what a $2 billion draw-down of money from an endowment would mean for public schools in the future, even if voters approve the idea.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gv4JQA

Straus on gambling - just to be clear

It's a given that any lawmaker who wants to pass a gambling bill through the Texas House wouldn't get any resistance from House Speaker Joe Straus. The San Antonio Republican's family has been in the horse-racing business for 80 years, a point he made clear to the students at the Texas Politics Project on the UT campus on Tuesday.
Asked about his position on a gambling bill, Straus was clear - to an extent.

Straus: http://dallasne.ws/h1F7Ri

Straus on $10b more in spending: Cue the laugh track

House Speaker Joe Straus sat down with Dr. James Henson, director of the UT Texas Politics Project, for about half an hour on Tuesday to talk about myriad subjects in a room full of grad students, interns, and a smattering of reporters.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/i4mkXX

Deal breaks impasse on using state’s rainy-day money

 AUSTIN — Three of the state’s top Republican leaders broke an impasse over spending rainy-day money Tuesday, agreeing to spend one-third of the $9.4 billion available — but no more.
Gov. Rick Perry approved using up to $3.2 billion of savings to cover the current year’s deficit, issuing a joint statement with Comptroller Susan Combs and House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/g4l13P

House Speaker Straus calls for civility among Texas lawmakers

 AUSTIN — House Speaker Joe Straus said Wednesday that he will insist upon civility in debates on even impassioned legislative issues, especially after having survived a re-election campaign where his Jewish faith became an issue.

Hoppe: http://dallasne.ws/hnSqiB

Did Straus stack the odds in the favor of gambling?

When The Dallas Morning News canvassed state lawmakers about whether they support expanding gambling in Texas, we found that the chances weren't looking good for legislation to allow slots at racetracks and resort-style casinos in Texas this session. But of the nine House members appointed to the Licensing & Administrative Prodedures committee, which oversees gambling legislation, only two told the News that they would definitely not support any expansion. Others on the committee supported gambling, were undecided or didn't respond.
Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/g2BK1X

Busted by Straus: Some locals, some Dem stars

 In today's committee assignments by Speaker Joe Straus, most but not all of the Dallas-Fort Worth members losing out on plum assignments were fellow Republicans who opposed Straus' re-election as speaker.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/gjGnYJ

Straus offers bouquet to 'Dean' Craddick

 It was obviously a rush job and English teachers might wince at some of the proclamation's diction. Still, House Speaker Joe Straus offered a gracious tribute to his predecessor, Tom Craddick, in announcing new committee assignments this afternoon.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/e2zK4N

And lo, it came to pass the Texas Jewish speaker fight makes Comedy Central

 Welch says a person's faith shouldn't disqualify them from holding office in Texas. Unless they're a Muslim.
Slater:  http://dallasne.ws/e2ntO5

Tea party adherents hail the 'Texas 15'

Here's a new Internet video from Women on the Wall  and several other conservative and tea party groups. It thanks the 15 House members who voted against Joe Straus' re-election as House speaker on Jan. 11. Straus, R-San Antonio, won a second term, 132-15. Eight of the dissenters are from North Texas.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/fGpC6K

Rep. Joe Straus formally re-elected as Texas House speaker

AUSTIN — Texas House Speaker Joe Straus won a second term in a lopsided election this afternoon. Straus, a San Antonio Republican, was chosen as speaker by a vote of 132-15, after his last GOP opponent, Rep. Ken Paxton of McKinney, said he wouldn’t permit his name to be placed in nomination.
Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hnQAnL

Farrar: Dems fended off anti-Straus folks

House Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Jessica Farrar of Houston just said her Democratic colleagues deserve credit for fending off tea party adherents who wanted to dethrone Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.

Garrett's got it covered: http://dallasne.ws/e0zzx2