Surfer dude, leader of House GOP caucus, credited with laid-back demeanor

Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, collected some kudoes from a hometown newspaper over the weekend. He also posed in swimtrunks and shirt and tie, with surfboard, to underscore his passion for surfing.
Taylor, chairman of the House Republican Caucus, may have more enemies among the tea party activists and the trial lawyers than this profile in The Galveston County Daily News suggested. But he is unquestionably affable and low key, as a judge who's one of his surfing buddies told the newspaper:

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/hFEM0T

Republicans say they aren't cruel, it's just tough love

House Republican Caucus Chairman Larry Taylor of Friendswood says Texans should understand that the House's GOP supermajority is simply being prudent -- not callous -- by cutting spending and avoiding higher taxes.
"It may be a form of tough love," Taylor said Friday morning, on the eve of floor debate of a two-year budget that cuts spending by nearly $23 billion.

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/i2xPxs

Taylor: No legal problems with caucus meeting

House Republican Caucus Chairman Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, has just told supporters of
Speaker Joe Straus that he sees no legal problems with holding a caucus meeting on Monday to possibly coalesce around "the Republican" candidate for speaker. (My quotes, not his.)

Garrett: http://dallasne.ws/dOffPF