The Texas Tribune has a brief write up on the Speaker. Whatever move against him that was going to happen against him fizzled very quickly. His approach to the session contrasts sharply with both Perry and Dewhurst, especially Perry:
On Tuesday, during his acceptance speech, he called on lawmakers from both parties to work together to make what he called the “core responsibilities of government” a priority.
He said the state’s biggest challenges were “not fiscal in nature” and pointed to its rapidly growing population and changing demographics, with increasing numbers of children with limited English skills and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in public schools.
The remark contrasted with Gov. Rick Perry’s speech that day, which focused heavily on the need to keep spending down. But Straus has stopped short of saying whether the $5.4 billion sliced from public schools during the last legislative session should be restored — a position that would put him directly at odds with the governor, who said recently that the state’s financing for public education has been “pretty phenomenal.”
Straus’ political resilience so far is in part because of the makeup of his district, which includes the well-heeled Alamo Heights neighborhood. His constituents, while conservative, tend toward mainstream Republicanism. He has also learned to wield the power of his position while earning a reputation among his house colleagues as a largely fair and reasonable leader.
Very little is said about ambitious Straus might have beyond the House. Perhaps this explains his positioning on issues. He has a safe seat - the Tea Party probably cannot touch him. Democrats don't mind having him as Speaker - which gives him significant support for the Speakership. And if he is uninterested in higher office - unlike Perry - he doesn't have to work to gain the electoral support of a vocal faction.
He seems to be an unusual figure in today's Texas politics.
Paul Burka writes that Straus seems ready to start leading the House and that Perry sounded like he was mailing in his speech.
On Tuesday, during his acceptance speech, he called on lawmakers from both parties to work together to make what he called the “core responsibilities of government” a priority.
He said the state’s biggest challenges were “not fiscal in nature” and pointed to its rapidly growing population and changing demographics, with increasing numbers of children with limited English skills and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in public schools.
The remark contrasted with Gov. Rick Perry’s speech that day, which focused heavily on the need to keep spending down. But Straus has stopped short of saying whether the $5.4 billion sliced from public schools during the last legislative session should be restored — a position that would put him directly at odds with the governor, who said recently that the state’s financing for public education has been “pretty phenomenal.”
Straus’ political resilience so far is in part because of the makeup of his district, which includes the well-heeled Alamo Heights neighborhood. His constituents, while conservative, tend toward mainstream Republicanism. He has also learned to wield the power of his position while earning a reputation among his house colleagues as a largely fair and reasonable leader.
Very little is said about ambitious Straus might have beyond the House. Perhaps this explains his positioning on issues. He has a safe seat - the Tea Party probably cannot touch him. Democrats don't mind having him as Speaker - which gives him significant support for the Speakership. And if he is uninterested in higher office - unlike Perry - he doesn't have to work to gain the electoral support of a vocal faction.
He seems to be an unusual figure in today's Texas politics.
Paul Burka writes that Straus seems ready to start leading the House and that Perry sounded like he was mailing in his speech.
