Joe Straus

[KD5NRH]

OK, anybody got something along those lines that we can use as a general anti-Straus letter?

[BigGuy]

Just contacted George lavender, District 1, encouraging him to support Scott Turner over Joe Straus as Speaker of the House.

[Bladed]

Is it better for an elected official to take a quixotic stand that renders him or her legislatively impotent or to accept the reality of the situation and search for ways to work within the circumstances that exists?

Because Joe Straus (presumably) has the support of all 52 Democrats, he needs the support of just 24 Republicans to win reelection to the Speaker's seat. Any Republican who challenges him will need the support of 76 Republicans. The math simply doesn't support making an issue of ousting Straus. Any House member who forces the issue will only succeed in cheating his or her constituents out of having a Representative who can pass bills and impact key committee decisions. Deeply conservative Republicans like Giovanni Capriglione are wise to focus on working with the Speaker they have.

So there are 150 members in the Texas house, 52 are democrats and 98 are republican. Couldn't we just get mainstream support on one republican candidate and boom! Done! Right? If the dems can rally behind one candidate, why can't the republicans?

The Republicans have rallied behind one candidate--Joe Straus.

You seem to think that more than three-quarters of House Republicans want Joe Straus gone. The reality is that many Republicans like having Straus as Speaker. The genius of the Democrats' strategy is that they rallied behind a moderate Republican, thereby dividing the Republicans between those who want moderate leadership and those who want hard-right leadership. It only takes 24 Republicans who want moderate leadership, to reelect Straus to the Speaker's seat.

[Bladed]

Just contacted George lavender, District 1, encouraging him to support Scott Turner over Joe Straus as Speaker of the House.

George Lavender won't be voting for Speaker. He lost his primary race last spring. Gary VanDeaver will be the new Representative for Texas House District 1.

[mojo84]

Is it better for an elected official to take a quixotic stand that renders him or her legislatively impotent or to accept the reality of the situation and search for ways to work within the circumstances that exists?

Because Joe Straus (presumably) has the support of all 52 Democrats, he needs the support of just 24 Republicans to win reelection to the Speaker's seat. Any Republican who challenges him will need the support of 76 Republicans. The math simply doesn't support making an issue of ousting Straus. Any House member who forces the issue will only succeed in cheating his or her constituents out of having a Representative who can pass bills and impact key committee decisions. Deeply conservative Republicans like Giovanni Capriglione are wise to focus on working with the Speaker they have.

So there are 150 members in the Texas house, 52 are democrats and 98 are republican. Couldn't we just get mainstream support on one republican candidate and boom! Done! Right? If the dems can rally behind one candidate, why can't the republicans?

The Republicans have rallied behind one candidate--Joe Straus.

You seem to think that more than three-quarters of House Republicans want Joe Straus gone. The reality is that many Republicans like having Straus as Speaker. The genius of the Democrats' strategy is that they rallied behind a moderate Republican, thereby dividing the Republicans between those who want moderate leadership and those who want hard-right leadership. It only takes 24 Republicans who want moderate leadership, to reelect Straus to the Speaker's seat.

If I recall correctly, it was 11 Republicans and then enough democrats that rallied around him and got him elected to speaker originally. Since then, in my opinion, he holds the loyalty from the democrats and fear from reprisal from the Republicans that keeps him in the position.

[BigGuy]

Just contacted George lavender, District 1, encouraging him to support Scott Turner over Joe Straus as Speaker of the House.

George Lavender won't be voting for Speaker. He lost his primary race last spring. Gary VanDeaver will be the new Representative for Texas House District 1.

Thanks, I'll contact the right person.

[chasfm11]

Here is an interesting view on Strauss

http://agendawise.com/blog-and-articles ... -the-votes

Agendawise.com by Weston Hicks 11/14/14

Speaker Straus has already let it be known in Austin that he will kill conservative bills next session. In doing this, Straus attaches a price to even writing a conservative bill. So, many of the things conservative Texans desperately want, from school vouchers, to spending limits, to zero based budgeting, to business regulation reform, to pro-life advancement, and many others, will never be written if Straus is Speaker.

My guess is that most of the pro-gun bills will fall victim, too, just as they did last session. The Democrats don't want to have their "no" votes on gun related matters used against them so the easy out is that they never come to a vote.

[Hindenburg]

It's simple. He's going to be Speaker again because the liberals in both parties will vote for him. If you didn't oppose his supporters in the primaries, you have yourself to blame if conservative issues die on the vine.

[Hindenburg]

This bears repeating. http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/02/16/Shining-Light-On-House-Speaker-Joe-Straus

The Wall Street Journal recently noted that state government spending in Texas increased 25 percent from 2011 to 2013. At the same time, bills generally viewed as conservative priorities, including constitutional amendments to cap spending, expanded school choice, bans on welfare for illegal aliens and on-campus carry, have languished in committee one session after another.

"51% of the laws sent to the governor’s desk from the House were Democrat-written or co-written. This means the MINORITY party in the House, outnumbered by nearly 2-1, was the MAJORITY when it came to laws passed. How can this be? There is one probable answer: Speaker of the House Joe Straus."

[mojo84]

This bears repeating. http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texa ... Joe-Straus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Wall Street Journal recently noted that state government spending in Texas increased 25 percent from 2011 to 2013. At the same time, bills generally viewed as conservative priorities, including constitutional amendments to cap spending, expanded school choice, bans on welfare for illegal aliens and on-campus carry, have languished in committee one session after another.

"51% of the laws sent to the governor’s desk from the House were Democrat-written or co-written. This means the MINORITY party in the House, outnumbered by nearly 2-1, was the MAJORITY when it came to laws passed. How can this be? There is one probable answer: Speaker of the House Joe Straus."

Interesting observation.

[anygunanywhere]

This might have been answered somewhere before, but are the votes for speaker recorded?

[Jumping Frog]

Well, here is the response that I got from my rep:

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

Thank you for your email regarding the Speaker of the House. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

I have always been a strong supporter of Joe Straus, and I believe he has done a great job as Speaker of the House. If Speaker Straus chooses to run again, he will have my vote, even if I am the only member voting for him. I will continue to stand by Speaker Straus – he is an honorable man and a great leader for this state. Last session was very successful in terms of passing conservative legislation, and I expect that to continue when the 84th Legislature convenes on January 13, 2015.

Again, thank you for writing. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents on issues that are important to them. If my staff or I can be of further assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Patricia Harless

State Representative
District 126

My response was a touch aggravating:

Well, I sincerely believe you are wrong on this issue, and if you think the "last session was very successful in terms of passing conservative legislation", you are, quite simply, wrong. Maybe you aren't the conservative you paint yourself to be.

For example, take a look at this: http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texa ... Joe-Straus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mojo84]

Sounds like Harless is just another RINO.

[anygunanywhere]

From Forbes.

The Harry Reid of Texas.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickglea ... timizely=a

[steveincowtown]

NRA has Straus with an "A" rating.


Smh