SB 1 Conference Committee Complete

So now we know: Speaker Joe Straus has released the list of House conferees to the budget conference committee: Appropriations Committee Chair Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie and his Vice-Chair Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, will be accompanied by Reps. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, John Otto, R-Dayton, and John Zerwas, R-Richmond.

So how does this leave the body responsible for finalizing the state budget looking? With Friday's announcement by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst that he's sending Finance Committee Chair Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, Vice-Chair Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sens. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, Royce West, D-Dallas, and Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, the committee will be split 6-4, advantage Republicans.

The reality is that all corners of the state will be looking to see whether they'll have a voice at the table. North Texas, the Dallas metroplex, Central Texas and the Valley all get a good showing. With Otto, Williams and Zerwas, there're three lawmakers from -near- Houston, but no-one -from- Houston.

But the real question is how the two delegations will strike a balance between the $178 billion House budget and the $182 billion Senate version. Straus' press release after the break.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus Announces House Appointees to Conference Committee on State Budget

AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker Joe Straus today announced the following appointees to the Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1, the state's biennial budget for 2010-2011.

Representative Jim Pitts, Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
Representative Richard Raymond, Vice Chair, House Appropriations Committee
Representative Ruth Jones McClendon
Representative John Otto
Representative John Zerwas

"The House conferees represent a cross section of our state and will guarantee the final budget meets a majority of our Members' priorities by delivering essential services, preserving the Economic Stabilization Fund and controlling state expenditures", said Texas House Speaker Joe Straus. "I know Conference Committee members will work together to craft a sound budget which is fiscally responsible and sensitive to the financial difficulties faced by all Texans in today's challenging economy."