A New Day

Remember last session, when it was the House that looked like a bar fight and the Senate was the big kids' table? Not any more. While the Senate was still caught up this morning in behind-closed-doors discussion (read: screaming match) about the efforts to overturn the two-thirds rule on voter-ID laws, the House had a quicker and smoother opening session under new Speaker Joe Straus. Catching up with Straus Tuesday just after he was sworn in, he seemed happy but still a little surprised that he's actually really speaker. How did he feel the process had gone? "It went great," he said. "I've had outstanding help, so I had nothing to worry about."

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(See austinchronicle.com/legeland for the complete story and daily Lege coverage.)

Back to the floor: Former speaker Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, was given the courtesy by Speaker Straus of offering the resolution to adjourn the session for the day. Here he stands behind Austin Rep. Dawnna Dukes, a former "Craddick D."

Austin Rep. Donna Howard, with daughter Blake Howard, can't contain her excitement over starting her sophomore session.

Gov. Rick Perry dropped in on the House to congratulate Speaker Straus and welcome members back to Austin.

(See austinchronicle.com/legeland for the complete story and daily Lege coverage.)