Speaker Straus: The next big test for his unified House

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.”

This article appears in April 24 • 2009.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.