What it looks like from the good seats Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker

As the legislature gets ready for the 81st Session to be gaveled in, the press corps has already hunkered down in our containment area next to the dias, waiting for the official kick-off at mid-day.

For those speaker race junkies that miss their seemingly hourly updates, still no sign of Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, but outgoing speaker Tom Craddick has been walking the floor, kissing babies.

And, while typing this blog entry, there’s the first: Straus has just appeared.

Check back for updates from the swearing-in session.

This article appears in January 9 • 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.