Will Democrats elect the Texas House Speaker?

Will Republican Legislators allow the Democratic members to select the Speaker?

The 11 dissident Republicans selected two-term State Rep. Joe Straus as their candidate for Speaker, and that selection is expected to be supported by 64 Democrats. They are making the decisions this weekend. What would that do? It would provide 75 votes for a Speaker, with most of the votes coming from Democrats. Some information on Straus is here: http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=49917

The following voting record has been sent around by a number of groups – but you can see all announced speaker candidates’ voting records here:

Speaker_Candidates_composite_conservative_scores_NEW_2.pdf

AFP’s Jason Moore began the scorecard, and Eliza posted it on the AFP website. The great thing about this scorecard is it includes the declared candidates’ voting records from a number of fiscal and social conservative groups. For the full scorecard (to find the “undeclared” candidates like Straus, go to the individual organizations’ scorecard links).

Texas voters should make sure their Texas House member knows how they want them to vote – to find your legislator, click here. http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Address.aspx?Address1=13419+Wisterwood+St&City=Austin&ZipCode=TX&DistrictType=ALL&Submit1=Submit (please note that IF your House member has changed, this State website lists the current member, and those newly-elected in November will not be listed on this site until they take office Jan. 13.)

Rep. Joe Straus Supported:
 Making it easier to perform late-term, third-trimester abortions (SB 419, vote 672, 2005). And in the 2007 session, he received a 100 percent voting record from the radical pro-abortion group NARAL, and the pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood contributed to his reelection campaign
 Homosexuals as foster parents (SB 6, vote 327, 2005)
 Expanded casino gambling (HB 10, vote 939, 2007)
 Increased gaming and gambling (HB 2265, vote 749, 2007)
 Increased sale and consumption of alcohol during Sunday morning church hours (HB 168, vote 357, 2005)
 Making it easier to sell alcohol without community approval, as is currently required (SB 1626, vote 852, 2005)
 Increasing state budget spending by an amazing 19 percent over only two years (SB 1, vote 946, 2005)

Rep. Joe Straus Opposed:
 Using statistically-proven methods to strengthen marriage and reduce divorce by encouraging pre-marital counseling (HB 2685, votes 384, 437, and 1407, 2007)
 Parental rights, opposing a bill to let parents know the service-referrals that school counselors are making for their children (HB 2136, vote 592, 2007)
 School choice (HB 1, vote 235, 2007)