STRAUS: Its important we provide sensible & meaningful tax relief.&"

Speaker easily wins much-anticipated vote AUSTIN Texas (Texas Insider Report) Joe Straus was re-elected Speaker on Tuesday with overwhelming support in the Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives. Straus a Republican from San Antonio earned the support of 127 of the 146 Members who cast votes on the first day of the 84th Legislature.   More than 80 of the Republicans in the House voted for Straus elevating him to a 4th term as Speaker. In remarks following his election Speaker Straus emphasized that the House should work together on bold solutions to the most important issues facing a fast-growing state such as:

• Education
• Transportation and
• Making government more efficient & transparent.

As the recent drop in oil prices reminds us some sectors of our economy can fluctuate greatly" said Straus. Because of this and because we want a government that is limited and efficient its important that we continue to practice fiscal discipline. Its also important that we provide sensible and meaningful tax relief" Straus said.

Straus noted the House has continued to pass balanced budgets that limit spending and have put record amounts of money in the Rainy Day Fund. During his time as Speaker Texas has continued to have one of the lowest per-capita spending rates in the country. The newly re-elected House speaker reiterated that the House will continue its push for greater budget transparency by using all of the states gas-tax revenue for transportation instead of diverting some of that money to other programs. Its time in this session to finally end highway diversions" Straus said. He also stressed the need to increase accountability in the states economic development programs and in the handling of taxpayer-funded contracts.

Using taxpayers resources for personal gain will not be tolerated" he said. This House should lead by example holding ourselves to the highest ethical standards and remembering that public service is about the public."

Straus was nominated for Speaker by several of his colleagues. Representative Four Price a Republican from Amarillo cited some of the Houses biggest accomplishments in recent sessions. Joe Straus gets results" Price (right) said. Straus is a small businessman from San Antonio who has been Speaker since 2009. When he became Speaker Republicans held 76 seats in the 150-chamber. Today Republicans hold 97 seats and two seats are vacant.