Texas Speaker Joe Straus Killed ALL big Pro-Life Bills in 2013 - Straus is a Pro-Choice DISGRACE

Joe Straus, Texas Speaker of the House of of Representatives, has KILLED all important Pro-Life bills in the 2013 Texas Legislative session. Joe Straus is not pro-life and NEVER has been. Straus has stated to the media that abortion is not a serious issue and a wedge issue.

Straus and his House Leadership prevented the Texas House of Representatives from even being able to vote on these bills. These bills, among other things, would prevent abortions after 20 weeks due to the fact that unborn babies can feel pain that early. Another bill that was killed would have created higher health standards for abortion clinics and would have helped prevent abortionist like Kermit Gosnell who run Hitler style murder houses where babies are born alive and then murdered. In fact, a Houston abortionist has recently been exposed for murdering babies in gruesome fashion (like twisting their heads off) after they have been born alive. Joe Straus is a DISGRACE to all Texans and cares not for the genocide of innocent babies.

We can only hope that Texas Governor Rick Perry adds these pro-life bills to the agenda of the Special Session.

Straus killed the pro-life bills this session because he had to throw a bone to his Democrat friends who he teamed up with to help him win the position of Texas Speaker. In fact, Democrats have come out and praised Joe Straus in recent weeks for killing pro-life and pro-gun legislation this session.

Texas LT Governor David Dewhurst has called on Governor Perry to add these Pro-Life bills to the Special session agenda after Straus killed them in the House. Specifically, Dewhurst has requested SB 25 which would outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. SB 537 which would force Texas abortionists to abide by the same regulations as those governing ambulatory, or outpatient surgical centers. SB 1198 which would require Texas abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility. These bills passed the Texas Senate but did not even make it to the House floor for a vote.

Texas Right to Life sent a letter to Governor Perry signed by 62 Texas pro-life State Representatives. The letter asks for Governor Rick Perry to add pro-life bills to the 2013 Special Session agenda. The bills requested to be added to the Special session are bills that Texas Speaker Joe Straus asked his leadership to kill during the 2013 regular legislative session.

Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus has shown his true colors this legislative session (2013). Last session (2011), Straus had to ward off massive attacks from conservative groups that said he was a fake conservative and not pro life. In order to ward off the attacks, Straus allowed some of the big conservative bills to pass through unopposed. Do not be confused though, Straus NEVER stood for ANY of the pro-life bills in 2011, he ONLY did not allow them to be killed. There was a super majority of Republicans and he would not have been able to stop the pro-life bills in 2011 anyways. To be honest, with a super majority of Republicans in 2011, there should have been a bunch more even stronger pro-life bills passed. For such a conservative state, Texas is really behind other states that have already passed much more restrictive abortion laws like 20 week unborn pain abortion ban bills and even bans on abortions when the heartbeat can be detected.

Straus might have gone along with some pro-life legislation last session for political reasons, but that is not the case this session as 2013 has been an absolutely underwhelming legislative session. Joe Straus purposely did not let any controversial bills make it to the House floor for a vote. That means, even with a near super majority of Republicans, the biggest conservative bills of the session went nowhere because they did not even make it out of the committees run by Straus appointed leaders. Why? Well, Joe Straus is a friend of the Democrats. He got elected by the Democrats when he first took over the Speaker position. The Democrats were mad that some of the good conservative bills were allowed to be passed last year. Last Session, Straus threw some bones to conservatives by allowing some of the conservative legislation to be passed (although many conservative bills last session were still killed). Not blocking some of the big conservative bills allowed Straus to keep his power in the Republican controlled House because there are enough moderates Republicans and Democrats to outnumber the conservative Republicans.

Well, the dog and pony show of last year is over and now that he kept his power, he could care less about conservative legislation and now has to switch sides and throw some bones to the Democrats this session. He has done just that. Straus has allowed his committee leaders to kill MOST of the top conservative bills of the session (not just pro life) before they even can get out committee for a full floor vote.

TX Dem. Reps Praise Speaker Straus for Blocking Abortion and Gun Bills this Legislative Session

Democrats tate Representatives praise Texas Speaker Joe Straus for blocking anti-abortion and pro-gun bills this session.

The following are quotes excerpts from an article in the Austin American Statesman:

Straus’ success came as he presided over a center-right coalition that included Democrats, Henson said. He also kept control by steering the greater debate away from guns and abortion, leaving the right wing of the Republican Party “understandably dissatisfied,” Henson said

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, spent much of the legislative session two years ago fighting Straus and his lieutenants by using parliamentary maneuvers to derail the Republican proposals that defined that session.

This time around, Martinez Fischer and other Democrats were comparatively quiet. Part of it was the lack of divisive measures — like the 2011 efforts to ban sanctuary cities and demand sonograms before abortions — but just as much, it was Straus’ willingness to keep focused.

Rep. Van Taylor, a frequent critic of Straus, had a different take on the relative serenity of the 83rd legislative session. The Plano Republican said the calmness reflects an aversion to controversy.

“Republicans lost a golden opportunity to pass a lot of conservative legislation,” Taylor said, citing gun and abortion legislation that did not pass. He also said Straus should have ensured the chamber approved a more conservative budget that didn’t “raid the rainy day fund” and “lurch to the left,” Taylor said.


read the full article here: http://pushjunction.com/l/Coa

Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346 - Justice Don Willett and Senator Dan Patrick Respond

Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346

Statement from Texas Governor Rick Perry:


“Freedom of association and freedom of speech are two of our most important rights enshrined in the Constitution. My fear is that SB 346 would have a chilling effect on both of those rights in our democratic political process. While regulation is necessary in the administration of Texas political finance laws, no regulation is tolerable that puts anyone’s participation at risk or that can be used by any government, organization or individual to intimidate those who choose to participate in our process through financial means.”

“At a time when our federal government is assaulting the rights of Americans by using the tools of government to squelch dissent it is unconscionable to expose more Texans to the risk of such harassment, regardless of political, organizational or party affiliation. I therefore veto SB 346.”


the following is a facebook post from Texas Senator Dan Patrick:

Gov just vetoed SB 346 That is the bill I recalled from the House that they refused to send back. It would impact 501 C 4 organizations including many conservative & pro-life groups as well as moderate or liberal groups. It was a clearly unconstitutional, but would have required a lengthy @ expensive court fight

the following is tweet from Texas State Supreme Court Justice Don Willett:

Don Willett @JusticeWillett 8m

@GovernorPerry's #SB346 veto msg: “Freedom of association & ... speech are two of our most important rights enshrined in the Constitution."



previous articles:


ACTION ALERT! Ask Texas Governor Perry to VETO SB 346 - it attacks conservative groups and churches like Obama's IRS

Like IRS Scandal, Texas Speaker Straus Attacking Conservative Non-Profit Groups and even Churches!

ACTION ALERT! Ask Texas Governor Perry to VETO SB 346 - it attacks conservative groups and churches like Obama's IRS

Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346 - Justice Don Willett and Senator Dan Patrick Respond

ACTION ALERT! GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! 512-463-2000

One of the top Chairmen for Joe Straus, Charlie Geren, has pushed a bill (SB 346) through the Texas House that, like the recent Obama IRS scandal, would attack Texas conservative non-profit groups by demanding the groups reveal who gives money to the non-profit groups. 

This bill would even attack churches and religious groups who do not get involved in partisan politics and only stand for issues like pro-life and pro marriage! 

Interestingly enough, labor unions are specifically named in the bill as exempt from these requirements! Heck, what about newspapers? They get involved in EVERY election and endorse candidates and bash Republicans in issues, but they would not have to reveal their finances under this bill. So Unions and Newspapers get a pass, but if someone gives 25,000 to a church to buy pro-life signs then the church has to reveal their finances! THIS IS WORSE THAT WHAT OBAMA'S IRS IS DOING!

Also, how would you feel about having to register as a lobbyist simply because you go to the Courthouse in Austin with a group of Christians from your church and hold pro-life signs on the side of the road?

GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! Call his office at 512-463-2000

Call the Texas Governor NOW and ask that he veto this bill. Spread the word about this outrageous shakedown and attack on the first amendment!

The State Senate voted to pass this bill first before the house, but they did so with good intentions not knowing the major flaws in the bill. They tried to have a re-vote to recall this bill after they found out the flaws in the bill and found out that it was being pushed by Straus, but it was too late. The House conservatives were able to reveal this trickery before the bill was voted on, but the House Democrats teamed up with the house moderate Republicans and the House Conservative Republicans were not able to stop this bill from passing. Since it passed the House and Senate, it now goes to the Governor to be signed.

Governor Rick Perry MUST veto this bill!

This is a direct attack on the First Amendment. Non-Profits, like Pro Life groups and fiscal responsibility groups, are non-partisan and these groups promote their issues and support anyone who supports their issue. Because they are non-partisan and they are created to support an issue, they are not required to reveal private information about the non-profit in campaign finance reports. This is like how a church works. A church is a non profit and, like other non-profits, is protected by the First Amendment and does not have to reveal financial info or pay taxes. A church can promote Christian issues and encourage people to vote in support of these Christian issues. Well, Joe Straus does not like that because Straus has received negative attention from some of these groups because he is not personally pro-life and has had other fiscal responsibility issues. So what does Straus do? Straus attacks the first amendment and calls for a shakedown of these non profit groups. These groups are not supporting him, so he is wants to unconstitutionally target these groups. Can someone tell me how that is ANY different from the IRS targeting conservative non profit and Tea Party groups because they stand for conservative values and go against the liberal values of President Obama?

Texans Should be Outraged at this attack against the First Amendment from Joe Straus!

read more about this bill here:

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20130522-michael-quinn-sullivan-dark-money-bill-threatens-small-social-issue-groups.ece

http://pushjunction.com/l/Cn_

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/House-sends-donor-disclosure-bill-to-Gov-Perry-4513388.php

http://www.agendawise.com/2013/05/charlie-geren-with-obamas-irs/

http://www.bigjollypolitics.com/2013/05/22/governor-perry-the-texas-democrat-party-official-who-threatened-to-kill-nra-members-is-behind-sb-346/

http://www.conservativehq.com/article/13553-emergency-call-action-ask-texas-governor-rick-perry-veto-sb-346-now

http://www.texasaction.com/bill/83r/sb346

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/15512-texas-conservatives-mobilize-ask-governor-to-veto-bill-expanding-the-definition-of-political-activity

http://www.redstate.com/2013/05/21/governor-perry-please-veto-sb-346/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324767004578489183521250950.html

http://wilcoconservative.blogspot.com/2013/05/wsj-conservatives-urge-veto-of-ill.html

Like IRS Scandal, Texas Speaker Straus Attacking Conservative Non-Profit Groups and even Churches!

Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346 - Justice Don Willett and Senator Dan Patrick Respond


GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! 

One of the top Chairmen for Joe Straus, Charlie Geren, has pushed a bill (SB 346) through the Texas House that, like the recent Obama IRS scandal, would attack Texas conservative non-profit groups by demanding the groups reveal who gives money to the non-profit groups. 

This bill would even attack churches and religious groups who do not get involved in partisan politics and only stand for issues like pro-life and pro marriage! 

Interestingly enough, labor unions are specifically named in the bill as exempt from these requirements! Heck, what about newspapers? They get involved in EVERY election and endorse candidates and bash Republicans in issues, but they would not have to reveal their finances under this bill. So Unions and Newspapers get a pass, but if someone gives 25,000 to a church to buy pro-life signs then the church has to reveal their finances! THIS IS WORSE THAT WHAT OBAMA'S IRS IS DOING!

Also, how would you feel about having to register as a lobbyist simply because you go to the Courthouse in Austin with a group of Christians from your church and hold pro-life signs on the side of the road?

GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! call his office at 512-463-2000

Call the Texas Governor NOW and ask that he veto this bill. Spread the word about this outrageous shakedown and attack on the first amendment!

The State Senate voted to pass this bill first before the house, but they did so with good intentions not knowing the major flaws in the bill. They tried to have a re-vote to recall this bill after they found out the flaws in the bill and found out that it was being pushed by Straus, but it was too late. The House conservatives were able to reveal this trickery before the bill was voted on, but the House Democrats teamed up with the house moderate Republicans and the House Conservative Republicans were not able to stop this bill from passing. Since it passed the House and Senate, it now goes to the Governor to be signed.

Governor Rick Perry MUST veto this bill!

This is a direct attack on the First Amendment. Non-Profits, like Pro Life groups and fiscal responsibility groups, are non-partisan and these groups promote their issues and support anyone who supports their issue. Because they are non-partisan and they are created to support an issue, they are not required to reveal private information about the non-profit in campaign finance reports. This is like how a church works. A church is a non profit and, like other non-profits, is protected by the First Amendment and does not have to reveal financial info or pay taxes. A church can promote Christian issues and encourage people to vote in support of these Christian issues. Well, Joe Straus does not like that because Straus has received negative attention from some of these groups because he is not personally pro-life and has had other fiscal responsibility issues. So what does Straus do? Straus attacks the first amendment and calls for a shakedown of these non profit groups. These groups are not supporting him, so he is wants to unconstitutionally target these groups. Can someone tell me how that is ANY different from the IRS targeting conservative non profit and Tea Party groups because they stand for conservative values and go against the liberal values of President Obama?

Texans Should be Outraged at this attack against the First Amendment from Joe Straus!


read more about this bill here:

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20130522-michael-quinn-sullivan-dark-money-bill-threatens-small-social-issue-groups.ece

http://pushjunction.com/l/Cn_

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/House-sends-donor-disclosure-bill-to-Gov-Perry-4513388.php

http://www.agendawise.com/2013/05/charlie-geren-with-obamas-irs/

http://www.bigjollypolitics.com/2013/05/22/governor-perry-the-texas-democrat-party-official-who-threatened-to-kill-nra-members-is-behind-sb-346/

http://www.conservativehq.com/article/13553-emergency-call-action-ask-texas-governor-rick-perry-veto-sb-346-now

http://www.texasaction.com/bill/83r/sb346

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/15512-texas-conservatives-mobilize-ask-governor-to-veto-bill-expanding-the-definition-of-political-activity

http://www.redstate.com/2013/05/21/governor-perry-please-veto-sb-346/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324767004578489183521250950.html

http://wilcoconservative.blogspot.com/2013/05/wsj-conservatives-urge-veto-of-ill.html

Texas Speaker Straus Wants Obamacare for Texas - Texas Reps Living Large on your Dime

the following blog post is from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility: Texans for Fiscal Responsibility EmpowerTexans.com March 10, 2013   Today: Legislators blast transparency... Straus sugarcoats Medicaid expansion... Hospitals want more...

QUOTING...  "Politicians are worse than thieves. At least when thieves take your money, they don't expect you to thank them for it." -- Walter Williams

When legislators denounce legislation bringing sunlight into government, one has to wonder what they’re hiding. And by the looks of a recent committee hearing, three legislators must have some really dirty closets.

Despite opposition from US Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, Gov. Rick Perry, and the Texas House GOP caucus, Speaker Joe Straus said this week it was time for Texas to “move beyond the word ‘no’ to something the administration might entertain” on ObamaCare implementation.

Sugarcoated Expansion
The Obama Administration wants Texas to expand Medicaid, something that will bankrupt the state. Conservatives have uniformly opposed the policy as a bad idea, even while some Republicans here and around the country are caving in.

Speaker Straus told his hometown newspaper that Texas needs to “get our heads out of the sand” in order to find a “Texas solution” President Obama likes. Of course, you can safely assume any solution the Obama administration finds acceptable will be unacceptable to Texas.

Mr. Straus’ call for capitulation came just days after the Republican Party of Texas’ governing board – the State Republican Executive Committee – passed a resolution opposing Medicaid expansion. Party chairman Steve Munisteri wrote lawmakers expressing the GOP’s “unwavering opposition to the expansion of Medicaid in Texas.”

Unfortunately, we can expect a steady stream of grow-government liberals and moderates to keep trying to push sugarcoated poison pills down Texans’ throats. As our friends at AgendaWise noted on Friday, Texans should remember Nancy Reagan's catch-phrase regarding addictive, deadly substances: "Just say no."

Hospital Hubris
A new talking point for the Medicaid expanders/ObamaCare implementers – like Speaker Straus – is the heavy cost being borne by local hospital districts. The argument goes like this: Local taxpayers are paying a lot of money providing free health care for the local indigent and poor, therefore we need the state taxpayers to pick up the tab, or to get the money from the federal taxpayers.

You probably already get the joke: the taxpayers stay on the hook, the same taxpayers even. It’s just a question of which pocket you’re paying out of, and how transparent the bill is.

Let's start with the obvious: local officials willfully sold the public on creating hospitals districts to provide a service about which they are now complaining. Think about that. Local officials are using the cost of providing indigent care, which they strenuously advocated, as a pretext to expand ObamaCare.

We should treat suspiciously any claim of concern for the local taxpayer. In fact, given hospital districts' (and hospitals generally) insatiable desire for access to taxpayer dollars, you can expect to see those local hospital taxes going up anyway.

This is why the rent-seeking local public hospital districts are pushing so hard for Medicaid expansion. They will keep jacking up your local property taxes in the name of providing access to care, while pocketing more money from the federal government funneled through the state.

Of course, in the interest of intellectual honesty it bears noting that any money provided by the federal government comes from either higher income taxes or your grandchildren’s credit card.

Legislators Live Large
A rare defense of dishonesty was on display in the Texas House State Affairs Committee, when three ranking members viciously attacked government transparency and all-but defended legislators making big paydays through undisclosed deals with governmental agencies.

Legislation filed by freshman State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) made good on one of his central campaign promises: to bring greater transparency to contracts lawmakers, their families and businesses have with government agencies.

That clearly doesn’t sit well with State Reps. Harvey Hilderbran, Patricia Harless and Dan Huberty. They were unsettled by the prospect of lawmakers reporting on business dealings with entities they oversee or governmental entities that rely on being in the good graces of their offices.

Rep. Harless expressed concern she might have to report on her husband’s contracts with local governments. Didn’t know he had any… until now. Similarly, Mr. Huberty – a former school board member – expressed shock and outrage that voters might need to know what deals he is making on the side.

Mr. Hilderbran’s outrage is even more interesting. This is a fellow who has been quietly exploring a statewide run for comptroller, a position charged with expanding transparency, not curtailing it. (Late last year, it was discovered that Mr. Hilderbran – a committee chairman – was using legislative staff to peddle his “real estate” business to new legislators.)

Whether or not Reps. Harless, Huberty or Hilderbran are abusing their legislative offices to secure unethical contracts for themselves and their spouses is unknown – mostly because of the lack of transparency they were defending.

But the amount of smoke they were blowing against commonsense disclosures might rightly cause voters to suspect there are some ethical fires burning there.

Light Better Fires
Help make sure our fellow Texans are informed and engaged: share this e-mail with friends, “Like” us on Facebook, and make a donation through our 1836 Campaign. Together, we can shine the bright lights of liberty in the dark corners of the Capitol.

For Texas!
Michael Quinn Sullivan
& the EmpowerTexans.com Team

Straus Wins TX Speaker by Default - Simpson Drops Out to Protect Fellow Reps from Retaliation

Joe Straus has won the position of Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for another term. Straus won by default (no challenger) after his lone challenger. David Simpson, dropped out.

It is rumored that Simpson decided to drop out to protect his fellow supporters from retaliation from Joe Straus that would likely occurred (and has in the past) when a State Rep votes against Straus.

Simpson did not believe that he had enough votes to win so he dropped out before there was a floor vote.

I suppose I am not surprised. Just like in the US House of Representatives, too many Reps are scared to challenge the establishment leaders.

Oh well, the good news is that there are many new conservative Reps in the Texas House of Representatives and there will be many conservative bills passed simply because of the number of good Republicans we have. Joe Straus is also trying to bend over backwards to show that he belongs in the Republican Party, so maybe he will let up this session and let more of the conservative bills out of committee.

Joe Straus: Supports New Taxes & Obamacare, Opposes Gun Rights, Pro Abortion, Betrayed Republicans – Texas MUST Elect a New Speaker!

Please forward this to all conservative Republicans in Texas. We must Stand up for Conservative Values and Joe Straus MUST be defeated. The Texas Speaker Election is tomorrow, Jan 8th, 2013. Contact your State Representative and tell them you do not support Joe Straus! This really should be national news because of how shocking it is. The conservative Republican running against Joe Straus is David Simpson.

Breaking News: The Republicans hold the majority in the United States House of Representatives, but in a shock move, a few Republicans teamed up with all the Democrats which has given the Democrats the majority to be able to select Nancy Pelosi as the leader of the majority Republican US House.

Just kidding, that did not happen and probably would not ever happen. If that ever happened then there would be uncontrollable outrage from Republicans.

This DID HAPPEN IN TEXAS though. Back in 2009, a few Texas Republican traitors teamed up with the Democrats to elect the Speaker of the Republican Majority House. Texas had a slim majority in the Texas House of Representatives. The Republicans of the House had the majority to be able to vote as a Republican body to decide which Republican would become speaker. Instead, the power to select the Speaker was given to the Democrats. How? A handful of moderate Republicans in the Texas House teamed up with ALL of the Democrats in the Texas House. This gave the Democrats the power to select someone who was moderate and much less conservative that the current Republican Speaker of the Texas House. The Democrats and the handful of Republican picked wealthy moderate Joe Straus as the Speaker.

This is a complete act of betrayal. Republicans should consider these State Reps as traitors for turning their backs on their Republican Party and not allowing the Texas Republicans (who had the majority) to pick the Speaker of the Texas House.

If I did not know anything about Joe Straus I would still NEVER support him simply because of the fact that he was a traitor to the Republican Party and sold himself to the Democrats to allow the Democrats to pick a new Speaker instead of the Republicans. Without knowing anything about Joe Straus, I already know that he cannot be trusted because he has already teamed up with Democrats before. I also already know that he cannot be very conservative because the Democrats would have never gone along with this to team up with the handful of Republicans unless they were guaranteed that the new speaker was going to be considerably less conservative than the current one.

After knowing everything I just told you above, if you still believe Joe Straus when he lies and says he is a Conservative Republican then you simply just do not understand what it means to team up with Democrats to select a new speaker because the current one was too conservative. Maybe you will understand that Joe Straus is not conservative if you knew a little bit more about Joe Straus.

The voting record of Joe Straus and the statements and actions he has made are very clear that Joe Straus supports Abortion, supports raising taxes, gives money to Democrats to beat Republicans, hurt conservatives in redistricting, selects liberal chairmen for committees to kill conservative bills, will not stand up against Obamacare in Texas, and much more…

See end of this article for a FULL LIST of the History of Joe Straus (Voting History, Support for Abortion, Killing conservative bills, Selecting Liberals for Committees Chairmen, Supporting Tax Increases, Campaigning for Democrats over Republicans, etc)

Wait though, Joe Straus will say that there are more Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives now than before he became speaker of the House: Yes that is true, but that has nothing to do with Joe Straus. Joe Straus snuck into office of the Speaker in 2009 when Republicans everywhere were down and Obama even just won the Presidency. Obama winning woke up America and the 2010 election saw a Republican Wave all over America. The Republican wave was especially big in Texas because, In addition to Obama getting elected causing Republicans to get out and vote, Texas also had a large number of conservative Representatives who got elected out of outrage that moderate Joe Straus was elected to Speaker.

These conservative Representatives were sent to Austin to oppose Joe Straus and they did. Unfortunately, Joe Straus had the power of the Speaker and was able to keep power by threatening anyone who opposed him with bad committee placement and getting hurt in redistricting. He also of course still had the backing of all the democrats and did not have a person stand up to oppose him for Speaker until last minute.

Wait though, Joe Straus will say that there were many conservative bills passed in the 2011 Legislature, including a pro-life sonogram bill. How can Joe Straus not be conservative if there were conservative bills allowed to be passed in 2011?: This is true that there were conservative bills passed in 2011, including a sonogram bill. This conservative legislation in the 2011 Texas Legislative Session passed, not because of him, but in spite of him. Joe Straus is not stupid and there was a super majority of Republican in the Texas House. He is a slick politician who wants to keep power. He knows he could not openly oppose some of the major conservative bills supported by the majority of the House so he did not stand in the way of the bills. For instance, Straus, even though he is not pro-life and supports Roe V Wade, did not stand against the pro-life bills because he knew the pro-life bills would pass anyways with a super-majority of Republicans in the Texas Legislature. What is more telling though is that he also did not stand for them or promote them. Given different circumstances, like less Republicans in the House, I believe Straus would stop playing to the super-majority and play both sides because he will need the Democrats in a split house.

What Straus will also not tell you though is that, even though there were some conservative bills passed in 2011, there were many more super conservative bills that were killed by in Joe Straus’s Committee’s and even some bills killed by Joe Straus himself. (see list at end of article)

Joe Straus has REFUSED to pledge his support for the right to keep and bear arms.

He has fought efforts to restore your God-given right to keep and bear arms every step of the way.

He even mocked efforts to restore law-abiding citizens' right to carry a firearm on a college campus saying:

"Guns on campus, guns somewhere else? Are we really fixing problems or do we just think we do?

(Scharrer, Gary, "On-the-job training pays off for Straus as House speaker," Houston Chronicle, 6/7/2009.)

In Texas, you expect the leaders to oppose Obamacare and oppose tax increases. No state leader in Texas even has to think about whether or not to oppose Obamacare and new taxes. Why? Because this is Texas and we are a pretty conservative state and if you do no oppose Obamacare and oppose new taxes then you might as well resign because you will not get elected again to a statewide office in this state. All of the Texas leaders are very vocal about their opposition to Obamacare and are opposed to new taxes instead of spending cuts.

Except for Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus…

Alice Linahan of Voices Empower explains more:

Joe Straus is on the record as stating that we cannot “cut our way to prosperity,” which echoes the sentiments of Barack Obama nationally. Rick Perry (Texas Governor) and David Dewhurst (LT Governor TX Senate Leader) have both signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which is a firm pledge to oppose any tax increases, while Straus (TX House Speaker) has not.

Rick Perry and David Dewhurst have come out and stood firm against implementing Obamacare on Texas. In fact, of the top 3 leaders in Texas, Joe Straus is the only one who is unwilling to oppose enacting Obamacare in Texas. When pressed, he said he had to bring all the stakeholders together and decide. Why is this a hard decision? Obamacare is harmful to the strength of our state and its economy.

As Alice Linahan points out above, Joe Straus is not standing up against Obamacare and is open to the idea of raising taxes instead of cutting spending.

Wait, how is that possible that Joe Straus is a state-wide leader and is not strongly opposed to Obamacare and tax increases? How was he ever elected to that position? The reason Joe Straus is the Speaker of the House in Texas is because the people of Texas do not vote to make him Speaker. If the people of Texas voted for speaker in a state-wide vote then Joe Straus would never be elected to lead this conservative state. The only reason he ever got elected to be Speaker is because he was a traitor to the Republican Party. Joe Straus was elected speaker by teaming up with the DEMOCRATS in the House. He got all the Democrats in the House to vote for him. Straus also has money and has wielded his money and power as Speaker to threaten and hurt people who oppose him as Speaker.

This is not a man who should be leading our conservative state. The Republican State Representatives in the Texas House need to stand up and elect a better, more conservative person to lead the Republican majority Texas House of Representatives.

How can a conservative Republicans in Texas go along with a traitor like Straus after knowing the liberal history of Joe Straus?

Texas Speaker Joe Straus Says Abortion is NOT a Serious Issue

Joe Straus Shocking History of Liberal Voting and Supporting Democrats in Texas

Texas Speaker Straus REFUSES to Support Gun Rights Pledge

Texas Speaker Joe Straus Shows Support for Obamacare and Tax Increases

 Speaker Straus Calls for Billions More Taxing and Spending 2013 Texas Legislative Session

2011 Conservative Legislation Killed by Texas Speaker Joe Straus’ Committee Chairs

Profane Emails From Texas Speaker Joe Straus’s Office Reveal War Against Conservatives

Joe Straus Tricks at TX GOP Convention – Straus REJECTED from National Delegate List

EXPOSED: Rep. Ritter Bribes Rep. Hamilton? Straus Chairmen give $100,000 to Defeat Rep. White Super Conservative

Joe Straus Attacks Conservatives: Raising Money to Defeat Republican Incumbent James White

State Senator Says TSA Anti Groping Bill is Dead. It Will Not Pass Due To Speaker Straus's Bad Timing

Peter Morrison: Support Rep. Simpson for Speaker of the Texas House

All Texas TSA Anti Groping Bills in Texas Special Session are DEAD - Rep Simpson Blames Leadership Failure

Three Joe Straus Chairmen KICKED OUT of Office: Eissler, Hamilton and Truitt

Joe Straus – The Manipulative Texas Speaker Of The House - by Sonja Harris

Joe Straus

2005 – 2009

Fiscal Policy

·         voted to create a payroll tax in Texas, several industry specific taxes, and a 1-cent increase in the state sales tax in the name of reducing property tax burdens. This would have created an 80 percent net tax increase on 80 percent of Texans (HB 3, RV 119, 79^th Legislature)

·         voted against repealing the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Tax on local telephone companies in 2005 (HB 789, RV 153, 79^th Legislature)

·         voted to levy a “granny tax” on nursing home residents (HB 3778, RV 1048, 80^th Legislature)

·         voted against making tuition deregulation subject for review in 2008 by the Sunset Commission (SB 1227, RV 810, 79^th Legislature)

·         voted to expand welfare by changing the basis of eligibility for the Children’s Insurance Program from “gross income” to “net income”, and expanding the eligibility period from 6 months to 12 months (HB 109, RV 266 & RV 299, 80^th Legislature)

Social Issues

·         voted in favor of allowing homosexuals and bisexuals to become foster parents (SB 6, RV 328, 79^th Legislature)

·         Supported making it easier to get a 3^rd trimester abortion. Original language of the bill allowed it only when the mother was at risk of death or the fetus had severe irreversible brain impairment. Straus voted to expand the exemptions to if there was “substantial risk of serious impairment” to the mother or if the fetus had a “severe and irreversible abnormality” (SB 419, RV 672, 79^th Legislature)

·         Joe Straus received a $1,000 donation from Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas (Texas Ethics Commission, 08/27/2008)

Support of Gambling

·         Even before Joe Straus became a state representative, it was known his family has gambling interests – specifically horse racing. His father helped build Retama Park in San Antonio. (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 12/17/2010, Straus: My Family connections hurt gambling bills’ odds)

·         In 2005, his freshman session, Straus voted to legalize “pull tab bingo,” an expansion of gambling. (HB 3, RV 670, 79^th Legislature)

·         In 2007, Straus voted to expand gambling to Indian tribes in Texas, paving the way for casinos and racetrack slot machines in Texas. (HB 10, RV 939, 80^th Legislature)

Scorecards

·         Heritage Alliance

o   2005 – 79%

o   2006 – 51%

·         Texas Eagle Forum

o   2005 – 58

o   2007 – 68

·         Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

o   2007 - 71

·         Texas Right to Life

o   2005 – 50

·         Young Conservatives of Texas

o   2005 – 73

o   2007 – 62

·         NARAL

o   2005 – 45

o   2007 - 100

2009 to 2011

Election as Speaker

Joe Straus was elected as Speaker of the House with the vote of the entire Democratic caucus and 11 moderate Republicans, whom later became known as the “Gang of 11.” A list of them and their career scores on the Young Conservatives of Texas scorecard are listed below:

·         Jim Pitts - 71

·         Brian McCall - 63

·         Byron Cook - 74

·         Charlie Geren - 58

·         Tommy Merritt - 56

·         Delwin Jones - 58

·         Edmund Kuempel - 78

·         Jim Keffer - 74

·         Rob Eissler - 76

·         Burt Solomons – 81

·         Joe Straus - 67

Punishing Conservatives

·         Liberal Democrat Joaquin Castro said at a press conference that he “cant think of a better person to lead us…” than Joe Straus. (Burnt Orange Report YouTube Video, 1/5/2009, Joe Straus Supporters at Press Conference)

·         Reports surfaced that conservatives were told there would be retribution if they failed to support Straus. (Texas Tribune, 11/10/2010, Bryan Hughes Withdraws Support for Straus)

·         With a 76-74 GOP majority in the House in 2009, Straus’ committee chairs averaged a 43 on the Young Conservatives of Texas ratings.

·         Straus headlined a fundraiser for Democrat Patrick Rose. Rose was defeated by Republican Jason Isaac. (Dallas Morning News Trailblazers Blog, 5/7/2010, Straus helps Democrat facing GOP foe this fall)

Pro-Choice

·         Straus revealed many pro-choice positions in a Texas Monthly Talks with Evan Smith in 2009 (Texas Monthly Talks with Evan Smith, 1/22/09):

o   Straus supports Roe v. Wade and does not believe it should be overturned

o   Straus called the pro-life movement “campaign fodder”

o   On Planned Parenthood: “they do so much good on the family planning and women’s health issues”

o   Evan Smith described Joe Straus as “less opposed to abortion and more supportive of gambling – a family business interest – than most of his conservative brethren” in an introduction

·         Joe Straus attended a Planned Parenthood Patron Party in the Fall of 2009, where they thanked him for his “tireless efforts” on behalf of Texas women in the 81^st Legislature (Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas Newsletter, Fall 2009)

Conservative Credentials

·         The New York Times called Straus a “centrist” that rose to power during the “Democratic tide that swept President Obama into office” (New York Times, 1/27/2009, Texas Rebellion Gives a Centrist a Lift)

·         The Economist referred to Straus as a “moderate” backed by “centrists” (The Economist, 11/25/2010, The resurgent right, and an unlikely possible ally for moderates)

Fiscal Policy

·         Joe Straus told lobbyist Fred Hill and the Texas Association of Counties – notorious opponents to property tax caps – “You have friend in the Speaker’s Office” (Fred Hill Email, 2/12/2009, Subject: From Fred Hill-Some fun but, serious)

2011 to Present

Gambling

·         The Texas Observer reported in 2010 that Straus’ family could earn tens of millions of dollars if the legislature voted to allow slot machines in racetracks. “It’s unusual – even in Texas – to encounter a single piece of legislation that has the potential to put millions of dollars in the pocket of a top state leader.” (Texas Observer, 4/08/2010, Speaker Straus’ Other Horse Race)

·         Straus appointed a pro-gambling chair of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures committee – Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton. Hamilton voted pro-gambling legislation out of his committee in 2011. (Texas Tribune, 5/6/2011, House Committee Advances Gambling, Without Casinos)

·         Straus later fundraised for Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton while in a primary race against conservative James White. See “Punishing Conservatives.” (TREPAC Fundraiser, 2/29/2012)

Punishing Conservatives

·         With a GOP supermajority in the House in 2011, Straus’ committee chairs averaged a 57 on the Young Conservatives of Texas ratings.

·         Ralph Sheffield said Joe Straus punished GOP members (AgendaWise Video, 11/29/2011)

·         Paul Burka said Straus oversaw a budget meant to help Democrats brow-beat Republicans (Texas Tribune, 6/20/2011, Video: Burka and Blakeslee at TribLive)

·         Those who voted against Straus for speaker in 2011 were given slim pickings for committee assignments:

o   Rodney Anderson – Economic & Small Business Development, Land & Resource Management

o   Leo Berman – Defense & Veteran’s Affairs, Elections

o   Cindy Burkett – Criminal Jurisprudence, Elections, Human Trafficking

o   Erwin Cain – Corrections, Government Efficiency & Reform

o   Wayne Christian – Criminal Jurisprudence, Ways & Means

o   Dan Flynn – Defense & Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, Public Safety

o   Bryan Hughes – Agriculture & Livestock, Human Services, Oversight of HHS Eligibility System

o   Jason Isaac – Agriculture & Livestock, Elections

o   Phil King – Elections, Urban Affairs

o   Jim Landtroop – Agriculture & Livestock, Defense & Veterans Affairs

o   Jodie Laubenberg – Environmental Flows (Joint Cmte), Human Services, Public Health

o   Tan Parker – Corrections, Oversight of HHS Eligibility System, Rules & Resolutions (Vice Chair), Urban Affairs

o   Ken Paxton – County Affairs, Urban Affairs

o   Charles Perry – Corrections, Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, Rules & Resolutions

o   David Simpson – Border & Intergovernmental Affairs, Urban Affairs

o   Van Taylor – Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, Human Services

o   James White – Corrections, County Affairs

o   Bill Zedler – Criminal Jurisprudence, Government Efficiency & Reform

·         Of those listed above, none were appointed to the Appropriations, Calendars, Higher Education, Public Education, Licensing and Administrative Procedures, House Administration, Redistricting, State Affairs, or Transportation Committee. Only one was appointed to the Ways & Means Committee.

Conservative legislation authored by those who voted against Straus were killed by Straus’ committee chairs:

o   Ending State Unfunded Mandates, HJR 46 by James White

o   Ending In-state tuition for illegal immigrants, HB 1387 by Erwin Cain

o   Appropriations transparency bill, HB 2804 by Cain, et. al.

o   Spending limits for local governments, HB 2952 by Erwin Cain

o   Replacing longevity pay with merit pay for state employees, HB 2954 by Erwin Cain

o   10% reduction on paperwork for state unfunded mandates on public schools, HB 3463 by Erwin Cain

o   Prohibiting hospitals from using tax dollars on abortions, HB 561 by Wayne Christian

o   Prohibiting state or other political subdivisions from forcing you to buy health insurance, HJR 51 by Wayne Christian

o   Ending property taxes below the state level – HJR 53 by Wayne Christian

o   Prohibiting the state from punishing direct payment for healthcare or non-participation, HB 203 by Bryan Hughes

o   Allowing businesses to subtract payments to contractors in addition to employee salary from their taxable margin of the franchise tax, HB 817 by Bryan Hughes and Dwayne Bohac

o   Constitutional amendment requiring 2/3 majority to raise taxes, HJR 37 by Bryan Hughes et. al.

o   Retention of $1 million revenue exemption for franchise tax, HB 476 by Phil King

o   Eliminating school district M&O property taxes, HB 780 by Phil King

o   Requiring a 4/5 vote by House of Representatives to raise taxes, HJR 124 by Jim Landtroop and Jodie Laubenberg

o   Retention of the $1 million exemption of the franchise tax, HB 146 by Jodie Laubenberg

o   Creating the Health Freedom Act, HB 97 by Ken Paxton

o   E-Z computation of the franchise tax, HB 98 by Ken Paxton

o   Spending limits, HB 756 by Ken Paxton

o   Businesses posting a loss wouldn’t pay the franchise tax, HB 932 by Ken Paxton

o   Phases out property taxes for senior citizens by 2021, HB 1104 by Ken Paxton

o   Requires all other taxing units to ratify a tax increase instead of relying petitions to rollback tax rates, HB 3186 by Ken Paxton

o   Requiring franchise tax increases to pass by 2/3 majority, HJR 25 by Ken Paxton

o   NOTE: Ken Paxton was only able to pass 2 bills the entire session, all other bills he authored died in committees

o   Zero-based budgeting, HB 187 by Charles Perry

o   Determination of resident-status of students at public universities, HB 1857 by Charles Perry

o   TSA Groping bill, HB 1937 by David Simpson

o   TSA Body Scanner bill, HB 1938 by David Simpson

o   Taking away public employee pensions of those convicted of felonies, HB 1085 by Van Taylor (also HB 246 by Eric Johnson died in Calendars)

o   Exempting school districts from certain state unfunded mandates, HB 458 by James White & Wayne Christian

o   Temporary tuition limits on students at four-year public universities, HB 459 by James White

o   Abolishing property taxes and limiting rates of state and local sales taxes, HJR 142 by James White

o   Requiring school districts to post their check registers online, HB 1236 by Bill Zedler

o   Requiring public universities to post their check registers online, HB 1237 by Bill Zedler

o   Uncapping total number of charters given to schools by the SBOE, HB 1603 by Bill Zedler,

o   Requiring a 2/3 vote to create an entity with taxing power, HJR 105 by Zedler

Fiscal Policy

·         Joe Straus refuses to sign the Texas Budget Compact (Press Release, 4/16/2012, Statement on Texas Budget Compact)

·         Refuses to sign the Taxpayer Pledge (www.taxpayerpledge.com)

·         Straus confidant Jim Keffer opposes property tax reform (www.texastaxtruth.com), despite the State Republican Party Platform calls to abolish property taxes (page 18). Keffer is the author of a bill to impose a payroll tax in Texas (HB 3, 79^th Legislature), and of the now defunct Gross Margins Tax (HB 3, 79^th Legislature, 3^rd Called).

·         Despite a supermajority of Republicans, the House failed to pass spending limits.

·         Straus only came out in support of eliminating budget gimmicks until after the 2011 session, after the budget was passed and after the Governor released the Texas Budget Compact. (KXAN, 7/9/2012, Speaker urges end to crafty accounting) (Houston Chronicle, 4/16/2012, Perry touts anti-tax ‘Texas Budget Compact’)

·         Pro-Straus businessmen don’t want the “tea party to run the show” (Dallas Morning News Blog, 5/14/2012, A Texas dividing line: business community v. the tea party)

·         Straus told the El Paso Times “we have no choice… you can’t cut your way to prosperity,” almost verbatim to a quote from President Obama’s Weekly Radio Address in 2011 (El Paso Times, 10/28/2011, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus: We have to correct the deficit) (The Hill, 6/25/2011, Obama radio address: ‘Can’t simply cut our way to prosperity’)

·         Straus told the Austin American-Statesman he doesn’t know whether Texas needs more tax revenue (Austin American-Statesman, 11/5/2011, Margins tax, economic development at top of list for Legislature’s business-focused agenda)

Redistricting

·         Joe Straus’ Redistricting plan punished conservatives (RedState.com, 4/22/2011, Texas Redistricting Plan Punishes Texas Conservatives)

·         Hispanic conservatives were drawn out of GOP-friendly House districts, including Raul Torres of Corpus Christi, Aaron Pena of Edinburg and Jose Aliseda.

·         The first House redistricting map had 7 GOP vs. GOP incumbent pairings (Texas Tribune, 4/13/2011, First House Redistricting Maps Presented)

o    The final maps drew Jim Landtroop and Wayne Christian into approximately 80% new districts

·         Straus lackey Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton moved into conservative James White’s district to run against him (unsuccessfully), despite being originally paired with Allan Ritter. (Texas Observer, 7/15/2011, Is Tea Partier James White Under Assault From His Own Party)

o    Straus previously told The Texas Report “I made it very clear that I would not campaign against incumbents of any party” (The Texas Report, No rest in off-season)

Miscellaneous

·         Straus called the TSA Bill “nothing more than an ill-advised publicity stunt” (Texas Tribune, 6/24/2011, Updated: Straus Calls TSA Bill “Publicity Stunt”)

·         Kenny Jastrow, the disgraced former CEO of Temple-Inland and board member of Guaranty Bank who presided over “one of the largest financial institution failures in U.S. history,” called Joe Straus a “steady, responsible and principled leader” in a fundraising letter. (Joe Straus fundraising letter, 10/19/2012)

·         Joe Straus’ spokesman Jason Embry told the Texas Tribune that anyone has questions the speaker’s conservative credentials “either has a special interest agenda or is not paying attention” (Texas Tribune, 10/12/2012, East Texas Republican Takes on House Speaker)

·         Five of Straus’ committee chairs suffered defeat in the 2012 primaries. Vicki Truitt, Rob Eissler, and Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton were defeated outright in the primary. Sid Miller and Chuck Hopson were defeated in the runoff.