By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-814937.mp3
Austin, TX – On the first day of the 2009 legislative session 49-year old Joe Straus of San Antonio took the oath of office as the new House Speaker replacing Tom Craddick. KERA's Shelley Kofler reports from the capitol in Austin.
Joe Straus, a two term republican representative will be the House's first Jewish Speaker since reconstruction. He was drafted by 11 House Republicans and a majority of Democrats who said Speaker Tom Craddick was too heavy handed.
In a chamber packed with officials and friends Straus said his job is to reach across the aisle and stop the squabbling that has often kept the House from completing important. business.
Among the big issues this legislature will face immediately is a loss of state revenue. The comptroller says lawmakers will have 10 and a half percent less this session to work with.