Speaker Straus names his committees

AUSTIN (KXAN) - GOP House Speaker Joe Straus, whose election depended on Democratic support, gave about half of his chairmanships to Democrats in his much-anticipated committee assignments on Thursday.

The leadership team now mirrors the make-up of the House, which is 76 Republicans and 74 Democrats. Last session, nearly 80 percent of chairmen were Republicans, even though the split was only by a handful of seats.

Among them is Austin Rep. Mark Strama, who was named chariman of a new committee called Technology, Economic Development and Workforce. 

"When I became Speaker, I vowed to help the members build a house that would operate fairly and help them bring their best talent forward to address the state's most difficult challenges," said Straus. "The committee assignments I am making today will draw upon the House's wisdom and experience and provide an opportunity for new leadership and ideas. We are fortunate to have a House where members want do what is best and right for Texas and I am confident that they will succeed."

Rep. Jim McReynolds, D-Lufkin, took over Corrections from Jerry Madden, who was bumped to vice-chairman. Local and Consent Calendars, which oversees the bread-and-butter local bills, was taken from Sugarland GOP Rep. Charlie Howard and given to Houston Democratic Rep. Senfronia Thompson. 

Howard's decision last session to hold some local bills hostage in what many said was a retaliatory measure against Democrats was a watershed moment for the anti-Craddick resistance. Several House Republicans, including chairmen, joined the fight against Craddick after delaying their own local bills in a dramatic display of solidarity on the House floor.

Thompson was one of the architects of that plan, along with Austin GOP Rep. Dan Gattis. So her appointment to the post is particularly fitting, given the history.

Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, was named Speaker Pro Tem.

He also allowed many allies of former House Speaker Tom Craddick to keep of their favorite committees, following up at least a little on his promise that he would not punish people for their stance in the speaker race.

San Antonio Rep. Frank Corte, the Republican House Caucus chairman and staunch Craddick friend, retained his seat at the head of Defense and Veteran's Affiars.

John Smithee, who challenged Straus' run for speaker for about 12 hours, kept his chairmanship as head of the Insurance Committee.

Yet, it was apparent that some of the House leaders who helped enforce Craddick's "absolute authority" leadership style were on a hit list of sorts.

David Swinford, former chairman of the coveted House State Affairs committee, was replaced with Carrollton Republican Rep. Burt Solomons, a key player in Straus' election. Phil King of Weatherford lost his chairmanship over one of the most influential and highly coveted panels, Regulated Industries - whose lobbyists in oil, gas, electricity, telecom and similar industries have the most money to spend and throw the swankest parties. Beverly Woolley of Houston lost one of the most powerful positions of all: Chair of Calenders, which went instead to Plano Rep. Brian McCall, who challenged the speaker briefly in 2006.  

Tom Craddick used his seniority to secure a spot on State Affairs, and was appointed by Straus to Energy Resources. It's a good fit for the Midland Republican who has a strong background in oil and gas.

The return of seniority appointments, which lets the most senior members pick their own committees, meant the return of several Democrats to the Appropriations Committee.

 At the bottom of this story there are some charts that dissect the committees and House membership: