News
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Lilly & Company raises the bar once again
February 27th 2013Tuesday, February 26th Annette Strauss Institute’s Tribute to Speaker Joe Straus - $340K raised and 375+ attendees. See the latest press on the events:
Perry hints at bigger stage for Straus
Gov. Rick Perry hinted at a bigger political stage for House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, as he helped honor him Tuesday for receiving the Texas Leadership Award from the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life.
“I look forward to many years of your leadership, in the Legislature and beyond,” Perry said.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, also on hand, said Straus had made a positive change after taking the House reins from former Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who still serves in the chamber.
“Since 2009, the bloodsport previously called debating on the floor of the House of Representatives has dramatically subsided,” said Dewhurst, who called Straus a “good and decent man” who has restored decorum to the Texas House.
University of Texas President Bill Powers joined in honoring Straus and also took time for kind words for Dewhurst and for Perry. Dewhurst has defended Powers against what he called unfair attacks from Perry-appointed regents.
Powers, after thanking Perry for his service, said, “We’re all in this together.”
He called Straus “the kind of person on whom we can hang our hopes.”
Also on hand was Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall, who praised Straus and quipped, “Who else you know drives a Prius with a Romney sticker? It’s like a Volvo with a gun rack.”
Straus thanked the institute for the honor and those who praised him; said he was pleased the evening gave him a chance for a dinner with his wife, Julie, amid the demands of the legislative session; and acknowledged his parents.
His mother, Joci Straus, attended the event. Straus said his father, Joe, was at home recovering from back surgery.
As for the praise, Straus quipped, ““People say the nicest things about you when the budget’s being written.”
Meanwhile, in another part of town
The Statesman’s Ralph K.M. Haurwitz reported that, “Texas House Speaker Joe Straus put it succinctly Tuesday evening, without getting deep into the back story: “I’m happy to report that the three of us continue to have a strong working relationship.”
“The other members of the trio to which he referred, of course, are Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Straus was referring obliquely to last week’s developments at the state Legislature, which saw the speaker and lieutenant governor establish a special House-Senate committee to examine public university governance — in particular, the practices of the University of Texas System regents, all of whom are Perry appointees.
“Dewhurst, as well as a dozen senators, made it clear last week that they are ardent supporters of UT President Bill Powers, with the lieutenant governor decrying “regents going around this man” and “trying to micromanage” the university. The Senate’s message to the regents was clear: Don’t try to run off Powers.
“But on Tuesday evening at UT’s AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, all was pleasant as the trio shared a stage with Powers to honor Straus, who was presented the “Texas Leadership Award” from the university’s Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life. The institute is named after the late Dallas mayor, a champion of civic engagement.”
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Pamerleau makes history as first female elected sheriff
November 6th 2012
By Nolan Hicks and Michelle Mondo
San Antonio Express-News
The nasty fight for Bexar County sheriff came to a history-making conclusion Tuesday night as Republican Susan Pamerleau defeated incumbent Democratic Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz to become the first woman ever elected to that position.
To applause, cheers and cries of “there's a new sheriff in town,” Pamerleau cut the first piece of her “Susan for Sheriff” cake, decorated in red, white and blue icing.
“We couldn't have done this without a great team,” Pamerleau said during a speech at the GOP headquarters before her opponent conceded the race. “My first priority is all the deputies, detention officers, civilians and their families in the Sheriff's Office. We're going to make sure they have the resources to do the job they need to do.”
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GOP's Weber beats Lampson in race to succeed Ron Paul
November 6th 2012James Pinkerton
Houston Chronicle
WASHINGTON - Republican state Rep. Randy Weber on Tuesday defeated former five-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, who waged an uphill battle to return to Capitol Hill from a third congressional district in 16 years.
Weber succeeds retiring Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, an iconic, 13-term lawmaker who pursued the GOP presidential nomination three times over the last 24 years.
Weber, 59, of Alvin, owner of an air conditioning firm, defeated Lampson in the 14th Congressional District stretching southeast from Houston to the Gulf Coast.
Weber's victory was bolstered in part by the statewide landslide for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who swept 58 percent of Texas' vote.
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San Antonio lawmakers outraise opponents in campaign cash (blog)
September 19th 2011U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, is the leading local congressional fund raiser so far for the 2012 campaign cycle.