Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) is officially entering the race for Texas House speaker, challenging current Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio). Chisum, a member of the Texas House since 1989, previously served as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) has also announced his intent to challenge Straus. The Texas Constitution requires the Texas House to choose one of its own members to serve as speaker each time a new legislature convenes. The 150 members of the Texas House elect a speaker the first day of a legislative session. In many instances, a speaker is chosen earlier based on the collection of signed pledge cards which are then made public. This was the case in 2009 when Rep. Joe Straus announced he had collected pledges from a majority of House members.
For all of you budget winks out there, here is the link to the Legislative Appropriations Requests (LARs) for the 2012-2013 biennium:
http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/External_Links/LAR_82R/Agency_LAR_Listing_82R.htm
Agency LARs are an important step in the budget process, representing the funds each agency believes are needed to implement its strategic plans. The Legislature will consider each agency’s request as it formulates the general appropriations bill for next session.