Texas House of Representatives

Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
	Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type	Lower house
Leadership
Speaker of the House	Joe Straus (R) ; since January 13, 2009
Speaker pro Tempore	Craig Eiland (D) ; since February 12, 2009
Structure
Seats	150
Political groups	Democratic Party (71) ; Republican Party (79)
Elections
Last election	November 4, 2008
Meeting place
	House Chamber, Texas State Capitol, Austin
Website
	http://www.house.state.tx.us

The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits. The House meets at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Leadership of the House

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and key leader of the House. The Speaker's duties include maintaining order within the House, recognizing members during debate, rule on procedural matters, the appointment chairships and members to committees, sending bills for committee review. The Speaker pro tempore is a primarily a ceremonial position; by long-standing tradition, the Speaker pro tempore presides over the House during its consideration of local and consent bills.

Unlike other state legislatures, the House Rules do not formally recognize majority or minority leaders for parties represented in the House. However, each political party has a caucus that elects officers and participates in the lawmaking process. The leader of the Republican caucus is the Caucus Chairman, while the leader of the Democratic Caucus is the House Democratic Leader.

The current Speaker of the House is Joe Straus, a Republican from San Antonio. The Speaker pro tempore is Craig Eiland, a Democrat from Galveston. The current Republican Caucus Chairman is Larry Taylor of Friendswood and the current House Democratic Leader is Jim Dunnam of Waco.

Leaders

Position	Name	Party	Residence	District
Speaker of the House	Joe Straus	Republican	San Antonio	121
Speaker Pro Tempore	Craig Eiland	Democratic	Galveston	23

Committee Structure

The following represents the House committee structure for the 81st Legislature.

Agriculture and Livestock
Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Business and Economic Development
- Subcommittee on Criminal Justice
- Subcommittee on Education
- Subcommittee on General Government
- Subcommittee on Health & Human Services
- Subcommittee on Hurricane
- Subcommittee on Stimulus
Border & Intergovernmental Affairs
Business & Industry
Calendars
Corrections
County Affairs
Criminal Jurisprudence
Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Elections
Energy Resources
Environmental Regulation
Federal Economic Stabilization Funding (Select Committee)
General Investigating & Ethics
Higher Education
House Administration
Human Services
Insurance
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Land & Resource Management
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Local & Consent Calendars
Natural Resources
Pensions, Investments, & Financial Resources
Public Education
Public Health
Public Safety
Redistricting
Rules & Resolutions
State Affairs
Technology, Economic Development, & Workforce
Transportation
Urban Affairs
Ways & Means

There are also statutory joint committees, composed of members of both the House and the Senate

Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight
Legislative Audit Board
Legislative Budget Board
Legislative Library Board
Sunset Advisory Commission
Texas Legislative Council

Current composition

Affiliation	Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)		Total
	Template:American politics/party colors/Republican\|	Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic\|
	Republican	Democratic		Vacant
End of previous legislature	79	71	150	0

Begin	76	74	150	0
November 6, 2009^[1]	77	73	150	0
March 18, 2010^[2]	77	72	149	1
April 02, 2010^[3]	76	72	148	2
April 20, 2010	77	73	150	0
May 31, 2010^[4]	76	73	149	1
Latest voting share	51.0%	49.0%

List of members

Representative		Party	Home Town/City	District ↑	County Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Stephen Frost \|\| D \|\| New Boston \|\| 1 \|\| Bowie, Cass, Marion, Morris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Dan Flynn \|\| R \|\| Canton \|\| 2 \|\| Rains, Hunt, Van Zandt Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Mark Homer \|\| D \|\| Paris \|\| 3 \|\| Lamar, Hopkins, Delta, Franklin, Titus, Red River Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Betty Brown \|\| R \|\| Athens \|\| 4 \|\| Henderson, Kaufman Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Bryan Hughes \|\| R \|\| Marshall \|\| 5 \|\| Camp, Upshur, Wood, Harrison Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Leo Berman \|\| R \|\| Tyler \|\| 6 \|\| Smith Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Tommy Merritt \|\| R \|\| Longview \|\| 7 \|\| Smith, Gregg Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Byron Cook \|\| R \|\| Corsicana \|\| 8 \|\| Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, Navarro Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Wayne Christian \|\| R \|\| Center \|\| 9 \|\| Shelby, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Sabine, Jasper Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Jim Pitts \|\| R \|\| Waxahachie \|\| 10 \|\| Ellis, Hill Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Chuck Hopson \|\| R \|\| Jacksonville \|\| 11 \|\| Panola, Rusk, Cherokee, Houston Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Jim McReynolds \|\| D \|\| Lufkin \|\| 12 \|\| Angelina, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Lois W. Kolkhorst \|\| R \|\| Brenham \|\| 13 \|\| Austin, Grimes, Walker, Washington Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Fred Brown \|\| R \|\| Bryan \|\| 14 \|\| Brazos Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Rob Eissler \|\| R \|\| The Woodlands \|\| 15 \|\| Montgomery Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Brandon Creighton \|\| R \|\| Conroe \|\| 16 \|\| Montgomery Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Tim Kleinschmidt \|\| R \|\| Eagle Lake \|\| 17 \|\| Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Lee Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| John Otto \|\| R \|\| Dayton \|\| 18 \|\| Montgomery, Liberty, Polk Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton \|\| R \|\| Mauriceville \|\| 19 \|\| Hardin, Newton, Orange Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Dan Gattis \|\| R \|\| Georgetown \|\| 20 \|\| Milam, Williamson Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Allan Ritter \|\| D \|\| Nederland \|\| 21 \|\| Jefferson Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Joe D. Deshotel \|\| D \|\| Port Arthur \|\| 22 \|\| Jefferson, Orange Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Craig Eiland \|\| D \|\| Galveston \|\| 23 \|\| Chambers, Galveston Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Larry Taylor \|\| R \|\| League City \|\| 24 \|\| Galveston Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Dennis Bonnen \|\| R \|\| Angleton \|\| 25 \|\| Brazoria Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Charlie F. Howard \|\| R \|\| Sugar Land \|\| 26 \|\| Fort Bend Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Dora Olivo \|\| D \|\| Missouri City \|\| 27 \|\| Fort Bend Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| John Zerwas \|\| R \|\| Katy \|\| 28 \|\| Wharton, Fort Bend, Waller Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Randy Weber \|\| R \|\| Pearland \|\| 29 \|\| Brazoria, Matagorda Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Geanie Morrison \|\| R \|\| Victoria \|\| 30 \|\| Refugio, Victoria, Jackson, DeWitt, Lavaca Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Ryan Guillen \|\| D \|\| Rio Grande \|\| 31 \|\| Duval, Starr, Webb, Zapata Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Todd Hunter \|\| R \|\| Portland \|\| 32 \|\| Calhoun, Aransas, San Patricio, Nueces Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Solomon Ortiz, Jr. \|\| D \|\| Corpus Christi \|\| 33 \|\| Nueces Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Abel Herrero \|\| D \|\| Corpus Christi \|\| 34 \|\| Nueces Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles \|\| D \|\| Beeville \|\| 35 \|\| Atascosa, Karnes, McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Jim Wells, Goliad Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Ismael "Kino" Flores \|\| D \|\| Mission \|\| 36 \|\| Hidalgo Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Rene O. Oliveira \|\| D \|\| Brownsville \|\| 37 \|\| Cameron Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Eddie Lucio III \|\| D \|\| San Benito \|\| 38 \|\| Cameron Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Armando Martinez \|\| D \|\| Weslaco \|\| 39 \|\| Hidalgo Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Aaron Peña \|\| D \|\| Edinburg \|\| 40 \|\| Hidalgo Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Veronica Gonzalez \|\| D \|\| McAllen \|\| 41 \|\| Hidalgo Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Richard Peña Raymond \|\| D \|\| Laredo \|\| 42 \|\| Webb Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Tara Rios Ybarra \|\| D \|\| Kingsville \|\| 43 \|\| Jim Hogg, Brooks, Kenedy, Willacy, Cameron Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Edmund Kuempel \|\| R \|\| Seguin \|\| 44 \|\| Wilson, Guadalupe, Gonzales Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Patrick Rose \|\| D \|\| Dripping Springs \|\| 45 \|\| Blanco, Hays, Caldwell Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Dawnna Dukes \|\| D \|\| Austin \|\| 46 \|\| Travis Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Valinda Bolton \|\| D \|\| Austin \|\| 47 \|\| Travis Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Donna Howard \|\| D \|\| Austin \|\| 48 \|\| Travis Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Elliott Naishtat \|\| D \|\| Austin \|\| 49 \|\| Travis Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Mark Strama \|\| D \|\| Austin \|\| 50 \|\| Travis Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Eddie Rodriguez \|\| D \|\| Austin \|\| 51 \|\| Travis Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Diana Moldanado \|\| D \|\| Round Rock \|\| 52 \|\| Williamson Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Harvey Hilderbran \|\| R \|\| Kerrville \|\| 53 \|\| Crockett, Sutton, Schleicher, Real, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, Mason, Llano, San Saba, McCulloch, Concho, Coleman, Runnels, Callahan Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Jimmie Don Aycock \|\| R \|\| Lampasas \|\| 54 \|\| Lampasas, Burnet, Bell Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Ralph Sheffield \|\| R \|\| Temple \|\| 55 \|\| Bell Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Charles "Doc" Anderson \|\| R \|\| Waco \|\| 56 \|\| McLennan Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Jim Dunnam \|\| D \|\| Waco \|\| 57 \|\| McLennan, Falls, Leon, Madison, Robertson Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Rob Orr \|\| R \|\| Burleson \|\| 58 \|\| Bosque, Johnson Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Sid Miller \|\| R \|\| Stephenville \|\| 59 \|\| Erath, Comanche, Mills, Hamilton, Coryell, Somervell Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Jim Keffer \|\| R \|\| Eastland \|\| 60 \|\| Brown, Eastland, Shackelford, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Hood Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Phil King \|\| R \|\| Weatherford \|\| 61 \|\| Parker, Wise Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Larry Phillips \|\| R \|\| Sherman \|\| 62 \|\| Fannin, Grayson Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Tan Parker \|\| R \|\| Flower Mound \|\| 63 \|\| Denton Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Myra Crownover \|\| R \|\| Lake Dallas \|\| 64 \|\| Denton Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Burt R. Solomons \|\| R \|\| Carrollton \|\| 65 \|\| Denton Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Van Taylor \|\| R \|\| Plano \|\| 66 \|\| Collin Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Jerry Madden \|\| R \|\| Plano \|\| 67 \|\| Collin Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Rick Hardcastle \|\| R \|\| Vernon \|\| 68 \|\| Motley, Dickens, Cottle, King, Hardeman, Foard, Knox, Haskell, Wilbarger, Baylor, Throckmorton, Young, Jack, Clay, Montague, Cooke Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| David Farabee \|\| D \|\| Wichita Falls \|\| 69 \|\| Wichita, Archer Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Ken Paxton \|\| R \|\| McKinney \|\| 70 \|\| Collin Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Susan King \|\| R \|\| Abilene \|\| 71 \|\| Nolan, Taylor Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Drew Darby \|\| R \|\| San Angelo \|\| 72 \|\| Coke, Mitchell, Scurry, Tom Green Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Doug Miller \|\| R \|\| New Braunfels \|\| 73 \|\| Gillespie, Kendall, Comal, Bandera Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Pete Gallego \|\| D \|\| Alpine \|\| 74 \|\| Uvalde, Edwards, Val Verde, Terrell, Pecos, Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Ward, Reeves, Loving, Culberson, Hudspeth Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Chente Quintanilla \|\| D \|\| El Paso \|\| 75 \|\| El Paso Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Norma Chavez \|\| D \|\| El Paso \|\| 76 \|\| El Paso Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Marisa Marquez \|\| D \|\| El Paso \|\| 77 \|\| El Paso Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Joseph E. Moody \|\| D \|\| El Paso \|\| 78 \|\| El Paso Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Joe Pickett \|\| D \|\| El Paso \|\| 79 \|\| El Paso Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Tracy O. King \|\| D \|\| Eagle Pass \|\| 80 \|\| Kinney, Maverick, Zavala, Dimmit, La Salle, Frio, Medina Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Tryon D. Lewis \|\| R \|\|Odessa \|\| 81 \|\| Andrews, Winkler, Ector Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Tom Craddick \|\| R \|\| Midland \|\| 82 \|\| Crane, Upton, Midland, Martin, Dawson Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Delwin Jones \|\| R \|\| Lubbock \|\| 83 \|\| Lubbock, Hockley, Cochran, Yoakum, Gaines Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Carl H. Isett \|\| R \|\| Lubbock \|\| 84 \|\| Lubbock Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Joseph P. Heflin \|\| D \|\| Crosbyton \|\| 85 \|\| Reagan, Irion, Sterling, Glasscock, Howard, Borden, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Crosby, Kent, Stonewall, Fisher, Jones, Hale, Floyd Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| John T. Smithee \|\| R \|\| Amarillo \|\| 86 \|\| Dallam, Hartley, Oldham, Deaf Smith, Randall Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| David Swinford \|\| R \|\| Amarillo \|\| 87 \|\| Sherman, Moore, Carson, Potter Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Warren Chisum \|\| R \|\| Pampa \|\| 88 \|\| Parmer, Bailey, Lamb, Castro, Swisher, Armstrong, Briscoe, Hall, Donley, Collingsworth, Childress, Gray, Wheeler, Hutchison, Roberts, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Hansford Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Jodie Anne Laubenberg \|\| R \|\| Rockwall \|\| 89 \|\| Rockwall, Collin Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Lon Burnam \|\| D \|\| Fort Worth \|\| 90 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Kelly Hancock \|\| R \|\| Fort Worth \|\| 91 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Todd Smith \|\| R \|\| Bedford \|\| 92 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Paula Pierson \|\| D \|\| Arlington \|\| 93 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Diane Patrick \|\| R \|\| Arlington \|\| 94 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Marc Veasey \|\| D \|\| Fort Worth \|\| 95 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Chris Turner \|\| D \|\| Arlington \|\| 96 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Mark Shelton \|\| R \|\| Fort Worth \|\| 97 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Vicki Truitt \|\| R \|\| Southlake \|\| 98 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Charlie Geren \|\| R \|\| River Oaks \|\| 99 \|\| Tarrant Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Eric Johnson \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 100 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Robert Miklos \|\| D \|\| Mesquite \|\| 101 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Carol Kent \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 102 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Rafael Anchia \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 103 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Roberto R. Alonzo \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 104 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Linda Harper-Brown \|\| R \|\| Irving \|\| 105 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Kirk England \|\| D \|\| Grand Prairie \|\| 106 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Allen Vaught \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 107 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Dan Branch \|\| R \|\| Dallas \|\| 108 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Helen Giddings \|\| D \|\| De Soto \|\| 109 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Barbara Mallory Caraway \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 110 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Yvonne Davis \|\| D \|\| Dallas \|\| 111 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Angie Chen Button \|\| R \|\| Richardson \|\| 112 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Joe Driver \|\| R \|\| Garland \|\| 113 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Will Hartnett \|\| R \|\| Dallas \|\| 114 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Jim Jackson \|\| R \|\| Carrollton \|\| 115 \|\| Dallas Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Trey Martinez Fischer\|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 116 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| David McQuade Leibowitz \|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 117 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Joe Farias\|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 118 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Roland Gutierrez \|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 119 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Ruth McClendon \|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 120 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Joe Straus\|\| R \|\| San Antonio \|\| 121 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Frank Corte, Jr. \|\| R \|\| San Antonio \|\| 122 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Mike Villarreal \|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 123 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Jose Menendez \|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 124 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Joaquin Castro \|\| D \|\| San Antonio \|\| 125 \|\| Bexar Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Patricia Harless \|\| R \|\| Spring \|\| 126 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Joe Crabb \|\| R \|\| Kingwood \|\| 127 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Wayne Smith \|\| R \|\| Baytown \|\| 128 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| John E. Davis \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 129 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Allen Fletcher \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 130 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Alma Allen \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 131 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| William "Bill" Callegari \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 132 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Kristi Thibaut \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 133 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Ellen Cohen \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 134 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Gary Elkins \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 135 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Beverly Woolley \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 136 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Scott Hochberg \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 137 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Dwayne Bohac \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 138 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Sylvester Turner \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 139 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Armando Walle \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 140 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Senfronia Thompson \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 141 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Harold V. Dutton, Jr. \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 142 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Ana Hernandez \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 143 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Ken Legler \|\| R \|\| Pasadena \|\| 144 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Carol Alvarado \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 145 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Al Edwards \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 146 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Garnet Coleman \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 147 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Jessica Cristina Farrar \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 148 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Democratic/row \|\| Hubert Vo \|\| D \|\| Houston \|\| 149 \|\| Harris Template:American politics/party colors/Republican/row \|\| Debbie Riddle \|\| R \|\| Houston \|\| 150 \|\| Harris

Notable past members

Henry Watkins Allen, later 17th Governor of Louisiana (1853)
Mickey Leland, U. S. House of Representatives (1979–1989)
Ray Barnhart, Federal Highway Administrator (1981–1987)
Dolph Briscoe, Governor of Texas (1973–1979)
Tom DeLay, U.S. House Representative (1985–2006) and House Majority Leader (2003–2006)
O.H. "Ike" Harris, Dallas County representative from 1963-1965; state senator (1967-1995)
Robert Dean Hunter, former executive vice president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas
Kay Bailey Hutchison, current U.S. Senator (1993–present)
Ray Hutchison, husband of Kay Bailey Hutchison
Barbara Jordan, feminist advocate and U.S. House Representative (1973–1979).
Craig Washington, U. S. House of Representatives (1989–1995)
Rick Perry, current Governor of Texas, (2000–present)
Coke R. Stevenson, Governor of Texas (1941–1947)
Sarah Weddington, attorney for Jane Roe for the 1973 Roe v. Wade case in the U.S. Supreme Court
Charles Wilson, U.S. House of Representatives (1973–1996), subject of the book and film Charlie Wilson's War
Jack Brooks, U.S. House of Representatives (1953–1995)
Sam Rayburn, U.S. House Representative (1913–1961) and Speaker of the House (1940–1961)

Recent controversies

House voting controversy

On May 14, 2007, CBS Austin affiliate KEYE reported on multiple voting by representatives during House floor sessions.^[5] The report noted how representatives register votes for absent members on the House's automated voting machines. Each representative would vote for the nearest absent members (apparently regardless of party affiliation). This practice was in direct violation of a Rule of the House; however, no representative had ever been disciplined for the practice in the almost 70 years since the rule was adopted. Speaker Craddick, responsible for enforcement of House Rules, issued a statement that discipline for violations of the rule is left to the individual members.

Craddick removal controversy

Chaos erupted in the Texas House of Representatives on Friday, May 25, 2007, when Rep. Fred Hill, R-Richardson, attempted to offer a motion to remove Tom Craddick as Speaker and have the House elect a new speaker. Craddick (also a Republican) refused to allow him to make the motion.^[6] The attempts to oust Craddick continued through the weekend as other Republicans made additional motions, which were also disallowed.

The last time a Texas House speaker was removed by a vote of his fellow members was in 1871, when the House adopted a resolution removing Speaker Ira Evans. The Republican House majority removed Evans because he was seen as cooperating too much with Democrats on an elections bill.^[6] While Craddick's close allies say the 2007 attempt to remove Craddick was just an effort by Democrats to gain greater control of the Legislature before the legislative and congressional redistricting process of 2011,^[6] Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, says the fight was about Craddick consolidating power with lobbyists and using campaign contributions to maintain control in the House: "This is about the convergence of money and power and influence," Cook said."^[6]

In January 2009, Craddick lost the Speaker's chair after a challenge from Joe Straus.

References

^ Democrat Chuck Hopson (D-011) switched parties and joined the Republicans
^ Democrat Terri Hodge (D-100) resigns
^ Republican Brian McCall (R-066) resigns
^ Republican Carl Isett (R-084) resigns
^ CBS Channel 42 KeyeTV Investigates: One Lawmaker, Many Votes?, May 14, 2007, available at "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG6X-xtVask"; see also Wilson, Nanci, One Lawmaker, Many Votes?, May 14, 2007, available at "www.keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_134224129.html"
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d R.G. Ratcliffe and Gary Scharrer. "The House struggles to move forward". Houston Chronicle, chron.com (May 27, 2007). Retrieved 2007-05-27.

External links

Texas House of Representatives

Template:Usleg

[1] Democrat Chuck Hopson (D-011) switched parties and joined the Republicans

[2] Democrat Terri Hodge (D-100) resigns

[3] Republican Brian McCall (R-066) resigns

[4] Republican Carl Isett (R-084) resigns

[5] CBS Channel 42 KeyeTV Investigates: One Lawmaker, Many Votes?, May 14, 2007, available at "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG6X-xtVask"; see also Wilson, Nanci, One Lawmaker, Many Votes?, May 14, 2007, available at "www.keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_134224129.html"

[The_House_struggles_to_move_forward-6] R.G. Ratcliffe and Gary Scharrer. "The House struggles to move forward". Houston Chronicle, chron.com (May 27, 2007). Retrieved 2007-05-27.

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