July 11, 2017
Steven F. Hotze, M.D.
Publisher, CRTX News
www.crtxnews.com
Last night there was a coup in San Antonio against Speaker Joe Straus. Another nail was driven into Straus’ coffin.
The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Bexar County, Straus’ home county, which encompasses San Antonio, passed a “No Confidence” vote on Straus leadership of the Texas House.
Two resolutions were passed by the precinct chairs of Bexar County. They were both introduced by precinct chairman, Mike O’Donnell.
Resolution #1 – I move that we of the Bexar County GOP support Governor Abbott’s and Lt. Gov. Patrick’s agenda for the upcoming special legislative session — with special emphasis on the “bathroom bill.”
Resolution #2 – I move that we of the Bexar County support a change of leadership in the Texas House Speakership because of a lack of support for the Republican Party of Texas Platform by the current incumbent (Straus).
Both resolutions passed despite vocal opposition from pro Straus precinct chairs. They claimed that if these resolutions passed that Joe Straus would cut off his funding of the Bexar County Republican Party and that young people would not support the Republican Party candidates.
The opponents of the resolutions called for a quorum in an attempt to prevent the resolutions from being voted upon. A quorum was present and the resolutions were introduced and passed.
Basically, the Straus supporters were saying that the Republican Party of Texas Platform does not matter. What is more important is making sure that they get funded by Joe Straus. Furthermore, they want to adopt the values of the current culture in an attempt to gain votes. Their underlying premise was that by adopting Democrat positions, then we will get more votes for Republicans. These folks ought to join the Democrat party. They would be welcomed there.
I asked Mike O’Donnell why he had decided to introduce these resolutions. Mike told me, “Dr. Hotze, I have been reading your articles in CRTX News and listening to the Raging Elephant radio programs with Apostle Claver and felt that this needed to be done.” He went on to say that he had only thought about these resolutions the day before the meeting, and that he did not think that these would pass. Yet, he felt that they needed to be introduced, because it was the right thing to do.
Mike O’Donnell reminds me of David when he challenged Goliath with only a sling shot. David had placed his trust in the Lord God of Hosts who was bigger than Goliath. David won and so did Michael O’Donnell, and so did conservative Republicans across the state of Texas.
This rejection by his home county Republican party is a death blow to Straus from which he will not be able to recover.
The CRTX News poll showed that 68% of Republican primary voters oppose Straus and want him removed as speaker and replaced by a conservative Republican.
Texas is the most conservative state in America. We have both a conservative Republican Governor and Lt. Governor. Republicans have a 20-11 majority in the Texas Senate. The Republicans outnumber the Democrats 95-55 in the Texas House, yet Straus has appointed an equal number of Democrats as Republicans to Committee Chairmanship or Vice-Chairmanship leadership positions. Most of the Republicans that Straus appointed were RINO Republicans. This is why almost all the conservative legislation passed by the Texas Senate under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick never had a chance to pass in the Texas House.
Straus currently has as his base support, 55 Dems who have agreed to support him. All RINO Straus needs is 21 RINO Republican state representatives to support him to keep his position.
With 95 Republican state representatives, out of 150 in the Texas House, it is inconceivable that we do not have a stalwart conservative Republican as Speaker of the Texas House.
With Gov. Abbott’s call to add SB 6, The Women’s Privacy Act, “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms!”, to the Special Session, many state representatives realize that they must replace Straus as Speaker in this Special Session. They realize that their constituents want them to protect the privacy and safety of women and girls in public and school bathrooms, showers and locker rooms, as well as pass the conservative legislation supported by Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick. Straus opposes SB 6 because he vehemently opposes Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and wants to do whatever is necessary to block their conservative agenda.
The Texas House is overwhelmingly Republican by a margin of 95 Republicans to 55 Democrats. It is inconceivable that we do not have a conservative speaker. Straus’s base of support is made up of 55 Democrats. All he needs is 21 RINOs to be elected. This is why RINO Straus did not even allow committee hearing on numerous conservative bills that were supported by Governor Abbott and passed by lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Texas Senate.
During the recent legislative session, Straus not only blocked SB 6, but he also blocked the following conservative bills:
- Providing for property tax reform
- Providing school vouchers for special needs children
- Spending limits on local and state governments
- Prohibition for state and local governments for collecting union dues
- Prohibiting state and local governments for spending money on killing unborn children
- Prohibiting insurance companies from requiring coverage for killing unborn children
- Preventing voter fraud
- Restricting local governments’ ability to confiscate private property through “Eminent Domain.”
These and other issues will be addressed in the Special Session.
Gov. Abbott was forced to call the Special Session because Straus blocked conservative legislation passed by the Texas Senate and supported by Gov. Abbott.
Straus receives more money from the liberal labor unions than any other Republican State Speakers and all but 3 Democrat State Speakers in the United States. Straus received $195,000 from the alt-left unions prior to his 2014 race for state representative. This past legislative session Straus and his House Committee Chairmen killed a bill that passed the Texas Senate that would have ended the collection of union dues by local and state governments on behalf of public employee unions that then direct most of those funds to elect Democrats.
Straus supports the pro-abortion agenda. Straus voted for third-trimester abortions in 2005, received a 100% rating from the National Abortion Rights Action League in 2007, and Straus received $1,000 from Planned Parenthood in 2008. No wonder Planned Parenthood thanked him for his “tireless work” in 2009 after he became House Speaker.
Straus has remained silent in the face of exposé videos which document that Planned Parenthood has profited from the sale of baby body parts.
Straus vehemently opposes SB 6, the Women’s Privacy Act, “No Men in Women’s Bathrooms!” Why would anyone support allowing perverted men and boys to use enter women’s and girls’ public and school bathrooms, showers and locker rooms, much less Straus, the Republican speaker of the Texas House, who is married with two daughters? I just don’t get it! Not only is SB 6 the right thing to do, it is politically supported by 84% of Republican Primary voters.
Straus also blocked SB 2, the Property Tax Reduction Bill, in the Texas House. Under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, it overwhelmingly passed the Texas Senate 18-12.
Time and time again liberal, career, RINO politician Straus has either blocked or watered down conservative legislation passed by the Texas Senate under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Since the Texas House leadership is made up of RINOs, the disturbing result is that mainstream conservative legislation, which passes the Texas Senate, ultimately dies in the House. As the Speaker of the House, Straus has worked overtime to oppose Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick, and block the passage of conservative legislation. Straus uses his committee chairmen to delay and block conservative bills. Straus has killed conservative bills in session after session.
The Republican state representatives know that their failure to pass these strong pieces of conservative legislation will make them vulnerable to conservative opponents in the upcoming 2018 primaries. They do not want RINO Straus’ liberal politics wrapped around their neck when they run for reelection.
I am not going to tell you that Straus must be removed from the Speaker position in the Special Session in order for conservative legislation to be adopted. You can decide that for yourself.
Texas Republicans deserve better! It’s time for a change.
The Executive Committee of the Bexar County Republican Party has put another nail in Straus’ coffin by their vote of “No Confidence” for Straus.
Contact your Republican state representative today and tell him or her to vote to remove Straus from the speaker position in the upcoming Special Session which begins on July 18. You can click on this link to find out who your state representative is, http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/find-your-representative/.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a Speaker of the House who was as conservative as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick?
If you would like to receive the daily CRTX newsletter to keep yourself informed of the latest state, national and international news from a Christian conservative perspective, then all you have to do is go to the CRTX News website and sign up for free to receive it, www.crtxnews.com.
CRTX News is making a difference in Texas politics and in the Texas Legislature. In order for us to keep you informed we need your support.
Would you please consider supporting the efforts of CRTX News to keep you informed by clicking here http://crtxnews.com/donate/? Your support of $25, $50, $100 or more will help us keep you informed. Thank you for your support.
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for you to do nothing.
“Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.” (Psalm 108:13)
Please be sure to refer your like-minded Christian and conservative family members and friends to our website, www.crtxnews.com. Forward this article to them.
CRTXNEWS. All rights reserved www.crtxnews.com