Joe Straus is a strong fiscal conservative who most recently led the Texas House of Representatives to balance the State budget by cutting more than $14 billion in spending instead of raising taxes. He’s one of the few Legislators ever to lead efforts to abolish a tax, saving taxpayers roughly $200 million a year thanks to his passage of legislation that abolished the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund tax once it had served its purpose. …READ MORE
As a legislator and a father, Joe knows that the education of the next generation is critical to Texas’ future. At a time when other areas of the budget were getting fewer dollars, Joe made public schools a top priority. Although legislators were not able to fully fund the existing formulas for enrollment growth, they did provide additional funds to our public schools at a time when many other areas lost dollars. Joe knows that some educational improvements have nothing to do with money or government. A child’s first and most important classroom is at home, and Joe is working to make Texas a national leader in getting parents more involved in their children’s education.
Joe Straus is a champion of policies that encourage job creation and economic growth. He knows that it’s the small business owners, entrepreneurs and private sector that create jobs – not government – so he works to keep the tax burden low and state laws and regulations fair and reasonable. He’s focused on improving statewide economic development efforts and attracting more high-paying manufacturing jobs to Texas.
During his two sessions as leader of the Texas House, Joe and his fellow House members:
- Cut spending to achieve two balanced, no-new-taxes budgets
- Cut $14 billion from the state budget during the 82nd Session alone
- Protected billions in the Rainy Day Fund to pay for future emergencies
- Strengthened the integrity of voting
- Improved tort reform laws …READ MORE
Joe Straus’ first priority is standing up for the people who elected him, the residents of District 121. His selection by his peers to serve as their Speaker means greater clout for San Antonio at the state Capitol. San Antonio and its citizens benefit from the efforts he’s supported: …READ MORE
With Joe’s leadership, the Texas House provided assistance for military men and women who suffer severe burns in the line of duty. Many of these wounded warriors are treated in San Antonio at the Brooke Army Medical Center, recently renamed as the San Antonio Military Medical Center.
The Legislature created the College Credit for Heroes program that allows military personnel to receive academic or workforce education credit for experience obtained during their military service.
Both of these programs recognize the value of the military service of the men and women who safeguard our freedom, and will benefit the people and economy of San Antonio.
Joe Straus knows that our growing state has growing needs, from water resources to transportation infrastructure. During the last decade, Texas’ population grew by almost 21 percent, and even greater growth is projected for the next 10 years. He has put the House to work looking at ways to improve transportation infrastructure, address water shortages caused by the drought, implement the state’s water plan and improve wildfire response to better protect life and property.
