January 12, 2105
(http://www.statesman.com/news/news/contest-for-house-speaker-to-be-decided-with-rare-/njmjm/)
By Tim Eaton and Chuck Lindell
Texas’ every-odd-year Legislature gavels into its 84th session at noon Tuesday with much pomp and ceremony, a couple dozen first-time legislators, and — within the first hour — the House of Representatives could name its leader.
In the first real order of business after convening the 140-day regular session, the members of the Texas House will decide if they want to keep Speaker Joe Straus at the helm or give the job to his tea party-backed challenger, state Rep. Scott Turner. A second-term Republican from Frisco, Turner vowed Monday to call for a recorded vote in which each member will have to announce his or her choice for speaker, something that hasn’t occurred in decades.
