Retiring Texas House Speaker Joe Straus was honored today with the top award for public service from the state's local leaders, the mayors and county judges who make up the Texas Association of Regional Councils, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Diane Rath, who is the Executive Director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments, said Straus is the perfect example of an effective political leader.
"Anyone who has had the privilege of working with him has quickly learned just how deeply he cares about our needs and how hard he has fought for us. The State Legislslature will never be the same without Joe Straus."
Straus, who has announced that he will nto seek re-election this year, pointed out that he is still Speaker until the 2019 session selects his successor.
"I still have close to a year on my term left," he said. "I don't know what the future holds after that, but I don't plan to disappear entirely."
Straus was named one of 'Those Who Made a Difference' in 2017 by 1200 WOAI News Radio. He was also named Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News.
The TARC award also recognizes Straus for his leadership.Without mentioning the 'Bathroom Bill' or other issues that he stood against in the 2017 Regular and Special Sessions, Straus said 'local control' has always been important to him as a political leader.
"You all serve closest to the people who we all represent," he said. "You know the issues that are most important to them. You known their problems."
Straus couldn't help but take a shot at the Legislative Chamber which vexed his final year as Speaker, passing measures that he was able to kill in the House, like the Bathroom Bill.
"If I wanted to carry on at length about something really boring, and talk about myself, I would have run for the Texas Senate."