Our sister station, WFAA-TV in Dallas does a 30 minute political talk show on Sundays and today it features an interview with Speaker Joe Straus, who was visiting Dallas over the weekend. (See the full show here.)

What Straus said on the issues:
Should Texas take the $555 mil in federal stimpak money for unemployment insurance, even if it means having to tweak state law?

We're looking at it right now, there are some very good questions that are raised by the governor on this, but there may be some solutions that satisfy the more conservative, pro-business legislators and those who are advocating for doing as much as possible for the unemployed.

It's a legitimate question to say, change in state law for how long? Only as long as federal money flows this way? Or change in state law forever? I know Tom Pauken said there may be some compromise where we change it only until the federal money runs out. I don't have a position on it but I know that the discussions are healthy to have.

How will we finance the trust fund when the UI money runs out?
I think the concern that's legitimate is what do we do when we get past these next few months, and next few years, and beyond. Are we putting ourselves in a position...

Universities are complaining their colleges are flooded with top 10% students. Where do you stand on changing the top 10% rule for college admissions?
I'm going to try real hard from my position to change it, it's become completely out of control. The estimates are that UT Austin next year will have no discretion in what students they decide to accept. I don't think that was intended when this bill was originally passed. I hope the legislature will agree to significantly roll that back...some kind of acceptable cap, maybe 50% or something like that, and I'll try to help there.

What about a tuition freeze?
I know it's a significant political issue, and I know that Texas families have been speaking out very loudly. With the significant increases in tuition since tuition was deregulated... I still think personally that in many cases a higher education, public universities is still a pretty good deal relative to the rest of the country. But the point is well taken that increases in recent years have been significant so I think the political will is there to do something to help with the affordability of higher education.

Times are tough, and when times are tough, debate over gambling expansion intensifies. What are chances of casinos in Galveston or something like that?
In the interest of full disclosure, I come from family with gambling interests... I've recused myself from any involvement in gaming legislation.

To answer your question, times are tough and we were facing a $9.1 billion shortfall in our budget when we were coming into the session. The stimulus package may wind up making up for that such that gambling legislation doesn't progress very far this session.

Are toll roads the only way to go in the future?
Toll roads in some cases are appropriate. I know the decision has been made here in Dallas for a major project. I tend to be an advocate for local caontrol and letting local communities do what's good for them.

Voter ID - how far will it go in the House?
I hope it doesn't tear up the house. I think a lot of it depends on what the bill looks like from the Senate.

To hear his complete answers, click on the video above.

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