Always Do What's Best For The Body

Full of fervent desire, I present to you Joe and Clyde:

Straus names his chief of staff

House Speaker-apparent Joe Straus today named former state Rep. Clyde Alexander as his chief of staff.

Alexander, a Democrat who represented Athens from 1989-2001 in the House, was chairman of the House Transportation Committee under former Democratic Speaker Pete Laney. He is a rancher and businessman and may bring a rural perspective to the urban-oriented Straus speakership.

As transportation chairman, Alexander recommended a nickel increase in the gas tax to pay for highway construction.

"I am honored that Clyde has accepted to return to his beloved House, in a fulltime role at my side. Clyde's insights and advice are essential to me," Straus said in a statement. "Clearly, Clyde shares my fervent desire to do what is best for the body."

I think this is pretty cool - a Democrat as Chief of Staff to our Republican Speaker of the Texas House. Joe the Speaker is off to a good start.