Craddick wields power in final school finance negotiations

DentonRC.com | News for Denton, Texas | AP: Texas: "For almost 30 years, Republican Tom Craddick persevered in the House in the minority party with little power and little voice. Now, as House speaker, Craddick is proving he's arguably the most powerful man in Texas government.

Craddick's lone opposition over the weekend foiled a possible 11th-hour deal on a school funding plan, the cornerstone of the 79th Legislature.

After a turbulent week of increasing pessimism and with two days left in the session, House and Senate negotiators bore down on Saturday, finally grinding out an education spending plan that both sides could agree on.

Led by Republican Gov. Rick Perry, top negotiators from both chambers and Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst spent hours locked in a Capitol conference room before giving their blessing to a deal on classroom initiatives, such as higher teacher pay.

Then Perry took the signed plan to Craddick's office. He emerged moments later, and the most recent round of the school funding battle was dead.

'We reached an agreement on the principles on the outstanding issues,' Dewhurst said. 'Gov. Perry walked over to the speaker's office, that's all we know. The process is done.'"