On the off-chance that some of you have not heard the latest news in the non-race for Texas House Speaker, below is a press release from Speaker Straus and Rep. Beverly Woolley:

After a frank and open meeting with Speaker Straus, I am convinced he is committed to governing as a strong conservative during the 82nd session. As lifelong Republicans, the Speaker and I share steadfast beliefs in limited government, fiscal responsibility and low taxes; beliefs that are fundamental to the majority of my constituents,” said Rep. Woolley. “In the 82nd session, Speaker Straus will manage the House effectively, and with a supermajority behind him, we will pass conservative legislation.”

“Representative Woolley is a proven conservative leader for Texas,” said Speaker Joe Straus. “I’m honored to have Beverly’s support as we work together to address our state’s most important challenges during the upcoming legislative session.”

Beverly Woolley, long time Republican and community activist, is serving her eighth term in the Texas House of Representatives. Presently, Representative Woolley serves as a member on the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence and the House Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services.

Why is this important?

Because Rep. Woolley is a limited government fiscal conservative just like most tea party peeps. And because she is a co-chair of the newly formed Texas Tea Party Caucus, headed by Sen. Dan Patrick. If she is good enough to co-chair the Texas Tea Party Caucus, supported by 14 tea party organizers representing thousands of tea party attendees, shouldn't we listen to her?

You might remember Rep. Woolley from her attempt to reign in the government's eminent domain power during the time that Gov. Perry was trying to grab a huge swath of land for his Trans Texas Corridor. That was in 2007, HB-2006. She managed to get it passed and sent to the Governor's desk, where he vetoed it for the bogus excuse that it gave too much power to landowners. Then in the 2009 session, under Speaker Straus, a constitutional amendment was passed, avoiding Gov. Perry's veto pen, which the voters approved - HJR 14 - you may remember it as Proposition 11. It is weaker than the protection that Rep. Woolley passed but at least Gov. Perry couldn't veto it.

She gets limited government. Speaker Straus gets limited government.

Do you? Does the Texas Tea Party Advisory Board get it? One of their members sent out an email just this morning promoting a TV campaign designed to attack Speaker Straus, which will air in the "urban areas where the RINO's nest". Apparently they prefer bills about the 10 commandments and limiting freedom of travel via checkpoints to good, solid, limited government fiscal conservatism and leadership with vision.

I took thousands of pictures at dozens of Tea Party rallies between February 2009 and today. Not once did I see a sign promoting checkpoints. Not once.

Rather than waste their time and money on a futile effort, why aren't these few groups promoting good government? Follow the money.