Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has added his voice to the growing chorus questioning the controversial addition to the Texas Governor’s Mansion. Straus, a member of the State Preservation Board overseeing the mansion, expressed his doubts about the board’s approval process and lack of openness.

Although the project is largely taxpayer funded, plans for the $26-million renovation of the National Historic Landmark are not being released to the public or the media. The project is moving forward with no public hearings and without a public vote by the State Preservation Board.

Straus cited recent renovations in the Texas House of Representatives as an example of his concerns. At its meeting last week, the State Preservation Board voted to approve the work in the State Capitol even though the project had been completed before last year’s legislative session. Read the Austin American-Statesman's latest coverage of the issue.

In addition to Speaker Straus, six lawmakers representing Travis County as well as former governors Dolph Briscoe and Mark White have spoken out against the proposed 3,000-square-foot addition to the 9,000-square-foot mansion. Governor Briscoe had previously donated $100,000 to the restoration of the arson-damaged executive mansion.

What you can do

• Contact Texas House Speaker Joe Straus to thank him for his stand on the Governor's Mansion and encourage him to keep pushing for an open planning process.
• Contact John Sneed, executive director of the State Preservation Board, to call for the public release of the plans and for public hearings on the proposed renovations.
• Contact Mark Wolfe, executive director of Texas Historical Commission, to call for the public release of the plans and for public hearings on the proposed renovations.
• Sign the Heritage Society of Austin's online petition opposing the planned addition to the Texas Governor's Mansion.
• Visit GHPA's page on the proposed Governor's Mansion addition to learn more about the controversy.

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance will continue providing its members with updates on this important issue as information becomes available.

Photo: Texas Governor's Mansion before the 2008 fire (flickr: mhowry / license)