Y'all-itics

In the June 21 episode, Texas voters hear from the candidates who want to be Lieutenant Governor. Incumbent Republican Dan Patrick explains what else he’d like to accomplish if elected to a fourth term. Democratic nominee Vikki Goodwin, a state Representative, is looking to build up her profile with voters outside of the Austin area. And Mike Collier is trying to run as an independent, but a court will have to decide if he makes the ballot at all.

According to Corpus Christi’s own dashboard, the city will move into a level 1 water emergency in just a few months in December. That will lead to dramatic cuts in water usage for residents, businesses, and industry. If city leaders have known about this problem for years, why haven’t they been able to fix it? A recent 17.5-hour council meeting provides some insight. Instead of voting on a new desalination plant, council members kicked the can down the road for another 90 days. In this episode of Y’all-itics, At-Large Council Member Mark Scott joins the Jasons to discuss the dysfun...

In the June 14 episode, Democratic nominee for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa’s campaign is focused on public education and she explains why she’d fire the TEA Commissioner on day one and why she would pause the A-F accountability system. Mayor John Muns discusses traffic concerns surrounding the Dallas Stars’ move north to Plano. And state Senator Paul Bettencourt reacts to the Governor’s call for data center regulation. GUESTS Gina Hinojosa, D – Candidate for Texas Governor Mayor John Muns, Plano State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R – District 7

In the June 7 episode, former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said businesses have lost confidence in elected leaders at Dallas City Hall. He also proposes remaking Dallas' municipal government to make the mayor more accountable to voters. Corpus Christi Council Member Kaylynn Paxson explains why her city has again postponed a vote on a new desalination plant, and state Rep. Ramon Romero questions why the state revoked more than 6,000 driver's licenses of immigrants in the country legally.

A turnaround plan was already in the works before the bombshells started dropping last week. But how does downtown Dallas reinvent itself without two pro-sports teams, major corporate headquarters and an iconic department store? Jennifer Scripps, President & CEO at Downtown Dallas, Inc., invited the Jasons downtown to hear about some of the “wacky” ideas to restart the city center. They got a preview of the plan that’s due out in September over a beer at The Midnight Rambler in the Joule Hotel. GUEST: Jennifer Scripps President & CEO Downtown Dallas Inc.

In the May 31 episode, Republican Party of Texas chair Abraham George and Texas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder discuss whether either party can truly unite after bitter primaries and how Ken Paxton and James Talarico can win over independents. And the co-chair of “Say Yes to Downtown,” Tré Black, explains why the group just released a new ad urging younger people to reimagine the future of Dallas City Hall.

00:00 - The Unofficial Off-The-Record Rule

00:30 - Y'all-itics @ Pensacola Brewing Company

02:14 - Ken Paxton’s Landslide Victory Over John Cornyn

04:10 - The Trump Endorsement Effect in Texas Politics

06:55 - How the US Senate is Reacting to MAGA

11:58 - MAGA Voters Getting Paxton Over In November

16:47 - Political Ads Heading Into November

23:45 - Big Night For MAGA and Their Future in the GOP

30:17 - Election Results From CD-33 Race

33:16 - Elections Results from CD-9 Race

35:28 - Election Results from CD-18 Race

In the May 24 episode, U.S. Representative Julie Johnson and former Congressman Colin Allred provide voters in the 33rd District one final pitch before the runoff election. The Democrats also tell you how they differ from one another in one of the most combative races in the runoff cycle. And Republican candidate for Texas Comptroller Don Huffines explains why he’d audit TXDOT if elected, and what he has to say about Texas still spending billions on the border even after President Trump virtually sealed it. GUESTS Julie Johnson, D – Candidate for 33rd District Colin Allred, D – Candidate for 33rd Distri...

That escalated quickly. In the weeks and days leading up to the May 26 runoff election, campaigns have increasingly turned bitter on both the right and the left. Are the ugly campaigns working? Are they turning off voters? Will it impact turnout? In this runoff election primer, the Jasons turned to Votebeat Editorial Director Jessica Huseman and Fort Worth Star Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy for answers and everything else you need to know before heading to the polls. GUESTS Jessica Huseman, Votebeat Editorial Director Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star Telegram

The threat is only dozens of miles from Texas’ southern border. And if it takes hold, it could lead to an economic loss in the billions. The New World Screwworm (NWS) seeks out wounded animals, but could also infest our pets, even hunters. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons learn about the steps Texas leaders are taking to keep the pests out of Texas, and the plan to deal with it when it crosses the border. And a Texas rancher with hundreds of head of cattle explains what’s keeping him up at night. GUESTS Dr. Thomas “TR” Lansford...

In the May 17 episode, Republican candidates for Texas Attorney General Chip Roy and Mayes Middleton throw barbs at one another and press their cases to voters before the May 26 runoff election. And Sarah Eckhardt, the Democratic nominee for Texas Comptroller tells us her day one priority if she’s elected in the fall.

Violent offenses, murder in particular, may have dropped in Dallas, but gun violence involving juveniles has not. There are many causes, but few solutions. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Joe Sexton who worked for months on a story focused on a Dallas mother who survived unimaginable loss and whose story is a real-life personification of this crime conundrum. GUEST Joe Sexton, Journalist

In the May 10 episode, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran tells us why he endorsed a candidate in a Republican primary for the first time ever, while the roundtable discusses whether the GOP can reunite after a bruising U.S. Senate race. Council Member Chad West on why money is suddenly tight at Dallas City Hall. And U.S. Rep. Roger Williams explains why he thinks the World Cup is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for large and small businesses alike.

Texas is not the Big Apple, but these days it seems everyone wants a big bite. Not one. Not two. But three stock exchanges now have addresses in the Lone Star State, including a homegrown rival to the long-established exchanges from New York. Big Money is banking on Texas being central to this country’s future growth. Why are the exchanges here? How will this change Texas? And is even Texas big enough for all three of them? The Jasons hear from Edward Crawford with NYSE Texas about the Texas stock market stampede. Wheelers digital article: https://www.wfaa.com/ar...

In the May 3 episode, U.S. Rep. Keith Self discusses his votes on three critical pieces of legislation passed in the U.S. House: the farm bill, a controversial spy program extension and funding for most of DHS. But does he support a blank check for the Iran war? Houston Council Member Abbie Kamen explains why she thinks the city’s new ICE policy violates the Fourth Amendment. And Dallas Council Member Maxie Johnson tells us why he’s asking for random gunfire to be classified as a higher priority crime.

Already operating on thin margins, Texas farmers are being squeezed yet again, this time by a war 7,300 miles away. The cost of fertilizer and diesel have skyrocketed since Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And farmers have no choice but to pay the price… in more ways than one. In this episode, Y’all-itics heads to the farm to speak with farmer and rancher James Foster who explains why this is the toughest situation he’s faced in his 25 years of farming and why that group is sticking with President Donald Trump. Guests James Foster, Texas Farmer Sid Miller...

In the April 26 episode, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller tells us how Texas farmers are being squeezed by a war 7,300 miles away, and whether rising fertilizer and diesel costs will impact your grocery prices. Corpus Christi Council Member Mark Scott discusses the city’s impending water emergency and why residents may have to cut water usage by 25%. And Texas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder talks about keeping the party focused during an internal fight over party leadership. 00:00 — Texas Political Headlines: EARLY VOTING, GOP TO DROP LAWSUIT, AND NEW AIR FORCE ONE 03:03 — INTERVIEW: Sid Miller on Rising Fuel Costs & Farming Pressures 07:28 — ROUNDTAB...

Governor Abbott wants to freeze property appraisals statewide for five years, but Tarrant County just tried a two-year version—and the results are shocking. Chandler Crouch joins the Jasons on the patio at Manhattan Project Brewing Co. and shares the data he tried to show the Governor and the Tarrant County Appraisal District. Crouch also gives the one thing you MUST do before the next deadline to protect your wallet. GUEST Chandler Crouch, Chandler Crouch Realtors/FreeTaxProtest.com Eric Crile, TAD Board of Directs Member

In the April 19 episode, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pushes back against proposed budget cuts to NASA and argues that Iran will not be a forever war. On Tuesday, Arlington city council votes to spend $273-million dollars to keep the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T stadium through 2055.  Council Member Bowie Hogg takes our questions on whether voters should get a say in it. And state Senator Royce West, D-Dallas, says his 1999 law to help minority- and women-owned state businesses get a cut of state contracts needs some tweaking - even as he defends it in court.

Long waits in juvenile detention. Cases languishing in court. High recidivism. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot called it a failure of responsibility and set out to change it. And some four years later, it appears to be working. Earlier intervention and a better understanding of risk factors appear to be lowering the bad numbers and raising the good numbers across the board. In this episode of Y’all-itics, Creuzot discusses how and why they changed the way they thought about juvenile justice and the new report that says the results are substantial. GUEST John Creuzot, Dallas County District Attorney

In the April 12 episode, Fort Worth District 3 Council Member Michael Crain explains what he wants state lawmakers to do when it comes to regulating data centers, and why his residents don’t think leaders should be providing tax breaks. State Representative John Bucy III tells us why he’ll file legislation to prevent one party from dictating how another party runs elections at the local level. And State Representative Jared Patterson on why he thinks recent jury verdicts against social media will help him pass legislation banning under-16s from using it in Texas.

Texas leads the nation in new solar installations — and now, a massive factory just south of Dallas is churning out 25,000 Texas-made panels every day. Y’all-itics hit the road to meet Jaime Gualy, a former oil and gas guy turned solar exec, who says despite political headwinds, the future of solar in Texas is shining bright.

In the April 5 episode, state Rep. Carl Tepper, R-Lubbock, says annexing part of New Mexico is no joke. He explains what it might take to get it done. Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne on the House Republicans rare pushback against the President, the Senate and Speaker Johnson, plus Dallas Council Member Paul Ridley on whether he still has confidence in the city manager after new revelations on the future of the iconic city hall building.

NASA’s Artemis II mission is a go. And four astronauts will soon travel farther from Earth and closer to the Moon than any human in more than 50 years. The mission will be full of “firsts” and “farthests” in an effort to get humans ready to once again step foot on the lunar surface and eventually travel to Mars. In this early release episode of Y’all-itics, retired, and highly decorated, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy explains why it matters, what it means when the astronauts wave across the ditch, and how in the world they take a toilet break among four people...

The deadline to drop out of the runoff has come and gone, so Republican voters in Texas will have a Cornyn vs. Paxton ballot in the May 26 Primary runoff election. And just like the gladiatorial combat made famous in the Mad Max series - - this political grudge match has already been vicious and unrelenting. In this episode of Y’all-itics, our political experts tell the Jasons this is only the beginning, and it will get nastier. Meantime, by the fall, the U.S. Senate race could become a $200 million campaign, a spending level never reached before. GUESTS Vinny Minchillo, GO...

In the March 29 episode, U.S. Representative Craig Goldman explains why he’s not opposed to the war in Iran and whether he’d support boots on the ground. State Representative Ramón Romero Jr. tells us why he supports the new FWISD Superintendent installed by the state and why he’s okay with Texas removing the name Cesar Chavez. And former DISD Board President Miguel Solis discusses the district’s proposed $6.2 billion bond, which would be the largest in state history.

China has become, by far, the epicenter of new mega battery storage projects for its electric grid. But after that, the most compelling ramp up of battery power is happening in Texas, says Michael Thomas. He’s the founder of Cleanview.co, a site that tracks an expansive constellation of new and planned battery farms that harvest power when electricity is abundant and feeds that juice back into the Texas grid when supply is short. He joined the Jasons from his Colorado base to explain how batteries are making Texas electricity more reliable and cheaper…and why much more of it w...

00:00 Sarah Eckhardt’s Path to Texas Comptroller
00:28 Tarrant County Legislative Race: Arman Mazani vs Kate Brennan
00:56 May Runoff Election Explained + Key Voting Rules
01:52 Sarah Eckhardt Interview: Why She Wants to Be Comptroller
02:57 Managing School Vouchers & Public School Concerns
03:34 Debate Over State Audits and Government Oversight
04:40 Can Democrats Flip the Texas Comptroller’s Office?
07:37 School Voucher Applications & Who Benefits
09:40 Arman Mazani on Winning the Republican Primary
11:11 Religion, Values, and Representing Diverse Voters
13:19 Kate Brennan’s Strategy to Win a Deep Red District
16:55 Cornyn vs Paxton Runoff & The Battle for Republ...

00:00 – Inside Texas’ Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP)
01:05 – How PEP Is Changing Lives Behind Bars
02:20 – Meet Michael Etcheson: From Prison to Leadership
03:45 – Why Texas Supports This Unusual Prison Program
05:10 – Sharing Life Dreams in a “Tough on Crime” State
06:40 – What Makes the Prison Entrepreneurship Program Elite
08:05 – Business Skills and Leadership Training in Prison
09:30 – 100% Job Placement After Release: How It Works
10:55 – Why PEP Graduates Are Less Likely to Reoffend
12:20 – The Support System Waiting After Prison
13:40 – Bipartisan Support and Interest From Other States
15:00 – The Future Expansion of PEP Across Texas

00:00 Show Preview: Dallas City Hall Fight, TX-33 Runoff, Corpus Christi Water Crisis
01:01 Show Open – Inside Texas Politics
01:06 Headlines: Corpus Christi Water Shortage & Possible State Takeover
01:30 Wise County Pushes Back on Texas Data Centers
01:56 Republicans Target Democrat James Talarico
02:21 TX-33 Democratic Runoff: Colin Allred vs Julie Johnson
02:49 Colin Allred on Criticism of Political Opportunism
05:37 Allred on Senate Race, Service, and James Talarico
06:36 Julie Johnson on Trailing Allred in the Primary
07:50 Johnson on Key Differences Between Her and Allred
09:15 Debate Over DHS Funding and ICE Policy
10:22 Roundtable: Could the TX-33 Ru...

00:00 – Cold Open: “Je ne sais quoi” debate
00:31 – Texas Primary Election: Biggest Surprises
01:27 – Chris Turner’s Upset Loss Explained
02:16 – Who Is Junior Ezeonu? The 26-Year-Old Rising Star
03:39 – A New Generation in Texas Politics
05:13 – Junior Ezeonu Interview: Why He Challenged Chris Turner
07:08 – How Canvassing Won the Race
10:04 – Policy Priorities: Schools, Housing & Small Business
11:03 – Is 26 Too Young for the Legislature?
17:47 – Chris Turner Reacts to the Election Results

0:00 Preview: Texas Primary Surprises & Political Shakeups
0:30 Texas Political Headlines: Gonzalez Resigns, Agriculture Controversy
2:14 Don Huffines Wins GOP Comptroller Primary
3:36 Huffines on Auditing Government Waste in Texas
6:40 Roundtable: Why Polls Missed Key Texas Primary Races
9:38 Junior Ezeonu Upsets Veteran Democrat Chris Turner
11:46 Campaign Strategy: How Door Knocking Beat Big Money
14:45 Latino Voters and What the Texas Primary Revealed
18:03 Roundtable: What the Results Mean for November

Voters turned away. Poll hours extended by a judge. An order from the Texas Supreme Court overruling that judge. A hearing that will determine which votes will be counted. And that’s just Dallas County. It’s been a wild primary election all across Texas, from surprising wins to unexpected runoffs. In this primary hangover edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons cut through the confusion with our panel of experts. GUESTS Vinny Minchillo, Republican Consultant/Glass House Strategy Domingo Garcia, Democratic Strategist/Former LULAC President

In the March 1 episode, Y’all-itics joins forces with Inside Texas Politics and we cut through the primary noise with two political insiders who discuss what they’re really seeing in the marquee races and what you need to know if you haven’t already voted early. Dallas Council Member Chad West updates the city’s effort to keep the NHL team in Dallas. And our roundtable on what to make of the early voting turnout.

00:00 Y'all-itics at Community Beer Co. 
01:52 What Is a Texas “State Takeover”?
03:32 The 5-Year Failing Rule Explained
04:29 Outsourcing Failing Schools to Avoid TEA Control
05:26 $375,000 Per Month Per School
06:24 Who Is Third Future Schools?
07:32 The Mike Miles Connection
08:47 What Changes Inside These Schools?
10:11 Silent Hallways & Strict Discipline Model
11:36 Answer Math to Get Lunch?
13:01 Is This Privatization of Public Schools?
15:17 Where the Money Comes From (SB 1882 Funds)
20:19 Do Test Scores Actually Improve?
21:46 What Happens When the Contract Ends?
36:53 Big Picture: Sustainability, Vouchers & What’s Next
41:18 Closing Thoughts

00:00 Show Open & Headlines Preview
01:06 Record Spending in Texas U.S. Senate Race
01:35 School Vouchers Hit 100,000+ Applications
02:04 Early Voting Deadline & What Voters Need to Know
02:22 Jake Ellzey on SAVE Act & Proof of Citizenship
03:52 Debate Over Evidence of Non-Citizen Voting
04:33 Ellzey on Iran, Cuba, Russia & “Regime Change”
06:41 Roundtable: SAVE Act Political Impact
09:21 Wesley Hunt on Senate Race Strategy
10:48 Hunt on Missed House Votes
13:05 Hunt Reacts to Trump Post About the Obamas
14:10 Aicha Davis on ICE Detention Center in Dallas County
16:47 Davis on School Vouchers & Democratic Strategy
17:43 Roundtable: Supreme Cour...

This one is simple: listen or watch to learn everything about the most competitive races in Texas from two veteran insiders. Primary day is Tuesday, March 3. Early voting in Texas runs February 17 – 27. Listen to, or watch, Y’all-itics and then go vote!

0:00 Primaries Shake Up – New Texas Polling
1:02 University of Houston Poll Breakdown
1:57 Sid Miller, Don Huffines & GOP Races
2:24 El Paso Airport Shutdown Explained
3:00 Tony Gonzales on FAA & Military Coordination
4:21 Should Airports Have Laser Drone Defense?
5:32 DHS Funding Standoff & Partial Shutdown
6:28 Roundtable on FAA Failures & Politics
9:23 Plano’s DART Withdrawal Vote
10:12 Mayor John Muns on Rescinding the Exit
13:47 GOP Anti-Islam Messaging Debate
14:51 Salman Bhojani on Sharia Law Claims
16:45 Reaction from Texas Muslim Community
17:20 Y’all-itics Voter Guide Preview
17:50 Roundtable: Abbott Endorsements Tested
18:56 Can Abbott’s Influence Deliver...

In the February 8 episode, Senator-Elect Taylor Rehmet discusses whether he thinks other Texas Democrats can duplicate his success in a special election and how his Republican family reacted to his shocking upset. Dallas County DA John Creuzot tells us if he’s prepared to prosecute federal agents if he thinks they broke the law. And state Rep. Gene Wu on why Democrats can’t get overconfident following the party’s SD 9 win and whether he wants to lead House Democrats anymore.

00:00 – Why SD-9 Shocked Texas Politics

1:49 - Interview Guest: Ross Hunt, Hunt Research 
03:45 – The Independent Voter Breakaway
07:10 – Candidate Quality vs. Turnout
10:20 – Why Democrats Shouldn’t Celebrate Turnout
13:05 – GOP Warning Signs for November
16:40 – How Redistricting Comes Back to Bite
19:55 – Suburban Shifts in Tarrant County
23:30 – What Republicans Misread About SD-9

25:35 - One on One with State Senator-Elect Taylor Rehmet 
27:05 – Could Democrats Replicate This Statewide?
31:50 – Looking Ahead to November & Key Battlegrounds