Second Reading Podcast

In this episode, Jim Henson and Josh Blank discuss the upcoming redistricting process in the Texas Legislature, from demographics to the very personal politics about to get underway when the legislature reconvenes in another special session. This Episode of Second Reading was mixed and mastered by Alejandra Arrazola.

This week, Jim and Josh dive into the just-released UT/Texas Politics Project poll to talk about the relationship between public opinion and the 87th Texas Legislature, and how party polarization is shaping politics in the legislature and the Texas political system. This week’s episode of Second Reading Podcast was mixed and mastered by Ean Herrera.

This week, Jim Henson and Joshua Blank look at Texans’ dour view of conditions in the state as captured in the just-released UT/Texas Politics Project Poll, conducted August 20-30 in Texas. This Episode of Second Reading Podcast was mixed and mastered by Ean Herrera

This week, a look at the dynamics of the Texas legislature as the gears begin to grind again after the return of the quorum-busing House Democrats, with some consideration of poll data on ideological polarization among Texas partisans. This episode of Second Reading was mixed and mastered by Harris Codini.

Jim and Josh discuss the clashing of state and local pandemic policies, as well as the future of Texas Democrats not showing up to quorum in the conflict-ridden state. This episode of Second Reading was mixed and mastered by Clayton Faries and Ean Herrera.

This week, Jim and Josh discuss the continuing partisan gap on COVID-19 policies and vaccinations in Texas, in light of the Delta variant and policy actions by the state. This episode of Second Reading was mixed and mastered by Clayton Faries and Sofia Salter.

This week, Jim talks with Washington, D.C. based political journalist Jonathan Tilove about his reporting on Texas House Democrats’ strategy in the final weeks of their quorum breaking trip to Washington. This episode of Second Reading was mixed and mastered by Clayton Faries, Harris Codini, and Ean Herrera.

In this episode, Jim and Texas Tribune executive editor Ross Ramsey discuss the Texas House Democrats’ plan to flee the state in order to garner national attention towards voting rights, as well as prevent the passing of any Republican-led legislation. This episode of Second Reading was mixed and mastered by Alejandra Arrazola.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss the results of a recent Texas Tribune poll regarding current political opinions in Texas, and the upcoming Trump event taking place at the US/Mexico border.

In this episode, Jim Henson talks with Texas State Representative Travis Clardy about Governor Greg Abbott’s line item veto on the Texas Legislature, as well as the incoming special session of the legislature.

In this episode, Jim Henson talks with State Representative Chris Turner about the defeat of Senate Bill 7 during the most recent legislative session, Texas Democrats’ impending visit to Washington, D.C., and prospects for a resumed fight over voting during the likely special session.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss whether Texas voters “got what they wanted” in regards to legislation passed during the most recent Texas Legislative Session.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss controversies related to the most recent session of the Texas House of Representatives.

Jim and James Barragán, from the Texas Tribune, discuss Texas elections, politics and gun control.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss the context of former Texas Senator Don Huffines’ primary challenge to Governor Greg Abbott, and the institutional politics of the Texas House of Representatives’ bill proposing changes to state government’s emergency powers during pandemics.

Jim and Josh discuss the results of the April 2021 UT Texas Tribune Poll and what they reveal about the public opinion context of prominent issues being discussed in the Texas Legislature.

In this special episode, Jim and Josh discuss the results of a year’s worth of Texas polling on the COVID-19 pandemic, including views of vaccines, and how folks feel about vaccine passports.

Jim and Josh discuss the ‘Constitutional Carry’ Bill that has been recently been proposed in the Texas House.

Jim and Josh discuss the corporate pushback on voting rights bills currently moving through the Texas Legislature.

Jim and Josh discuss the results from a poll conducted in collaboration with the UT Energy Institute focused on Texans’ experiences during the recent winter storm and the policies being discussed in response.

Jim and Josh discuss the accumulating legislation in the 87th Texas Legislature up for a vote this week, with a focus on TX SB 7, which would impose stricter requirements on mail-in voting in an attempt to curb potential election fraud.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss the Texas Legislature’s political response to last month’s storm-related power outages and the financial issues that have arisen from that.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss the reemergence of immigration and border security in Texas politics in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, Jim and Josh discuss Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s lift of mask and capacity mandates in Texas, and ERCOT’s handling of the recent winter weather disaster.

Today Jim and Josh discuss Governor Greg Abbott’s State of the State address.