Houston Chronicle

Texas Take

News EN ↓ 254 episodes

Go behind the headlines for a look at what's really going on at the Texas Capitol and in Washington with the state's #1 political podcast: Texas Take. Join the conversation featuring Houston Chronicle/San Antonio Express-News political writer Jeremy Wallace.

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Houston Chronicle

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News

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Ready Or Not, Here They Come 11.01.2025

The race for Texas House Speaker is about to come to a head on Tuesday and we're nowhere near a resolution. We'll break it all down for you. Plus, a full preview of what's on the agenda for the full legislative session including teacher pay raises, school vouchers, casinos and sports betting, border security, and more. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Hou...

Let's Make a Deal 03.01.2025

Jeremy is off this week. So in the meantime, enjoy the conversation I had with Austin radio legend Jeff Ward, who was curious about whether sports betting and casino gambling might be legalized this year. Well, here's an idea: What if those were both approved on the condition that the tax revenue would fund a school voucher program? It would certainly please some of the wealthiest people putting m...

'Tis the Season...for Screaming 21.12.2024

It's a tradition: Congress is in meltdown mode over budget issues during the holiday season. But this time, President-elect Trump is clashing with some Texas conservatives who don't agree with his plans for big spending in the coming year. Plus, the Texas House speaker race has cooled down to a simmer. And a big thanks to y'all for sticking with us throughout what's been a shitshow of a year. Join...

A Speaker Showdown or a Setup? 12.12.2024

There was a frantic push to elect a speaker of the Texas House over the last few days, but the race is far from over. We've got all the tea, as the kids say. Plus, we've reached a new milestone for how many women are serving in the Texas Legislature. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Learn more about your...

Trump Says he Loves Texas. But the Proof is In the Puddin' 06.12.2024

President-elect Trump has talked at length about how much he loves Texans. If that's the case, even some Republicans are starting to wonder why he's not appointing almost any Texans to his incoming administration. Plus: Little Gov. Dan Patrick declares all out war on the sale of anything containing THC. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle p...

When Trump Says Jump, Texas Republicans Say "How High?" 14.11.2024

As President-Elect Trump prepares for his next term in office, most Texas Republicans seem ready to just do whatever he says. But, maybe not all of them. We'll dig into that. Plus: Little Gov. Dan Patrick loves to do a little sidestep lately when the issue of casino gambling is raised. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Je...

On to the Next Chapter 07.11.2024

"The Empire Strikes Back" comes to mind as Republicans asserted their dominance across Texas in Tuesday's election. But even with a 10-point swing toward the GOP statewide, only one incumbent Democrat lost a seat in the Texas Legislature. We'll get into that plus what the election results mean for abortion rights and the fight over school vouchers. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor...

Texas Celebrities Makin' the Closing Arguments in 2024 31.10.2024

It's hard to overstate the role that famous people from Texas are playing in this election. Beyoncé, Dr. Phil, Tony Hinchcliffe, Joe Rogan, Mark Cuban, and others are lining up on opposite sides of the political aisle. And you're not wrong if the first thing that came to mind was "hey, some of those people are not even from Texas!" But, welcome to the reality of living in a fast-growing state wher...

Joe Rogan vs Beyoncé 25.10.2024

The race for the White House comes to Texas this weekend with Vice President Harris, Beyoncé, and Rep. Colin Allred rallying in Houston while former President Trump, Joe Rogan, and Sen. Ted Cruz appear in Austin. Plus: The case of death row inmate Robert Roberson brings stars to the Texas Capitol and a rebuke from Gov. Abbott, who saw his authority threatened by lawmakers who have questions about...

Texas Republicans Help Halt an Execution. Wait, What? 18.10.2024

There's never been anything like it in Texas politics: A bipartisan group of lawmakers went to extraordinary lengths as they raced to stop an execution in its tracks because there are serious questions about the case against death row inmate Robert Roberson. Plus, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Colin Allred faced off in their only debate of the campaign with just days to go before Texans will begin castin...

Well, That's the Ballgame. Or Is It? 04.10.2024

After the Houston Astros were eliminated in the playoffs, the Colin Allred campaign is blasting Sen. Ted Cruz for the alleged "Cruz curse." Hey, in a close election, anything that outrages enough people in Houston and San Antonio could help close the gap. Plus, we've got the latest on the race to lead the Texas House in 2025. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report,...

Wait, Ted Cruz Could Lose? Maybe. 27.09.2024

This week we're featuring a conversation Scott had with Austin radio legend Jeff Ward, who wanted to know if Sen. Cruz could actually lose to Rep. Colin Allred. We'll be back with our regular conversion including Jeremy Wallace next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, Look at That: It's the Consequences of our Actions 21.09.2024

School districts across Texas have been left to twist in the wind after billions in funding was withheld because of Gov. Greg Abbott's failed attempt at passing a school voucher program. Let's talk about the real world consequences of that, shall we? And the politics of it, too. Plus for you real junkies we'll get into this week's speaker race drama. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, edit...

They're Eating What? Oh, Come On 14.09.2024

The first and probably only presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is in the rearview mirror and quite a few issues emanating from Texas were front and center: Immigration, abortion, oil and gas production, and more. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn is making his pitch to lead Senate Republicans. And an obvious attempt to suppress the votes of college students in North Texas fails after...

Ready, Set, Run! 06.09.2024

There's finally a debate breaking out in the US Senate race in Texas featuring Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Colin Allred arguing over who's the bigger champion for the business community and jobs in this state. Jeremy spoke with both candidates. Plus, a Texas Democrat leaves the party for the GOP. It would be a bold move if it didn't seem like nothing but sour grapes after Democratic voters showed her t...

This Ain't Texas 25.08.2024

But, it sure seems like it's about Texas. Abortion, gun violence, and immigration: Texans and Texas issues were front and center for much of the DNC in Chicago this week. We break it all down for you in this special edition of the show. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Special Edition: Wargaming 2024 in Texas 19.08.2024

President Biden is out and Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic presidential nomination. What does a Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris race look like this fall? Does this change anything in Texas? And what does this mean for other key 2024 races including Rep. Colin Allred challenging Sen. Ted Cruz? Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing joined Jeremy Wallace and Scott Braddock for...

Back to School and Back to War 16.08.2024

Many parents and teachers around Texas were angry this week as kids returned to school at the very same time that the future of education in this state was once again up for debate at the Capitol in Austin. Plus, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner won the "insiders race" to succeed Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Congress. Jeremy was in the room for that and has a full report. And there was a meltdo...

A Race About Race? 02.08.2024

For the second week in a row, national Democrats have made Texas the setting for the race for the White House. In Houston, VP Harris fired back at former President Trump after he said she "happened to turn Black" and in Austin President Biden proposed sweeping changes to the Supreme Court. We've sort of got an update on the race for Texas House speaker. Plus, why does Dan Patrick have a new nickna...

Democrats in Array 26.07.2024

A reset race for the White House begins in Texas: During her first week as the newly-minted presumptive Democratic standard-bearer, Vice President Kamala Harris hit the ground running in Houston to check on the city in the aftermath of a hurricane and to pump up teachers gathered in H-Town. Jeremy was there and has a full report. Plus, Little Gov. Dan Patrick has some thoughts on "the man behind t...

So, About That Whole Unity Thing... 21.07.2024

This week, Jeremy reports from the RNC in Milwaukee where Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz played their part in the "Unity" convention of Donald Trump, which ended up being more divisive than perhaps any convention in recent American history. Plus, the remembrances were flowing in overnight after Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee passed away Friday night. Join the conversation with Scott...

Abandonment 12.07.2024

As much as President Biden is struggling politically in the weeks after his disastrous debate performance, he was still able to get the best of one Republican: Gov. Greg Abbott, who abandoned Texas in the leadup to a hurricane causing a slower response than usual after Beryl knocked out power to millions amid a heatwave. Plus, Attorney General Ken Paxton claims he's about to be impeached again. Wh...

The Freakout is Real 06.07.2024

More than a week after a disastrous debate performance, the White House and the campaign of President Joe Biden have not been able to calm the fears of Democrats who now believe he is not up to the challenge of campaigning against former President Donald Trump. As a public service, Jeremy reviews what other potential Democratic nominees have said about Texas and what they've said in Texas. Plus, G...

A Full Meltdown 28.06.2024

Democrats in Texas and around the nation are having a collective freakout after the debate performance of President Joe Biden against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta. Plus, Republicans are pointing to the murder of a Houston 12 year old to advance their case for more border security. But, didn't they just turn down a border security crackdown earlier this year? Join the conversation with...

The Texas Take Meets Texas Talk 21.06.2024

This week, something a little different: Scott was in San Antonio to appear on our friend Gilbert Garcia's PBS show on KLRN Television in partnership with the San Antonio Express-News. Scott and Gilbert talked about the US Senate race in Texas, abortion politics, and one thing that has fundamentally changed about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during the course of his political career. Our usual show will r...

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