Texas Take

The controversy over DEI erupted at the Texas Capitol this week as Republicans moved to ban tax dollars from being spent on such programs. Plus, the state is moving to take over the Houston school district and local leaders are outraged. 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...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a swing through Texas this weekend in Houston and Dallas, arguing that his state and this one are where "woke goes to die." Don't roll your eyes too hard. Plus, Gov. Abbott is really pushing his school voucher proposal now but he seems to be missing the mark with the folks he actually needs to convince. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum...

Now that the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker have shared some of their priorities, the legislative session is finally starting to take shape. But the speaker is the one playing his cards closest to the vest. Plus, Gov. Abbott rails against transgender athletes in collegiate sports and Sen. Cruz keeps his options open when it comes to running for president. Join the conversation with Sco...

Just as Gov. Greg Abbott gave his State of the State Address stressing "school choice," one of his top education officials admitted in a recorded phone call that a school voucher program would mean there would be fewer teachers in Texas public schools. Plus, Texas Republicans are now taking aim at GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton's proposed settlement with former employees who accused him of corrup...

Now that the pomp and circumstance of the Texas Inauguration is concluded, lawmakers will get down to business on everything from keeping kids safe in schools to banning Chinese investment in Texas. Yes, seriously. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?off...

From proposals to eliminate Democratic chairs in Austin to smoking cigars in Washington, some Texas politicians cranked up the faux outrage machine to new levels this week. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See...

2023 kicked off on Capitol Hill with Texans playing key roles in the epic throwdown over US House leadership. Plus, the Texas Legislature is about to convene in Austin. What will the biggest fights be about? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=12...

Lawmakers in DC took one last shot at immigration reform this year but the deal is falling apart. Plus, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan throws shade at former President Trump. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast S...

As the good news broke this week that Houstonian Brittney Griner was released from a Russian prison, some folks couldn't help but criticize her for some past statements and question why the Biden Administration hasn't secured the release of other American prisoners held overseas. Plus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lays out his priorities for the legislative session, but it's all pretty vague. Join the con...

From casinos to online sports betting, gambling interests are getting ready for perhaps their biggest push yet to change laws to allow Texans to place wagers in their home state. Plus, the debate over whether there should be Democratic Chairmen in the Texas Legislature is really about the next GOP primary election. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston...

After one of the most brutal campaigns in recent memory, Gov. Greg Abbott and statewide Republicans ran the board in Texas while no "red wave" for the GOP materialized nationally. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podca...

The early voting numbers do not bode well for Democrats as candidates across Texas make their final push toward election day. Plus, 911 audio from calls of children in Uvalde has surfaced. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&...

Candidates are making their final pitches to voters as Texans head to the polls in one of the most contentious elections the state has ever seen. Plus, families from Uvalde confront the head of the state police, demanding that he resign. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.ho...

Early voting in person starts Monday across Texas and the candidates up and down the ballot are working hard to get their voters to the polls. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke were neck and neck in fundraising this time around as they head into the homestretch of this election and we now have a $200 million governor's race. Plus, musicians are getting involved in this campaign season in creative and perhaps more aggressive ways than in the past. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronic...

The statewide combatants for Governor of Texas are now blistering each other in television ads about the economy, guns, and more. What's really resonating with voters? Plus: Do Democrats really have a shot at winning the race for Texas Attorney General? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: h...

This week: A special episode focusing on the one and only scheduled debate between Beto O'Rourke and Greg Abbott. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn mor...

Year after year, Texas Republicans have promised to "fix" property taxes. But with those tax bills rising, Democrats are calling them out for it as suburban homeowners seem increasingly up for grabs in the November election. Plus: Democrats are on defense about immigration and the economy. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political write...

We're back. Gov. Greg Abbott has the attention of national Democrats now with his migrant busing stunt. Plus, he achieved something that's become pretty uncommon: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis followed Abbott's lead instead of the other way around. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://of...

Parents of victims of the Uvalde massacre traveled to Austin this week to demand that Gov. Abbott take action on new gun laws. But Abbott says raising the legal age for certain firearms purchases would be unconstitutional. Plus Sen. Ted Cruz slams young people as "slacker" baristas who need to put down "the bong." But it sounds like he's actually nervous that those young people will get out to vot...

Across Texas, most GOP statewide candidates including Gov. Abbott seem to have gone quiet on the issue of abortion while Democrats have launched an all out air war against Republicans for pushing abortion restrictions with no exceptions. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://offers.h...

From abortion rights to gun violence, women in Texas who might otherwise vote for Republicans are angry about a host of issues and saying they cannot support Greg Abbott this fall. Of course, it's anecdotal so there's no way to know just yet how much political danger this creates for the Texas GOP. Plus: Rep. Dan Crenshaw says it's time to unfollow the trolls online. Join the conversation with Sco...

Uvalde tops the show once again after Beto O'Rourke dropped the f-bomb responding to a heckler who laughed as the Democrat was talking about the massacre of children at an elementary school. Plus, some Texas Republicans have been slow to defend President Trump after his home was raided by the FBI. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle politic...

It's August and Republicans and Democrats are talking past each other on too many issues to count: Abortion, the electricity grid, immigration, and more. Plus: Why did Ted Cruz and Jon Stewart spend part of the week at each other's throats? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  Support the show: https://offer...

Leaders in Uvalde are getting the brush off from Gov. Greg Abbott as they call for changes to gun laws in this state. Plus, the push for school vouchers heats up in Austin and national Democrats just cannot get it right in the way they're trying to convince Texas Latinos to choose them. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer J...