Y'all-itics

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says Democrats are right on the issue and is blasting Governor Greg Abbott for not calling an immediate special session to address data center regulation. Meantime in the first Texas city to ban data centers, San Marcos Council Member Amanda Rodriguez says it was the people who forced the ban and those folks were Republicans, Democrats, Independents,...

A new state law will make it easier for developers to bring multi-family housing to a neighborhood near you. While the goal is affordability, some city leaders are warning about unintended consequences, such as unchecked growth that overwhelms local infrastructure. We headed to the Dallas suburb of Plano for this episode of Y’all-itics, where the Jasons learned flushing toilets could be a sign of...

In the July 5 episode, newly elected Republican Party of Texas chair D’rinda Randall tells us why the GOP is holding a midterm convention in Dallas and why they think it’s important. Meantime, newly re-elected Texas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder explains why he thinks the midterm convention is a sign the GOP fears the midterms. And State Board of Education member Tiffany Clark says now th...

Camp Mystic filed for bankruptcy just before this week’s tragic anniversary of the lives lost at the storied summer camp. Now, one year after the deadly flash floods, what safety improvements were made and what remains to be done. State Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, led on some of reforms. He joined the Jasons to discuss the state response to the tragedy and whether Camp Mystic can ever reg...

In the June 28 episode, Rep. Gene Wu talks a newly launched effort by house Democrats to build cross-state legislative coalitions across the American South to counter Republican legislation. Rep. John Rosenthal lays out his qualifications for the railroad commission, and Senator Bettencourt looks back at the legislative aftermath of the devastating Hill Country flash floods.

Two candidates, and possibly a third, are running for Lieutenant Governor. Texans are very familiar with incumbent Republican Dan Patrick. Democratic nominee Vikki Goodwin, a state Representative, is looking to build up her profile with voters outside of the Austin area. And then there’s Mike Collier, who’s trying to run as an independent, but a court will have to decide if he makes the ballot at...

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...

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 des...

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...

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...

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 prev...

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...

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 3...

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...

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 a...

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 c...

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 t...

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 o...

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 en...

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 Me...

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...

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 Kenda...

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...

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,...