Y'all-itics

Life is not easy for female small business owners and women in the food service industry… unless you happen to work at the intersection of food and public policy near the Dallas Zoo. Kuluntu Bakery is a female-centered nonprofit that’s trying to empower women by changing the rules of engagement in the workforce from closing the wage gap to providing childcare stipends to building safer kitchens. And in this episode of Y’all-itics, Kuluntu’s owner tells us what Texas lawmakers can do during the next legislative session to make life easier for many working women. GUESTS Stephanie Leichtle-Chalklen, Kuluntu...

In the July 26 episode, Republican Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne explains why she calls a vote to end the Iran War a “messaging bill” and why she supports providing $73 billion more in funding to help continue the conflict. Dallas Council Member Paula Blackmon reveals how much revenue the naming rights for the new convention center might provide Dallas and why she’s not ready to get rid of the current namesake. And Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis tells us exactly how large the county deficit is and why it will lead to some dramatic cost cutting measures.

In the July 19 episode, GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner Bo French explains why he’s busy discussing issues that seemingly have nothing to do with the agency and the regulations he’d rip up. Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa tells us why he announced a run for Dallas Mayor so early, 15 months ahead of that election. And Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo on why she thinks the city’s water crisis will cost some council members their jobs in November.

They both have experience in the oil and gas industry… but that’s where the similarities stop. The messaging and the tone of the campaigns couldn’t be more different. And both candidates will tell you that voters face a binary choice in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, leading the state’s oldest regulatory agency that oversees the energy industry in Texas, from oil and gas, to coal, to pipelines. In this episode of Y’all-itics, hear from both Republican Bo French and Democrat Jon Rosenthal in their own words.

In the July 12 episode, San Marcos Council Member Amanda Rodriguez tells us city residents of all political stripes demanded action and explains why the city thinks it has the authority to pass Texas’ first data center ban. And Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses why he’s asking for an immediate special session to address data center regulation, and why he’s calling out the Governor in the process.

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, and a bunch of Texans who’ve never even engaged with politics before. You won’t find a bigger issue in the state right now. And in this episode of Y’all-itics, you’ll learn more about that first ba...

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 development danger. GUEST Christina Day, City of Plano Director of Planning

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 that the Bible will be required reading in public schools, the government is taking control of classrooms.

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 regain the trust of Texans. GUEST: State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston

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 all. In this episode of Y’all-itics all three candidate make their pitches to the Jasons… and Texas voters. GUESTS Dan Patrick, R – Nominee for Lieutenant Governor Vikki Goodwin, D - Nominee for Lieute...

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