Y'all-itics

WFAA

About

Y’all-itics is the unofficial political podcast of Texas. Each week we’ll crack open an ice-cold Texas brew and explore a single hot topic affecting Texans. But this isn’t politics as usual. Y’all-itics doesn’t come from a fancy studio. We’re taking our podcast on the road to get past the soundbites and dive deeper into the issues that matter to y’all. Leave your labels at the door, this is a political podcast for all Texans… even the recent transplants!

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398 episodes

Finally, Texas has Taxation WITH Representation

It’s almost time for the dreaded property tax appraisals in Texas. For the first time, Texans will get a real say in the process. The board overseeing central appraisal districts have always been appointed. A new state law requires at least three members to be elected. Chandler Crouch, a real estate broker and expert in protesting property taxes, says the new law is a game changer. He joined the Jasons at Turning Point Beer in Bedford, Texas for this episode.   GUEST: Chandler Crouch   RECORDING LOCATION: Turning Point Beer Bedford, Texas

47m
Mar 31
SPECIAL RELEASE: ‘Prison was never a possibility.’ Why the special prosecutor settled criminal charges with Ken Paxton.

Ever since settling the criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton, special prosecutor Brian Wice told us he has been excoriated by people who think it was a bad move. So why did he do it? And why won’t specifics of the deal be made public? We had lots of questions after this bombshell news broke. Wice made the decision and he took our call from his Houston office in this special episode of Y’all-itics. GUEST: Brian Wice / Special Prosecutor in Paxton case

15m
Mar 27
Save the machines! Hand-counting ballots did not work

Turns out, Republicans made errors hand-counting votes. The GOP in Gillespie County (Fredericksburg) did not trust machines to count the votes on Super Tuesday. So, they did it themselves. By hand. 8,000 ballots. And they made mistakes in every precinct. Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of Votebeat, was there on election night and joined the Jasons for a pint on this episode to explain what happened and the bold new project her newsroom is undertaking in Gillespie County. https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/inside-politics/texas-politics/gillespie-county-gop-primary-officials-found-multiple-errors-after-hand-count/287-9cfe3150-cf66-4d4f-ba66-ad1fc6f9feeb Guest Jessica Huseman, Votebeat Editorial Director

27m
Mar 24
Texas isn’t an oil and gas state. It’s an energy state.

There have been several times recently when 60% - 70% of all the power consumed in Texas came from renewables. And in January, the state set a new solar production record, topping out at over 14,000 megawatts, more than enough to power San Antonio and Austin. Life is so good for renewables in Texas, a new study funded by the oil and gas industry found that they should likely connect to the grid to get cheaper power… thanks to the influence of renewables. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons pop open a cold one with energy expert Doug Lewin who explains why Texas should no longer be considered an oil and gas state, just an energy state. Guest Doug Lewin, Stoic Energy Founder

38m
Mar 17
Texas Election hangover edition

How do you beat a Republican in Texas? Move further to the right. And in many ways, that’s exactly what happened in Texas during the primary. But one of the biggest surprises of the night happened on the Democratic ballot. In this election hangover edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons and our panel experts discuss the results of the GOP civil war, the fallout from the results and what it all means for the future of Texas. Guests Berna Dean Steptoe, WFAA Political Producer Michael McCardel, WFAA Political Coordinating Producer

40m
Mar 06
A woman will likely lead Mexico this summer. Will she impact border politics?

Mexicans elect a new president this summer and two women are competing for the top job. How might they impact our politics, our shared border, and the hundreds of billions of dollars in trade that move across it? Laura Collins, an immigration expert at the Bush Institute and Jennifer Apperti, a former Mexican diplomat who now leads SMU’s Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center join the Jasons to explain how immigration impacts politics on the other side of the border. Guests Jennifer Apperti, Director/SMU Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center Laura Collins, Director/Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative

45m
Mar 03
What else is flooding over the Texas-Mexico border

The border politics dominating conversations have long overshadowed the importance of all the other stuff flooding over the border from Mexico. And the bickering, bloviation and incessant battling is negatively impacting the Texas economy and our wallets, a loss of more than a billion dollars in output and thousands of jobs. Dr. Ray Perryman is the brains behind this new report, which is a political hot potato. But Dr. Perryman tells the Jasons why he thinks it’s a good thing he’s called an “equal opportunity offender” and why it’s vital Texans – and politicians – hear this information.   Texas-Mexico trade report: https://www.perrymangroup.com/media/uploads/brief/perryman-the-economic-benefits-of-texasmexico-trade-02-15-24.pdf   Guest   Dr. Ray Perryman, CEO/The Perryman Group

30m
Feb 25
What else is flooding over the Texas-Mexico border

The border politics dominating conversations have long overshadowed the importance of all the other stuff flooding over the border from Mexico. And the bickering, bloviation and incessant battling is negatively impacting the Texas economy and our wallets, a loss of more than a billion dollars in output and thousands of jobs. Dr. Ray Perryman is the brains behind this new report, which is a political hot potato. But Dr. Perryman tells the Jasons why he thinks it’s a good thing he’s called an “equal opportunity offender” and why it’s vital Texans – and politicians – hear this information.   https://www.perrymangroup.com/media/uploads/brief/perryman-the-economic-benefits-of-texasmexico-trade-02-15-24.pdf     Dr. Ray Perryman, CEO/The Perryman Group

29m
Feb 25
Election 2024: Is Texas breaking its own law?

It is an election system designed to find cases of illegal voting, keep voter rolls accurate, and make elections cheaper and more efficient. But Texas, and eight other Republican-led states, abandoned the program without any plan to replace it. That is bad news for Texas voters and the bill comes due on Super Tuesday, March 5. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons crack open a cold one at Celestial Beerworks with Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization that reports on elections across the country. Jessica explains why Texas’ decision to leave the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, couldn’t have come at a worse time and how Texas voters could feel this impact when they go vote.   Guest Jessica Huseman, Votebeat Editorial Director

46m
Feb 20
Election 2024: Is Texas breaking its own law?

It is an election system designed to find cases of illegal voting, keep voter rolls accurate, and make elections cheaper and more efficient. But Texas, and eight other Republican-led states, abandoned the program without any plan to replace it. That is bad news for Texas voters and the bill comes due on Super Tuesday, March 5. In this episode of , the Jasons crack open a cold one at Celestial Beerworks with Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization that reports on elections across the country. Jessica explains why Texas’ decision to leave the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, couldn’t have come at a worse time and how Texas voters could feel this impact when they go vote.   Jessica Huseman, Votebeat Editorial Director  

45m
Feb 20
Nikki Haley in Texas. Unedited.

She’s the only major Republican presidential candidate left standing not named Donald Trump. And former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley hit Texas recently to raise cash and build momentum leading up to Super Tuesday on March 5. But everything’s bigger in Texas, including Trump’s lead. In this early release episode of Y’all-itics, candidate Haley explains her views on everything from Texas’ abortion law to whether we should be taking guns away.   Guest Nikki Haley, Republican Candidate for President

15m
Feb 16
Nikki Haley in Texas. Unedited.

She’s the only major Republican presidential candidate left standing not named Donald Trump. And former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley hit Texas recently to raise cash and build momentum leading up to Super Tuesday on March 5. But everything’s bigger in Texas, including Trump’s lead. In this early release episode of , candidate Haley explains her views on everything from Texas’ abortion law to whether we should be taking guns away.   Nikki Haley, Republican Candidate for President

14m
Feb 16
The political theater of Eagle Pass, TX

Many residents of Eagle Pass, Texas, say they’ve had enough. But they’re angry with the Texas Governor, not the migrants crossing the border. They just sent him a letter, accusing his rhetoric of putting the community in danger now that armed militias are actively showing up after hearing the Governor’s words. In this episode of Y’all-itics, a local business owner who’s already sued the state tells the Jasons what life is truly like now on the ground in Eagle Pass. And you’ll learn why Congressman Michael McCaul calls the failed Republican-led effort to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary, who oversees federal border policy, an embarrassment.   Guests  Jessie Fuentes, Eagle Pass Business Owner Congressman Michael McCaul, (R) Austin

42m
Feb 11
The political theater of Eagle Pass, TX

Many residents of Eagle Pass, Texas, say they’ve had enough. But they’re angry with the Texas Governor, not the migrants crossing the border. They just sent him a letter, accusing his rhetoric of putting the community in danger now that armed militias are actively showing up after hearing the Governor’s words. In this episode of , a local business owner who’s already sued the state tells the Jasons what life is truly like now on the ground in Eagle Pass. And you’ll learn why Congressman Michael McCaul calls the failed Republican-led effort to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary, who oversees federal border policy, an embarrassment.    Jessie Fuentes, Eagle Pass Business Owner Congressman Michael McCaul, (R) Austin

41m
Feb 11
Is Ken Paxton a Flight Risk? GOP lawmaker goes unplugged.

Our guest this week decided to go public with what so many Republican lawmakers have said in private. State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, does not have a primary opponent and is free to speak openly and boy does he in this episode with the Jasons. Patterson goes unplugged about Paxton, the far right disruptors in the Texas GOP, Republicans in Congress who trot down to the Texas border for photo ops and much more. This episode was recorded at Community Beer Co. in Dallas.   GUEST: State Rep. Jared Patterson (R) Frisco / District 106

57m
Feb 02
Is Ken Paxton a Flight Risk? GOP lawmaker goes unplugged.

Our guest this week decided to go public with what so many Republican lawmakers have said in private. State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, does not have a primary opponent and is free to speak openly and boy does he in this episode with the Jasons. Patterson goes unplugged about Paxton, the far right disruptors in the Texas GOP, Republicans in Congress who trot down to the Texas border for photo ops and much more. This episode was recorded at Community Beer Co. in Dallas.   GUEST: State Rep. Jared Patterson (R) Frisco / District 106  

56m
Feb 02
“The biggest term of our lifetimes”: Texas challenges law & order at the Supreme Court

One of the nation’s foremost experts on the U.S. Supreme Court says its current session is likely “the biggest term of our lifetimes.” That’s because the docket is chock-full of cases that will impact your daily life, many of them originating here in Texas. The Justices have already waded deep into the immigration battle taking place in the Rio Grande along the Texas-Mexico border. Will Texans still have access to a widely prescribed abortion pill? Will Trump even be on the ballot in 2024? Constitutional law expert and best-selling author Steve Vladeck from the University of Texas School of Law explains how our lives could be different by summer when the term ends.   Guest  Steve Vladeck, University of Texas School of Law

50m
Jan 28
“The biggest term of our lifetimes”: Texas challenges law & order at the Supreme Court

One of the nation’s foremost experts on the U.S. Supreme Court says its current session is likely “the biggest term of our lifetimes.” That’s because the docket is chock-full of cases that will impact your daily life, many of them originating here in Texas. The Justices have already waded deep into the immigration battle taking place in the Rio Grande along the Texas-Mexico border. Will Texans still have access to a widely prescribed abortion pill? Will Trump even be on the ballot in 2024? Constitutional law expert and best-selling author Steve Vladeck from the University of Texas School of Law explains how our lives could be different by summer when the term ends.    Steve Vladeck, University of Texas School of Law

49m
Jan 28
Uvalde victims may lose their right to sue to the state

The state of Texas just did something that will make it near impossible for the Uvalde families to sue over the law enforcement failures the day of the massacre at Robb Elementary, failures recently described in detail inside a Department of Justice investigative report. In this episode of , the Jasons are joined by an attorney who is waist deep in the effort to make the evidence file public. And she says Texans still have no idea what truly happened on May 24, 2022.   Laura Lee Prather, Attorney

39m
Jan 19
Uvalde victims may lose their right to sue to the state

The state of Texas just did something that will make it near impossible for the Uvalde families to sue over the law enforcement failures the day of the massacre at Robb Elementary, failures recently described in detail inside a Department of Justice investigative report. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by an attorney who is waist deep in the effort to make the evidence file public. And she says Texans still have no idea what truly happened on May 24, 2022.   Guest Laura Lee Prather, Attorney

40m
Jan 19
The caucus carcass: A postmortem from Iowa.

After surviving subzero temps, a blizzard and a surprising cut of meat, the Jasons get into the nitty gritty of the Iowa Caucuses.

39m
Jan 16
The caucus carcass: A postmortem from Iowa.

After surviving subzero temps, a blizzard and a surprising cut of meat, the Jasons get into the nitty gritty of the Iowa Caucuses.

40m
Jan 16
Iowa is gonna leave Texas with slim pickins

Three major candidates remain in the Republican race for president. What happens on Monday night in Iowa might reduce that even further. And the winter weather that’s freezing Texas has socked in Iowa with snow, briefly paralyzing politics and adding another factor campaigns didn’t count on. The Jasons braved a blizzard warning to get beer, barbecue and this this conversation with Averi Harper, the Deputy Political Director at ABC News. Guest:  Averi Harper ABC News Deputy Political Director

29m
Jan 13
Iowa is gonna leave Texas with slim pickins

Three major candidates remain in the Republican race for president. What happens on Monday night in Iowa might reduce that even further. And the winter weather that’s freezing Texas has socked in Iowa with snow, briefly paralyzing politics and adding another factor campaigns didn’t count on. The Jasons braved a blizzard warning to get beer, barbecue and this this conversation with Averi Harper, the Deputy Political Director at ABC News. Guest:  Averi Harper ABC News Deputy Political Director

28m
Jan 13
Why Texas is dead last in personal freedom

Reality doesn’t live up to reputation when it comes to freedom in Texas. The Lone Star State is dead last in personal freedoms in an annual study by The Cato Institute. Which states are more free? How did Texas get so restrictive? The Jasons have questions for William Ruger, a Texas native himself, who prepares the freedom report every year. https://www.freedominthe50states.org/    William Ruger, CATO Institute

49m
Jan 07
Why Texas is dead last in personal freedom

Reality doesn’t live up to reputation when it comes to freedom in Texas. The Lone Star State is dead last in personal freedoms in an annual study by The Cato Institute. Which states are more free? How did Texas get so restrictive? The Jasons have questions for William Ruger, a Texas native himself, who prepares the freedom report every year.   “Freedom in the 50 States” report: Freedom in the 50 States 2023 | Cato Institute   Guest  William Ruger, CATO Institute

50m
Jan 07
Rewind: Will “Educational Freedom” Handcuff Public Schools in Texas?

The  team is on holiday break, spending time with family. But the Jasons wanted to share two of our top performing episodes of 2023 with you while they’re out. In this rewind episode, you’ll once again hear about an issue that was never resolved in 2023, despite the Governor’s best efforts and multiple special sessions. And we’re still waiting for word whether Governor Abbott will call a fifth special session to address school choice. We first released this episode on March 17, 2023.    Dr. Michelle Smith, Raise Your Hand Texas Exec. Dir.  Sen. Brandon Creighton, (R) Conroe

1h 1m
Dec 31, 2023
Rewind: Will “Educational Freedom” Handcuff Public Schools in Texas?

The Y’all-itics team is on holiday break, spending time with family. But the Jasons wanted to share two of our top performing episodes of 2023 with you while they’re out. In this rewind episode, you’ll once again hear about an issue that was never resolved in 2023, despite the Governor’s best efforts and multiple special sessions. And we’re still waiting for word whether Governor Abbott will call a fifth special session to address school choice. We first released this episode on March 17, 2023.   Guests  Dr. Michelle Smith, Raise Your Hand Texas Exec. Dir.  Sen. Brandon Creighton, (R) Conroe

1h 2m
Dec 31, 2023
Rewind: Are Texas Democrats destined for permanent minority status?

The Y’all-itics team is on holiday break, spending time with family. But the Jasons wanted to share two of our top performing episodes of 2023 with you while they’re out. In this rewind episode, you’ll learn more about whether the minority political party in Texas will stay that way forever. We first released this episode on August 6, 2023.   GUESTS State Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas (HD 114)

45m
Dec 24, 2023
Rewind: Are Texas Democrats destined for permanent minority status?

The  team is on holiday break, spending time with family. But the Jasons wanted to share two of our top performing episodes of 2023 with you while they’re out. In this rewind episode, you’ll learn more about whether the minority political party in Texas will stay that way forever. We first released this episode on August 6, 2023.   State Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas (HD 114)

44m
Dec 24, 2023