Y'all-itics

We are celebrating a Y’all-itics first this week! This episode if the first Y’all-itics recorded before a live audience, both in-person and virtual. It was all part of the Texas Conference of Urban Counties, with County Judges and County Commissioners meeting in College Station for three days to discuss policy and politics. If you want to get a pulse on Texas politics, this would be a great place to start. So, that’s exactly what the Jasons did. While they discussed everything from property taxes to the power grid, just about everyone at the conference, including and especially Republicans, wondered out loud what ever happened to local control? What ever happened to the idea that no one size fits all in Texas and local communities should be allowed to make the best decisions for them at the local level? These local leaders made it very clear to the Jasons they want it back because they think it’s hurting Texans. Guests: County Judge Glen Whitley, (R) Tarrant County County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., (D) Cameron County

From ambulances to airlines, school buses to paramedics, and garbage pickup to water main breaks. The latest wave of COVID in Texas is, fortunately, not killing as many people as other variants. But Omicron is certainly disrupting many aspects of our daily lives. Despite your job title, many Texans are picking up new responsibilities at work as businesses and governments try to remain open. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons call up Hallie Stewart, the North Texas Operations Manager for Acadian Ambulance. She not only manages that operation from the office, but she is now forced to actually hop on ambulances and respond to dispatches since the sick call list at her company has tripled with Omicron. But it’s not just ambulances. Fort Worth, like many cities across the state, is moving employees around to different departments to have enough staff to keep the city open. The Jasons also called in to that city’s noticeably empty command center to talk with the person in charge, Brandon Bennett. He and Hallie share new insight, and both answer the question of when this surge will peak.

2021 was quite a ride… even after many of us thought things might quiet down after 2020. Now that 2022 is upon us, will the political news calm down at all? Not. A. Chance. In our first episode of the new year, the Jasons speak with a couple of experts who know Texas politics. They’re breaking out their crystal balls to give us an idea of what to expect in the year ahead. And things will escalate quickly with the looming GOP primary battles. Forget the Farmer’s Almanac. This is your Y’all-itics Almanac for Texas politics in 2022. Guests: Cassandra Pollock, The Texas Tribune State Politics Reporter Kimi Lynn King, Professor/Interim Chair UNT Department of Political Science

The holiday season is upon us and the Y’all-itics team is taking a break to spend time with family. But for a couple of weeks, the Jasons wanted to share their favorite episodes of 2021 with you. It’s now Jason Whitely’s choice and his rewind episode focuses on legendary WFAA sportscaster Dale Hansen, who retired earlier this year after a distinguished career. “Dale Hansen Unplugging” originally released on May 19, 2021 and was our fourth most listened to episode in 2021. We checked… and Dale is still retired. But this remains one of our most favorite conversations, including how wrestling a bear basically launched his career. Original Summary: By now you’ve likely heard the news, legendary WFAA sportscaster Dale Hansen is retiring. But we’re pretty sure you haven’t heard the stories that Dale shares on this special episode of Y’all-itics. Exactly 24-hours after the announcement, Dale cracked open a beer with the Jasons for a look back at his 50-years in broadcasting, the well-known statewide politician he was recruited to run against a few years ago, the unbelievable way he got a job in Dallas, and how he handles haters who really get under his skin. The Jasons raise a toast to Dale and share a lot of laughs. This episode really is Dale unplugged. (original release date May 19, 2021) Guest: Dale Hansen, Retired WFAA Sports Anchor

The holiday season is upon us and the Y’all-itics team is taking a break to spend time with family. But for the next couple of weeks, the Jasons wanted to share their favorite episodes of 2021 with you. We start with Jason Wheeler. And naturally, being the “Right On The Money” guy, his rewind episode has to do with… money, and how much it takes to move into even a small home in Texas. “We’re Out of Houses in Texas” originally released on March 30, 2021 and was our second most listened to podcast all year. The Jasons add some new context nine months later. But rest assured, the housing crunch in Texas is still a big problem and the affordability issue is growing in communities all over the state. Original summary: It is a seller’s market on steroids right now in Texas. Healthy housing inventory is typically six months. But some cities in Texas are down to days. If you’re a seller, you’re likely receiving multiple offers, some significantly above asking. If you’re a buyer, good luck. It could take you a while. Some buyers are even resorting to entering contracts without a guaranteed final sales price. And at the end of the day, all homeowners in Texas will pay for the housing frenzy through higher property taxes. In this episode of Y’all-itics, experts tell the Jasons to buckle up, because we’re not living in a bubble. They say there is no end in sight. And if that wasn’t enough, learn how that “big, stuck boat” in Egypt’s Suez Canal could impact Texas real estate. (original release date: March 30, 2021) Guests: Todd Tramonte, Real Estate Marketer and Broker Anne Lakusta, Real Estate Broker

This is the farthest away from home Y’all-itics has ever been! Legendary and award winning former WFAA journalist Byron Harris joins the Jasons from the Drake Passage, one of the stormiest bodies of water on Earth. Byron had just left Antarctica after participating in a climate change research mission. If you watched any of Good Morning America’s recent extensive coverage from Antarctica, those crews were on the same ship. And did the Jasons ever learn a lot. While Byron figured he’d see a lot of penguins, nothing prepared him to see hundreds of thousands of them. And if you want to track climate change, track the penguins. Guests: Byron Harris, Former WFAA Investigative Reporter Sven-Olof Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions CEO

In less than 60-days, one of the titans of Texas business is retiring. Gary Kelly will depart as CEO of Southwest Airlines on February 1, after 17-years leading the company. He helped transform it to the largest domestic carrier in the country, opened Hawaii and international destinations and got rid of the Wright Amendment, among other things. Now, as Southwest celebrates the 50th anniversary since its first flight, Kelly joins the Jasons for this episode of Y’all-itics – meeting them at the San Antonio bar where the airline was born on the back of a cocktail napkin in the 1960s. GUEST: Gary Kelly, CEO Southwest Airlines

Known as the Texas Triangle, the area from Dallas to Houston and over to San Antonio/Austin would be the 15th largest economy in the world, producing $1.2 Billion in economic output. That’s equivalent to Mexico or Spain. And seven in 10 Texans live there. So, if it is the economic engine driving our state, why isn’t it also driving our politics? And because the politics outside of this Triangle have come to dominate the state, some experts fear it could kill the Texas growth model. At least one major company has already said it would help pay for any employee who wishes to relocate. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Steven Pedigo, the Director of the LBJ Urban Lab in Austin and a professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Pedigo says if you want to understand the country, then understand our state, because Texas is the future of America… unless the direction of our politics pulls the rug out from under all of us. Guest: Steven Pedigo, LBJ Urban Lab Director

If you’re waiting for the supply chain to return to normal, stop immediately. This is the new abnormal. And our experts say it’s going to stay this way for a while. The problem is worldwide and can be found in factories, on cargo ships and inside ports and trucks. And often, it’s not that the goods aren’t available. In fact, warehouses all across the country are full. There just aren’t enough workers to move those goods. And as if that’s not bad enough, everything is now wrapped in a shroud of inflation. And through it all, consumers have still been spending like crazy, so ultimately the problem could be… us. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by supply chain and logistics experts who discuss how long this will last, how much worse it might get and the government policies that could fix it. As it turns out, Texas could actually benefit in the long run. Guests Professor Margaret Kidd, University of Houston/Supply Chain & Logistics Technology Aaron Armistead, Regional Vice President/NFI Industries

Y’all-itics is celebrating a birthday! The unofficial podcast of Texas is now a two-year-old. And in this special release, we celebrate with you… and our boss. We asked for comments from our listeners and you delivered. And the Jasons are also joined by the unofficial Y’all-itics CEO. Thanks for your support! We couldn’t do this without you. And the entire Y’all-itics team is looking forward to year three. Cheers! Guest Carolyn Mungo, WFAA Station Manager/Y’all-itics CEO

Only 90-minutes after his official announcement that he’d be running for Texas Governor, Democrat Beto O’Rourke joined the Jasons for this early episode of Y’all-itics. And one of the first things they noticed was a different candidate than in the past. O’Rourke didn’t hold back, speaking directly about many issues, including his past comments on guns, February’s power grid fiasco, protecting oil & gas jobs, even trying to lower property taxes through Medicaid expansion. The Jasons also get more perspective on O’Rourke’s candidacy and the gubernatorial race from the journalist who broke the news that Beto was back… and running for Governor.

You say it’s our birthday? Well, yes it is. Y’all-itics is turning two and we want you to be a part of our birthday podcast! Tell us why you listen, your favorite episode, who you’d like for us to interview, what beer we should try, even what you’re hoping to see in 2022. Click on this link to go to our Zoom room and record a video voicemail! Or call the Y’all-itics hotline at (214) 977-6020

You don’t have to live near the Texas coast to soon start seeing the effects of climate change. The next decade or two mean more flooded parking lots, water in roads, and beach erosion from sea level rise. The ocean has already risen two feet in Galveston since 1900. But there’s another problem unique to this state. Texas is also sinking. All the oil and gas we have pulled out of the ground for the last century is now causing subsidence. That means Texas will see a double whammy from climate change. What is Texas doing to address it? Turns out, not much. David Schechter, reporter for WFAA in Dallas, is one of the few Texas television reporters to consistently document the changing climate in our state. Last year, David won the duPont-Columbia Award, the broadcast equivalent of Pulitzer Prize, for his reporting on climate change. On this week’s episode, we pour David a pint and listen to him explain what’s at stake right now for Texas, why being the leader in wind and solar energy isn’t enough. The U.N. Secretary General even had something to say to David about Texas ignoring the warning signs. Forget political talking points. The science is clear. As David put it, this is what we’re headed for. Period. Watch: With world leaders gathering to find solutions for climate change, what does it mean for Texas? Texans face greater risk of heat, drought and hurricanes, but Abbott administration has no plan to tackle future threats of climate change The sea is rising faster than any time in the last 3,000 years, experts say | Climate Crossroads

It is an alarming statistic: rural Texans are twice as likely to die of COVID than their urban counterparts. While the pandemic has heightened the mortality disparity, the reasons behind it go much deeper than the disease itself. Secret vaccinations and remote healthcare are helping some of these communities pull through. But not all. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons go on the road to Mount Pleasant and visit Titus Regional Medical Center, the last independent hospital in northeast Texas. There were more deaths at that hospital in September than at any point in its 70-year history. And the CEO says closing this mortality gap will not be easy, or fast. The Jasons are also joined by John Henderson, CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH), who recently testified before lawmakers in Austin as they debated how to spend billions in federal COVID relief funding and discusses the “breathing room” those dollars will provide rural hospitals. Guests: Terry Scoggin, CEO/Titus Regional Medical Center John Henderson, CEO/Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

November 1 could mark a historic moment at the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s when Texas goes to D.C. to defend its new abortion law and the ruling could change 50-years of legal precedent. The Justices even took the rare step of fast-tracking two cases brought against the state’s near-total ban. Abortion providers filed one. The U.S. Department of Justice filed the other. So, in this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons call up Stephen Vladeck, a constitutional law expert at the University of Texas, to cut through the legalese. Turns out, Vladeck explained, Justices could strike down the Texas law and still limit abortion rights. It’s the first of several big cases this Supreme Court term. And Vladeck says the country hasn’t seen this much constitutional tumult since the 1930s and there is a gravity to this moment which has no comparison.

Better get ready for winter. Electric providers and some state lawmakers tell the Jasons they remain concerned that Texas could again experience a large-scale failure if the state suffers through another deep freeze in the coming months. State Representative Jon Rosenthal recently filed a bill that would close a loophole which allows natural gas companies to opt out of winter weatherization requirements, but that legislation will not be taken up during the final few hours of the third special session in Austin. Meantime, the President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association tells the Jasons the concern is not that too many natural gas companies will use that loophole to opt out, but that too many might opt in and they would take the electricity reserved for, say, a hospital during an emergency. Still, Todd Staples says there’s already been a 2,000% increase in the number of natural gas companies that have winterized equipment. But as you’ll hear in this episode of Y’all-itics, that isn’t stopping the state’s largest electricity generator from taking its own steps to protect its equipment and Texans.

One came tantalizing close to victory in the same race in 2018. The other was a Democrat, turned Republican and is now a Democrat again. And both have very specific ideas for Texas. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons share a beer with WFAA anchor/reporter Teresa Woodard, after she conducted wide-ranging interviews with Mike Collier and Matthew Dowd. They’re talking Texas’ two biggest problems, running against each other, guns, changing parties and lessons learned. They’ll meet each other in the Democratic primary next spring then one of them will be on the ballot against Dan Patrick next November. Meet them both in this episode.

As the Texas Secretary of State spins up an audit of the 2020 election, it’s important to remember this is a road we’ve been down before. In this episode, the Jasons are joined by SMU professor Matthew Wilson, Ph.D., an expert in politics and elections in America, who explains why this could be our new normal. Questioning election results also happened in 2000, 2004, and 2016. But the most recent decision by the Secretary of State’s office to audit election results in Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties continues to reverberate across the state. And 2020 was a very successful election in Texas… for Republicans. So, many observers are openly asking why the GOP is, in essence, auditing itself. The Chair of the Texas House Elections Committee, a Republican, says he supports the audit, but only in limited fashion and even he isn’t sure what, if anything, could be revealed by it. The Dallas County Judge, a Democrat, says it’s not a real audit, only Republicans pushing a political narrative to justify making it harder for minorities and young people to vote. You’ll also hear from both in this episode of Y’all-itics.

There are two folks you have not heard from in all the news coverage of the state’s new abortion law; these are the two out-of-staters who are suing a San Antonio abortion doctor. So, the Jasons cracked open the White Pages, pulled out their long-distance calling card and got Oscar Stilley on the phone from Cedarville, Ark. and Felipe Gomez on the line from Chicago. Though, Gomez said, tongue-in-cheek, that it takes a couple ‘yahoos’ from other states to test the Texas law, both men have legal backgrounds and are coming to Texas courts with different motivations. To put these guys in context, the Jasons also called a law professor at South Texas College of Law who explains why SB8, as Texas’ abortion law is known, is almost a sideshow to what’s happening in Mississippi.

The Lincoln Project is going after Governor Greg Abbott. This is the group of former Republicans well known for blistering attacks on President Donald Trump and later, Senator Ted Cruz. And this latest battle is already getting juicy. The Lincoln Project released a new attack ad called “Abbott’s Wall,” criticizing his handling of the pandemic by highlighting how many Texans have died of COVID-19. The organization says the ad was scheduled to air during the Texas Longhorns game Saturday night, but was pulled at the last minute. And it is now openly questioning whether Governor Abbott used his influence to have the ad yanked from the air. In this episode of Y’all-itics, co-founder Rick Wilson tells the Jasons why he thinks Gov. Abbott is now more dangerous than former President Trump, how the state’s new abortion bounty system could spectacularly backfire on Republicans and why the organization will continue attacking the Governor moving forward.

Texas Republicans are lining up to run against Governor Greg Abbott. So, why isn’t there a single Democrat in the race yet? Veteran Texas Democratic consultant Harold Cook hammered out a harsh Tweet about the lack of a candidate in his party. So, the Jasons called him up for this episode. Cook, who worked on President Bill Clinton and Governor Ann Richards’ campaigns in Texas, says ‘can’t beat somebody with nobody.’ Cook also revealed what’s likely happening behind the scenes right now, the list of fellow Democrats that he thinks has the best shot against Abbott next year, and why Beto O’Rourke has a lot to consider on whether he should run.

The Texas bullet train could finally happen sooner than you think. In fact, a vote in Congress this month might determine its future. The CEO of Texas Central, Carlos Aguilar, answered the Jasons call for this episode of Y’all-itics and gave them the lowdown on what’s happening behind the scenes, how much money is needed to finish the project, what a ticket will cost on the bullet train, as well as where...and when...the very first tracks will be laid.

Y’all-itics: August 30, 2021 The deadline for the U.S. to withdraw from Afghanistan is upon us: August 31. Since the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, Americans in that country, Afghans who hold Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and anyone who helped the U.S. war effort over the last 20-years have been scrambling to leave the country. And as our military action winds down in Afghanistan, it is the dawn of a new battle, a war over paperwork. Many critics of the withdrawal openly question why adequate preparations weren’t made to give hundreds of thousands of people time to get their paperwork together. Now, many are trapped in limbo with their lives on the line. Unfortunately, it looks like they could be stuck in that dangerous situation for quite a while. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by Holly Kuzmich, the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas who talks about the frantic efforts save some of their own colleagues, all while trying to continue their promise to help empower women across the globe. And Holly Kuzmich predicts there will be plenty of Congressional hearings to investigate what went wrong. Guest: Holly Kuzmich, Bush Institute Executive Director Holly Kuzmich (bushcenter.org)

Will you need a ticket and a Covid status card for concerts? Before they could listen to the music recently, some Texas concertgoers first heard: What’s your vaccination status? With the Delta variant of the coronavirus still ravaging Texas, country music star Jason Isbell took the stage for a mid-August performance at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth in front of a crowd that---on his insistence—was comprised of people who could either show a Covid vaccination card or a recent negative test. The general manager of this institution at the Stockyards got an earful out of this concert…including from state regulators who reminded him that there’s actually a state law in Texas now that prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Billy Bobs' Marty Travis walks the Jasons through a raucous week backstage, all of it touched off by what was just a one-night thing at this famed honkytonk. But really, this was just the beginning. Even if you aren’t a fan of Jason Isbell or vaccine requirements for entry, have a listen. Because like it has done with everything else, Covid is quickly and drastically altering admissions to live music events—as evidenced by the new requirements just announced for this year’s Austin City Limits music festival.

Are you as confused about the local mask mandates in Texas as we are? Who can order what and when is about as clear as mud at this point. Even the courts can’t seem to agree. So we decided to turn to a constitutional law expert for some clarity. Stephen Vladeck from the University of Texas joins the Jasons once again to help explain in a way only he can. One thing he said that’s crystal clear? This process is messy. And unfortunately, Vladeck says we’re only in for more confusion. And after you listen to this episode of Y’all-itics, you just might rethink how you vote for a Texas Supreme Court Justice. Guest:Stephen I Vladeck | Faculty | Texas Law (utexas.edu)

The resistance is underway in Texas and growing by the day. And more cities, counties and school districts are expected to challenge the Governor’s ban on mask mandates in the coming days. For many parents who’ve already sent their kids back to school – or are about to – the issue is one of life-or-death. In this emergency episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by two Superintendents who find themselves squarely in the middle of this debate. Dr. Stephanie Elizalde leads the Austin ISD, which started mandating masks today in defiance of Governor Greg Abbott. Within hours of that decision, hundreds of parents re-enrolled their kids for in-person learning when students return Tuesday, August 17. And Dr. Elizalde walks you through the thought process and the reaction. The Jasons are also joined by Dr. Brian Woods the Northside ISD Superintendent in San Antonio. They have yet to make a decision on mask requirements there, but they don’t start school until Monday, August 23. For both Superintendents, the issue boils down to local control and having the ability to make the best decisions for their individual communities. And both fully recognize local control was once religion to the GOP, but that these days Republican leadership is telling them what they can and can’t do from Austin. Y'all-itics is sponsored by Octopus Energy. Save $60 on a 12-month plan by using the offer code OCTOPUS60 at octopusenergy.com. Octopus Energy — Better Energy Within Reach Guests: Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Austin ISD Superintendent https://www.austinisd.org Dr. Brian Woods, Northside ISD Superintendent https://www.nisd.net

Passions have already been flaring in Austin. But the temperature may get hotter under the Capitol dome as new Census numbers arrive and the thorny process of divvying up the state's 38 Congressional districts commences. Before he became the senior counsel for the Brennan Center's Democracy Program, Michael Li went to school and worked in Texas. He knows the state well. And he regards Texas as one of the "highest risk states" for what he warns could be the most aggressive gerrymandering in U.S. history in this cycle. Li explains why a heavily partisan redraw of Congressional boundaries is a threat to democracy and undermines the concept that each Texan’s vote matters equally. Republicans have total control in Texas government, which is why Democrats walked out at the end of the regular legislative session and decamped for D.C. throughout the first special session and now into the second special session. Will the Dems stay away from a third legislative overtime to prevent a quorum and grind the redistricting gears to a halt? Li talks about what we can expect as we head into what he calls the "10-year Olympics" in Texas. This time it may look like a cross between a sprint, a marathon and wrestling... possibly with some legislative gymnastics thrown in. Michael Li- Brennan Center’s Democracy Program

Conservatives are lining up to run against incumbent Governor Greg Abbott and incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton. Who has a shot? Does anyone have a shot? Could Abbott or Paxton face a loss? The Jasons called up two Texas Republicans from different sides of the party. Former state Sen. Konni Burton, R-Fort Worth, explains why she thinks Abbott is in political trouble. Former state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, says he thinks Paxton could face a runoff. Sure, the GOP primary is a long way off, but the campaigns are already ramping up and that got the Jasons talking in this episode.

When the first school bells ring across Texas just weeks from now, students, parents, and educators will head back into the pandemic unknown. The Jasons check back in with Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa. He was on Y’all-itics a year ago when there was so much uncertainty heading into a new school term. It feels like that all over again as he readies his mega-district for the start of the ’21-‘22 session. In fact, he’ll preside over three different school start dates this year. His district and others are getting creative and sharing ideas with each other. Critics say there isn’t much guidance coming from the state, except for orders that schools can’t mandate masks or offer a virtual learning option. So, what happens if kids have to quarantine? Flush with federal cash from Covid relief legislation, Dr. Hinojosa says DISD is hiring an army of tutors. The district also plans to self-fund a virtual option if the state doesn’t agree to foot the bill for it. Also joining the Jasons for this episode is Texas PTA President Suzi Kennon, with what the state PTA will be doing to help make a tough year easier and what she’s hearing from parents across the state. Kennon also gets real---as a mom---and shares her concerns for her own child as kids head back to class at a time when the highly transmissible Delta variant of coronavirus is aggressively spreading across Texas, which continues to struggle with a lackluster vaccination rate.

There’s no end in sight to this political standoff. Texas House Democrats remain in D.C. Austin remains at a standstill. The inevitable is likely only delayed. But is there any room for compromise? Will this legislation change how you vote? And what’s up with that case of Miller Lite on the bus with Democrats? Wheeler took off to put his feet in the sand for a few days leaving Whitely on his own to pop the top on a Miller Lite with the youngest member of the Texas legislature, state Rep. James Tallarico. In this episode, state Rep. Craig Goldman, a Fort Worth Republican, also joined Y’all-itics to talk about the lonely days in the legislature and the backchannel conversations that the GOP is having with Democrats in D.C.

In a special legislative session underway right now, Texas Republicans are once trying to change voting laws in this state. And the Supreme Court of the United States just dealt another blow to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That watershed law was pushed through by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, a Texas native, who rightly predicted that by signing it, he was also signing away his party's chance to hold political power in the south. But LBJ made the political sacrifice without regret because of one formative thing that happened to him in college. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons go back in time with Mark Updegrove, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation. Mark shares what he believes LBJ would think and do in response to Republican efforts that some say have weakened one of his signature achievements. Mark also shares what ordinary people should do to have a voice as this state and this country faces a reckoning on voting rights and restrictions. http://www.lbjlibrary.org/page/foundation

On Thursday, Texas lawmakers are returning to the state capital for a special legislative session. Changing voting laws is paramount for Texas’ Republican leaders who are intent on avenging Donald Trump’s defeat. But the bill they consider during the 30-day special session, likely will not be as strict as the one that failed during the regular session. Still, do Democrats have a shot of stopping any of it? Joining the Jasons for this episode is Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and one of the most sourced journalists in Austin. Scott shares insight on Abbott’s primary challenge from the right and explains why the governor is not making the same mistake he did when he called the last special session in 2017.

There’s a new political party in Texas looking to shake things up. But instead of running towards the edges, the Serve America Movement (SAM) has its roots planted firmly in the middle. While SAM already has parties established in four states, Texas could be the linchpin of its overall success. The rest of the country will be closely watching to see if SAM has a fighting chance in a deep red state. But how can it succeed where so many other new parties have failed? What is it offering that would allow it to crash the nation’s longstanding two-party juggernaut? In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons talk to SAM’s founding chairman in Texas Bill King who tells them the party and its supporters are convinced there’s a big chunk of Texans who just “want somebody to do the damn job.” Serve America Movement: https://joinsam.org

Inside the skyline, the transformation has been subtle and taken time but downtown Dallas has a new story to tell. In their first in-person podcast episode in almost a year and a half, the Jasons pile into a booth at the stylish Catbird restaurant and bar in the newly renovated 50-story National building for a conversation with Kourtny Garrett, the president & CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc. In 1996, 200 people lived downtown. Today, it’s home to 12,000. Twenty years ago, downtown Dallas had 40 vacant buildings. Today, there are none. During the pandemic, downtown not only survived but it thrived. No construction projects here were lost, rents are increasing, scooters are coming back and there are four new parks. Kourtny also explains how the city is ‘activating blocks’ to make the city center more walkable.

We use it every day for freeways and foundations, pools and patios. In fact, Texas uses more cement than any other state, says Ed Sullivan, the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Market Intelligence for the Portland Cement Association. But Covid-19 caused cement supply chain disruptions. And then the February winter storm hit, temporarily knocking cement plants offline and doing serious damage to at least one major facility. Now, this crucial ingredient for concrete is in tight supply just as the peak summer construction season gets underway, and Sullivan says Dallas is the tightest market in the country right now. Home builder Michael Turner can back that up. He tells the Jasons that the daily ration he is getting sometimes isn’t enough to pour a complete foundation for just one new home! Sullivan predicts this will “bridle” economic activity as Texas tries to fully rebound from the Covid slowdown. But in this episode of Y’all-itics, this foremost expert in the industry also forecasts when he thinks this important commodity Texas needs so much…will be back in full supply.

On June 15, 2021, the city of Fort Worth will have its first new mayor in 10 years. And even Mattie Parker understands she’s now the youngest Mayor of a major U.S. city (12th largest according to new Census Bureau estimates). In this bonus episode of Y’all-itics, Parker explains why the budget is her first priority as the city emerges from the pandemic flush with federal dollars. Parker also says she’s excited to work with a younger City Council, which has five new members, with the average age of all of them dropping from 60 to 45 after the election. And she fully expects their generation to step up and make a difference in the city. So, expect to see the kids at City Hall. Once you listen, you’ll understand why we mean that literally, not figuratively. Guests: Matie Parker, Fort Worth Mayor-Elect

Texans are one signature away from being able to carry their handguns in public without a permit. And many members of law enforcement say permitless carry will make their jobs far more dangerous… and the consequences are coming. The President of the Dallas Police Association says many officers are asking how they’ll even know the difference between the good guy and the bad guy. And Michael Mata tells the Jasons he fully expects the number of violent confrontations between business owners and customers to grow as a result of the legislation. And in this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are also joined by Frederick Frazier, a McKinney City Council member and a longtime lobbyist for law enforcement issues who says no training plus no background check equals a recipe for disaster. But what if you’re not a cop? What should you expect? Longer holds on 911 and slower response times are just the start of it. HB 1927: Texas Legislature Online - 87(R) History for HB 1927 Guests: Michael Mata, Dallas Police Association President Dallas PA Frederick Frazier, McKinney City Council Council Members | McKinney, TX - Official Website (mckinneytexas.org)

Whether you’re building or buying, it’s a brutal housing market in Texas. And it’s about to get even tougher as we enter the summer season, when people really start looking for a new home. Texas leads the country, by far, in new housing permits. But demand is outpacing supply by a Texas mile. Hang around any construction type and you'll hear the phrase "I've never seen anything like this before.” In fact, in this episode the Jasons are hearing that from Ted Wilson, one of the foremost residential construction experts in the state. Ted even talks about how it’s now difficult to find vacant lots. In other words, Texas is even running out of dirt to build a home on. The Jasons also talk to a Dallas resident about the many difficulties he’s faced while trying to build a home, from the permit process to surging prices. And if you’re about to do the same, he has some advice you’ll want to hear. Can anything slow down this runaway train? You’ll learn that in this episode as well. Residential Strategies Inc – New Home Market Research & Consulting

Following the catastrophic power failure in February, Texans heard all sorts of promises from lawmakers and other state leaders. They’ll fix this mess, they told us, so it never happens again. Another legislative session has nearly come and gone, and lawmakers have yet to pass any energy reform bills (anybody remember 2011?). Lawmakers are close. But can they get anything across the finish line during the final week of the session? The consumer rights advocacy group Public Citizen tells the Jasons that even if lawmakers pass the legislation, it falls far short of what’s needed to protect Texans from the next big storm. And the CEO of Texas’ largest generator of energy says lawmakers better act or the state’s economy will pay the price. In this episode of Y’all-itics, he explains why inaction could freeze business expansion in Texas. SB 3: Texas Legislature Online - 87(R) History for SB 3 Guests: Curtis “Curt” Morgan, Vistra Corp. CEO Home - Vistra Corp. Adrian Shelley, Public Citizen Public Citizen - Protecting Health, Safety, and Democracy

By now you’ve likely heard the news, legendary WFAA sportscaster Dale Hansen is retiring. But we’re pretty sure you haven’t heard the stories that Dale shares on this special episode of Y’all-itics. Exactly 24-hours after the announcement, Dale cracked open a beer with the Jasons for a look back at his 50-years in broadcasting, the well-known statewide politician he was recruited to run against a few years ago, the unbelievable way he got a job in Dallas, and how he handles haters – who really get under his skin. The Jasons raise a toast to Dale and share a lot of laughs. This episode really is Dale unplugged. Dale’s “Celebrating Our Differences” Unplugged More of Dale “Unplugged”

A new study says re-opening schools in Texas led to an additional 43,000+ cases and 800+ deaths across the state. In fact, one of the lead researchers says it was a stronger connection than they would have guessed. What isn’t clear, is exactly how many of those were teachers. That researcher tells the Jasons why that is and why he hopes the study becomes part of the discussion before any concrete decisions are made for schools in the fall. The Texas Education Agency tells us they stand by their decisions and pointed us towards criticism of this study. But many teachers and other school workers wouldn’t be surprised by the results. They predicted, some right here on Y’all-itics, they would lose co-workers to the disease before they even returned to classrooms. But nobody knows the exact number of teachers who’ve died of COVID during this school year… because the state isn’t tracking those statistics. So WFAA reporter Teresa Woodard did just that. And she also joins the Jasons to talk about her investigation in this episode of Y’all-itics. WATCH Teresa Woodard’s investigation on WFAA and wfaa.com on Tuesday, May 18 at 10pm NBER Study: School Reopenings, Mobility, and COVID-19 Spread: Evidence from Texas | NBER

A record number of women are currently serving in the United States Congress, but to many, it’s just a mirage. And they say true parity remains distant, especially here in Texas. A few years ago, two women launched the Lone Star Parity Project to not only get a better idea of the number of women running for office in Texas, but also which positions they filed for and how many were actually elected. A couple of reports later, the numbers remain stark. Out of 254 counties in Texas, their new study says only nine of them are at parity, where women hold 50% of all elected offices. And they discovered many women say no several times before actually choosing to run for office. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons sit down with the founders of the Lone Star Parity Project to find out what their numbers mean and how they can be used to help future generations of women find success in politics. Watch this episode on YouTube Lone Star Parity Project:

If so many Texans are angry over their property tax appraisals, has anybody ever considered scrapping the entire system? A lawmaker from East Texas has. He even has such a bill in Austin to do just that. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons find out how it would all work. HB 3770: Texas Legislature Online - 87(R) History for HB 3770

It’s “the season” again… that magical time of year when Texans walk to the mailbox with a mix of resentment and trepidation, take a deep breath, and then dare to look at their property appraisal. Even if you have no plans to move, the red-hot housing market in Texas may cause your appraisal (and later your property taxes) to rise significantly. But you don’t just have to accept what the appraisal district has written on that piece of paper. You can protest. And one of the foremost experts on how to do it tells the Jasons that you should protest your appraisal… every year. Realtor Chandler Crouch has become a viral sensation for his “how-to” videos. He even got the attention of Texas lawmakers who sought his expertise and recently invited him to testify in Austin about some ways to potentially fix the Texas property tax system. He has also been helping thousands of property owners in Tarrant County contest their appraisals… for FREE. Chandler Crouch’s Protest Website: FreeTaxProtest.com Ben Lauer’s Protest Website: Dallas Tax Dispute: Ben Lauer Real Estate Group

The conversation in this episode was real, raw and recorded live as the verdict in the Derek Chauvin came down on Tuesday afternoon. In this emergency release of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined once again by the politician and the educator, both fathers, who first joined the podcast after the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Podcast host Cydney Walker, a mother who’s been following the trial gavel to gavel, also joins this important conversation. As the country watched this defining moment, these three Black leaders in Texas watched history unfold together. This is their reaction.

HB 6. SB 7. That simple combination of four letters and two numbers could have a profound impact on Texas for years to come. Those are bills that lawmakers are debating in Austin that could change Texas voting laws. A recent report by The Perryman Group, led by a respected Texas economist, predicts if those bills are passed, Texas would lose billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs… in the next four years alone. What’s more, the Perryman Group says that doesn’t even include the potential loss of tourism and other economic drivers such as professional sports and conventions. This potential impact on the bottom line is why you’re hearing some companies come out against the legislation. But boycotts can work both ways, which is also weighing heavily on the minds of some business leaders. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons speak with Dr. Ray Perryman about the potential impact of this legislation, the CEO of a national business group who talks about what to expect out of big business over the next few weeks, and the Speaker of the Texas House who says he’s reached out to some CEOs in Texas but hasn’t heard a word back from any of them. Perryman Group report: The Potential Economic Impact of Legislation Restricting Voter Access on Business Activity in Texas | The Perryman Group Follow HB 6: Texas Legislature Online - 87(R) History for HB 6 Follow SB 7: Texas Legislature Online - 87(R) History for SB 7

Ready for a change? A growing number of Americans are exchanging four walls for four wheels. The fast-growing subculture is full of folks looking to redefine the American dream while living exclusively in their RVs, vans and campers. And one of the oldest and largest groups of digital nomads has an “address” right here in Texas, some 75-miles north of Houston. Members “live” in that city even though they may never visit. And that means they can get a Texas driver’s license, register their vehicle and not have to worry about a state income tax. What’s more, they can vote. And as the Jasons learned in this episode of Y’all-itics, with such a large group, they can influence some elections. The question now is how all of those election bills being considered in Austin might change things. Chris & Cristi Moody (@lifeoptedout) • Instagram photos and videos Read "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Living Nowhere"

Race, violence and medicine. Those three words intersect in Dr. Brian Williams’ emergency room. Gun violence is more than a headline or political talking point for him. Dr. Williams sees the aftermath of it every day. What’s most concerning, he says, is the disparities in gun violence. Young black men are half of all gunshot victims. Dr. Williams has set out to change that. He wants to start a conversation about the larger societal issues, and he has the credentials to do it. Dr. Williams, a Black man, was the surgeon on duty at Parkland Hospital on July 7, 2016 when police officers were shot and killed in downtown Dallas. In this episode, he tells the Jasons how that night changed him, and how Race, Violence and Medicine – the title of his own podcast – intersect every day. Listen to Dr. Williams Podcast here

It is a seller’s market on steroids right now in Texas. Healthy housing inventory is typically six months. But some cities in Texas are down to days. If you’re a seller, you’re likely receiving multiple offers, some significantly above asking. If you’re a buyer, good luck. It could take you a while. Some buyers are even resorting to entering contracts without a guaranteed final sales price. And at the end of the day, all homeowners in Texas will pay for the housing frenzy through higher property taxes. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons discuss tips for buyers and sellers. And the experts tell them to buckle up, because we’re not living in a bubble. They say there is no end in sight. And if that wasn’t enough, learn how the big, stuck boat in Egypt is likely to impact Texas real estate, even though it’s now free. Todd Tramonte Home Selling Team Anne Lakusta - Designated Broker - GO Management Real Estate

Election security? Or voter suppression? The rhetoric is heating up in Texas as the battle over election reform begins in earnest this week. While there is a spate of bills lawmakers will consider, Senate Bill 7 is the granddaddy of them all. Among other things, it would eliminate drive-thru voting, limit voting hours, make it much harder to vote by mail. In this week’s episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by the Executive Director of Progress Texas, an organization that amplifies progressive causes. Edward Espinoza says if election uniformity is the true goal, why not expand access for voters, instead of making it harder for some to participate. And the Jasons speak to Republican state Senator Paul Bettencourt, who calls the proposals common sense reform, not some grandiose scheme to turn back what was very successful election… for Republicans. We’d like to know what you think about Y’all-itics! So, please take the survey the Jasons mentioned: https://bit.ly/3qPjJDO