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.   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

Y'all-itics

Why the Texas Power Grid could still be Vulnerable to “Large-Scale Failures” this Winter

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.   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

Collier v. Dowd on Texas’ two biggest problems, gun rights and Beto

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.     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

Will Election Audits be our New Normal?

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 Texas who explains why SB8, as Texas’ abortion law is known, is almost a sideshow to what’s happening in Mississippi.   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

Talking to the two ‘yahoos‘ suing over Texas‘ abortion law

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.   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

The Lincoln Project: Gov. Abbott more Dangerous than Trump

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.   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

Republicans think Gov. Abbott is vulnerable. Why don’t Texas Democrats?

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 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

Texas Bullet Train CEO: The details you haven’t heard.

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.   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   Guest:   Holly Kuzmich, Bush Institute Executive Director Holly Kuzmich (bushcenter.org)

After Afghanistan: The Paperwork War

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.    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

Concerts, COVID and Cold Ones

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) 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

Legal Purgatory: What Texas Courts Say About Your Masks

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

The Masked Resistance Fights Back in Texas

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   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.  

Redistricting: "What used to be a dark art has become a dark science"

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.   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.

Why the right is running against Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton

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. 

Could this school year actually be more challenging than the last?

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.    

D.C., Miller Lite, & Monopoly: The Politics of Voting in Texas

Y’all-itics is the unofficial political podcast of Texas.