San Antonio’s media landscape is changing—and a new voice is asking some important questions. In this episode of Beyond the Bite, Eddie Aldrete sits down with Phil Reichert, editor of The Civic San Antonio, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan media outlet focused on accountability journalism. Reichert explains why the founders of The Civic believed San Antonio needed a different kind of local news outlet—and how their mission of accountability journalism is designed to ask a simple question: “Is our city working the way it should?”

The conversation takes a closer look at what accountability journalism means in practice—from comparing what public officials say they will do with what actually happens, to examining whether institutions are achieving the goals they set for themselves. Reichert and Aldrete discuss the changing San Antonio media environment, the challenges facing traditional news organizations, and why local journalism matters when decisions made at City Hall can directly affect the everyday lives of residents. They also explore some of the biggest issues facing San Antonio, including the downtown arena, development, taxes, the city budget and the growing pressure on local government to make difficult choices.

Looking ahead, Reichert shares his vision for The Civic and for San Antonio itself. Beyond covering conflict at City Hall, he wants to examine the institutions and leaders working to move the community forward—and the importance of building consensus around a shared vision for the city's future. From economic development to downtown investment and the potential for greater collaboration among San Antonio's civic institutions, this conversation explores not only what is happening at City Hall, but the bigger question of where San Antonio is going—and who is helping shape its future.

The San Antonio City Council has rejected Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ call for a second vote on the city’s $489 million contribution to the new Spurs arena. Now the focus shifts to what comes next: negotiating the contract with the Spurs, shaping the master plan for the surrounding development, and confronting a $158 million budget gap.

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, Eddie Aldrete sits down with two veterans of San Antonio city government and politics, Carlos Contreras, CEO of Goodwill and former assistant city manager, and Demonte Alexander, Managing Director of Public Affairs at Bridgewater Consulting Group and former city hall staffer, to examine what comes next.

The conversation then turns to one of City Hall’s biggest immediate challenges: closing a $158 million budget gap. Carlos and Demonte explain how the city builds its budget, where cuts could come from, and the difficult choices facing council members as they weigh public safety, parks, libraries, nonprofit funding and other priorities. They also discuss the growing financial pressure on San Antonio residents as the city, SAWS, schools and other public entities consider tax increases or bond packages.

The discussion also looks ahead to the next legislative session and Governor Greg Abbott’s proposal to open CPS Energy to competition. What would that mean for one of San Antonio’s most important economic assets—and for the hundreds of millions of dollars CPS contributes to the city’s general fund? Carlos and Demonte weigh the potential benefits, risks and unanswered questions surrounding the proposal.

Finally, the conversation looks toward San Antonio’s next major bond program and the city’s growing infrastructure needs. From roads and sidewalks to drainage and aging water infrastructure, the challenge is how to prioritize limited resources while continuing to accommodate one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Throughout the episode, Carlos and Demonte offer an insider’s perspective on City Hall, leadership, coalition-building and the difficult choices that will shape San Antonio’s future.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-contreras-80a6491a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/demonte-alexander-7a6a7620/

Who gets the final say when voters have already spoken?

In November 2025, Bexar County voters approved a financing plan for a new downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs, including $489 million in city visitor tax funds and $311 million in county visitor tax funds. The Spurs are contributing $500 million toward the arena, guaranteeing construction cost overruns, and investing another $1.5 billion in the surrounding sports and entertainment district.

But now, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is calling for another vote on the city’s $489 million commitment. On this episode of Beyond the Bite, Eddie Aldrete sits down with San Antonio City Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Councilman Marc Whyte to ask a fundamental question: Haven’t San Antonio voters already made their decision?

The conversation takes a deep dive into how the arena is actually being financed, including the capturing of hospitality taxes generated in the Project Finance Zone that would normally go back to the State of Texas, other hospitality taxes, the use of revenue bonds, and the Spurs’ private investment. Meza Gonzalez and Whyte explain why they believe the $489 million cannot simply be redirected to address San Antonio’s budget deficit or increase the city’s future bond capacity. They also discuss the Spurs’ $75 million commitment in the form of community benefits agreement, how residents can have a greater voice in the sports and entertainment district, and why clear communication about complicated public financing is essential.

The arena debate is just the beginning. With San Antonio facing a significant budget deficit, Aldrete, Meza Gonzalez, and Whyte tackle the difficult choices confronting City Hall—from Ready to Work and Pre-K 4 SA to nonprofit funding, zero-based budgeting, public safety, infrastructure, and the future of city services. They also discuss the increasingly contentious relationship between Mayor Jones and City Council and why collaboration may be essential to solving San Antonio’s fiscal challenges. Is it time to revisit decisions already made—or time for City Hall to move forward and focus on making the arena and downtown sports and entertainment district work for all San Antonians?

Listen now to this candid conversation about the Spurs arena, San Antonio’s budget crisis, voter-approved funding, and the future direction of the city.

Texas came within 4 minutes and 23 seconds of a total grid collapse during Winter Storm Uri—and the consequences could have been catastrophic. In this episode, Host Eddie Aldrete sits down with Bill Lauderback of Texans for Responsible Infrastructure Investment to take listeners inside that near-disaster and explains why strengthening the state’s power grid has become one of Texas’s most urgent economic and public-safety challenges.

As Texas adds millions of residents, major employers, manufacturing plants, electric vehicles, and data centers, demand is quickly outgrowing the system built to serve it. Lauderback breaks down the push for new 765kV transmission lines in plain language: why moving power across the state is like expanding a congested highway, why inadequate transmission already costs Texans billions, and why the Permian Basin’s power needs matter to the entire country.

The debate is about more than power lines—it’s about whether Texas can protect its people, keep its economy growing, and avoid another devastating grid emergency. Hear the case for building the grid “right and now,” the concerns from landowners and communities, and what these high-voltage lines could mean for Texas’s future. Dive in for a timely, candid conversation about the infrastructure behind every light switch, phone charge, business, and home in the state.

https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2024/09/25/ERCOT_EHV_Infrastructure_Initiative_Update_September_2024_RPG.pdf

https://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/business/permian-basin/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQzsgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3ZmNEZzF2MzR6c0JtYUFDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnkps6Wt6V37FUDYyhRSleo7oKwFHaTbTZJ1Qdyp-xLIMy2M3CcP-NqDsCLQ_aem_O9Kavd7pWp1LYwaeuaF10Q

https://texansforresponsibleinfrastructureinvestment.com/

If you would like to comment on this episode, or any other, reach out to [email protected]

For more than three decades, Janet Holliday has helped shape some of San Antonio’s most memorable moments. As founder of CE Group, she has been behind major civic celebrations, public projects, and events that have defined the city’s growth. In this episode, Janet joins former San Antonio Assistant City Manager Lori Houston to discuss an extraordinary leadership transition as Lori becomes the new owner of CE Group. Together, they reflect on mentorship, entrepreneurship, and why succession planning is about preserving values—not simply passing along a business.

Lori also shares the deeply personal journey that led her to leave a successful 23-year career at City Hall. From overseeing transformative projects like the Museum Reach, downtown development, and Project Marvel to balancing motherhood and public service, she opens up about taking one of the biggest professional risks of her life. The conversation also explores her passion for addressing homelessness, addiction recovery, and building stronger communities through compassionate leadership.

Beyond the business transition, the discussion becomes a thoughtful look at San Antonio’s future. Janet and Lori examine the city’s remarkable evolution, the importance of preserving its unique culture while embracing growth, the future of the Spurs Sports & Entertainment District, downtown development, tourism, and what it will take for San Antonio to compete on the world stage. It’s an inspiring conversation about legacy, leadership, and why the next chapter for both CE Group and San Antonio may be the most exciting yet.

https://www.cegroupinc.net/about/meet-the-team/

This episode kicks off with a brief overview of the evolution and expanded mission of greaterSATX, highlighting the organization’s transition from the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation to a dynamic force serving a 10-county region.

greaterSATX CEO Sarah Carabias Rush drilled into the organization's drive to create and diversify jobs, both by attracting new businesses to the area and retaining existing ones, with an emphasis on collaborative workforce development and regional strategies.

The discussion explored the proactive approach to business development, shifting from a passive reliance on state-generated leads to actively cultivating relationships with site selectors and companies across targeted industry clusters.

Another central topic was the importance of foundational assets such as workforce, available land, water, energy, and transportation infrastructure—especially the ongoing expansion of the San Antonio airport and the region’s forward-thinking water strategy through initiatives like Vista Ridge. Several points were raised, including the challenge of workforce shortages in the trades, efforts to upskill local residents (such as the Ready to Work program), and the impact these have on the area’s competitiveness and attractiveness for corporate headquarters and advanced manufacturing.

The discussion also delved into recent debates about data centers, their energy and water demands, and the need for communities to set thoughtful incentives and requirements for such projects. The region’s strengths in cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and biosciences were emphasized as key differentiators, with the current project pipeline showcasing billions in potential capital investment and thousands of jobs. Ultimately, the episode framed greaterSATX as a collaborative, future-focused organization deeply invested in San Antonio’s growth, competitiveness, and quality of place.

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, Eddie Aldrete sits down with Robert Puente, CEO of San Antonio Water System, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of water in one of America’s fastest-growing cities. Puente explains where San Antonio’s water comes from, how projects like Vista Ridge helped the city survive years of severe drought, and why long-term planning is critical to keeping up with continued growth. The discussion also explores how SAWS uses aquifer storage, desalination, and conservation efforts to secure the region’s water future.

The episode dives into the challenges facing SAWS today, including aging infrastructure, underground leaks, and the need for major upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities. Puente explains why SAWS is seeking a multi-year rate increase, how the utility plans to invest billions into infrastructure improvements, and why he believes San Antonio still maintains some of the lowest water rates among major Texas cities. The San Antonio City Council has the final say with their scheduled vote on June 11th.

The conversation also covers water conservation, data centers, and the changing technology behind modern water use. Puente shares how San Antonio residents are using roughly the same amount of water today as they did 25 years ago despite explosive population growth, thanks to decades of conservation efforts and more efficient appliances. From leak detection technology to underground water storage and recycled water systems, this episode offers an inside look at the innovation, planning, and policy decisions shaping San Antonio’s water future.

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh says his job is personal, because it’s not often that you get to be a city manager for your own hometown. But that’s just a part of the story that comes out of his interview.

In this episode, Manager Walsh updates us on recent city issues, major projects, and leadership transitions. They begin by dissecting the city council's recent debate over the veteran housing voucher ordinance, clarifying the distinction between policy-making and enforcement. Walsh emphasizes that while council sets the direction, city staff execute those decisions, and highlights upcoming adjustments designed to improve access to housing for veterans.

The conversation then shifts to other pressing issues like Project Marvel and the contracts that have been signed to manage the development of the sports and entertainment district. Walsh details the contracts awarded for project management and financial analysis, as well as plans to ensure that event-related costs in the new district do not burden taxpayers. They also discuss progress at San Antonio International Airport, including the resolution of a lawsuit with Southwest Airlines and major improvements to ground transportation and parking facilities.

With city revenues falling below growing expenses, Walsh has the tough job of advising the City Council on what their options are to balance the budget.Cut spending, raise property taxes for the first time in 33 years, or do some combination of them both. The episode concludes with updates on the recruitment of a new police chief, ongoing union contract negotiations, and efforts to respond to recent flooding tragedies through both immediate repairs and long-term planning. Throughout, Walsh provides listeners with a insiders view of the complex decisions and teamwork that keep San Antonio moving.

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with VIA CEO Jon Gary Herrera and VIA Board Chair Laura Cabanilla to discuss major transformations taking place at VIA Transit in San Antonio. The conversation explores how the agency is accelerating service improvements, particularly focusing on increasing bus frequency and redesigning routes to better connect job and education centers in a rapidly growing city. Laura Cabanilla highlights the board’s emphasis on strategic accountability, operational rigor, and fostering a culture shift within the organization to retain and attract talent.

Jon Gary Herrera explains how the agency prioritized hiring new bus operators (drivers) to enable more frequent and reliable service, resulting in record-breaking increased ridership and improved efficiency for current and future VIA customers. The discussion also touches on innovative solutions like VIA Link, an on-demand rideshare-style service tailored for San Antonio’s sprawling geography, and how this model has become a national example for other transit agencies seeking more flexible and cost-effective approaches.

The episode delves into VIA’s pursuit of advanced rapid transit infrastructure, specifically the Green Line and Silver Line projects, and the significance of recent successful federal grants made possible by local voter support for dedicated transportation funding. Aldrete, Cabanilla, and Herrera also unpack the ongoing debate on free fares, agency funding, and San Antonio’s role as an economic driver, emphasizing the importance of customer satisfaction, community partnerships, and sustainable transit solutions to support the city’s growth and future mobility needs.

https://www.viainfo.net/

https://www.viainfo.net/via-team/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauracabanilla/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongaryherrera/

This episode of Beyond the Bite takes listeners inside San Antonio’s annual “SA to DC” trip, where business leaders, elected officials, and community advocates travel to Washington to advocate for the region’s priorities. Guests Kevin Matula of USAA and Krista Piferrer of the First Day Foundation provide a behind-the-scenes look at how a diverse coalition—from large corporations to small business owners and nonprofits—comes together to present a unified voice. With a record-breaking delegation this year, the conversation highlights why showing up in force matters and how collaboration across industry and community sectors strengthens San Antonio’s influence on the national stage.

The discussion explores the dual nature of advocacy—pushing for new opportunities and funding while also protecting existing resources and funding. From military appropriations and infrastructure to housing and nonprofit support, the guests emphasize that much of the work in Washington is about “playing defense” to preserve what the community already has. They also highlight the growing role of entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and nonprofit leaders in these conversations, bringing real-world expertise into policy discussions and helping lawmakers understand how legislation works in practice.

Finally, the episode underscores the importance of relationships and long-term engagement. In a rapidly changing political environment—with congressional turnover, funding uncertainty, and evolving legislative strategies—San Antonio’s leaders must remain adaptable and proactive. Whether it’s building connections with congressional staff, inviting policymakers to experience the city firsthand, or maintaining momentum after the trip ends, the message is clear: effective advocacy doesn’t stop in Washington—it requires consistent follow-up, collaboration, and a compelling story about why San Antonio matters.

Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Metro SA Chamber of Commerce

South Texas Business Partnership

greaterSATX