Texas Take

Texas Republicans this week moved to ban some foreigners from owning land in this state, sparking an emotional and lengthy debate about a crackdown on immigrants that still won't help many GOP lawmakers avoid nasty primary challenges. Plus, Gov. Abbott says his signature school voucher initiative is a huge win for families and a "promise kept" from his campaign. We'll spell out the facts on that. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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This week a legendary Texas conservative, former Sen. Phil Gramm, told Jeremy that President Trump's tariffs aren't just hurting Texans and all Americans, but he also called them "political poison." Check out the exclusive interview. Plus, Texas lawmakers got into knockdown dragout fights about "furries," ESG, and more. And the race for US Senate from Texas still doesn't seem to be fully formed. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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With the help of President Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott has successfully bullied Texas Republican lawmakers into passing his signature policy initiative of school vouchers. So, with roughly 6 weeks to go in the legislative session, what will they argue about now at the Texas Capitol? Plenty including abortion, immigration, voting rights, and more. We'll break it down. Plus, Jeremy's got his up and down of the week and Scott institutes a swear jar for the show. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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With last-minute help from President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott pushed his signature policy goal of school vouchers across the finish line in the Texas House. We've got all the tea on how it really went down. Plus: Why did lawmakers break into a knockdown dragout fight about honoring a dead Texan this week? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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Democrats and others slammed Sen. Ted Cruz again this week for the "Cruz Curse" after the University of Houston lost the national championship men's basketball game in San Antonio with Cruz in attendance. Cruz keeps showing up to support Texas teams - and it doesn't work out - but he won't show up for Sen. John Cornyn in his primary against Texas AG Ken Paxton. Plus: A marathon debate in the Texas House provides one of the first tests for its new leadership. We were up for that all night so now you have to hear about it. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is on a crusade to ban all THC products while he teams up with a movie star whose career was launched by a film about teenage stoners in Texas. What are Patrick and Matthew McConaughey fighting against conservatives about? Meanwhile, the Texas Senate moved to ban soda and chips from food benefits for poor people. And Jeremy reports that Greg Abbott bragged this week about taking a call from Elon Musk while the governor was supposed to be on a Valentine's date with his wife. What? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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The Democrats are struggling now - not just to find a message but they're looking for a leader to deliver it. We'll tell you about their starting lineup just as baseball season gets underway. Plus, stunning testimony in the Texas House leads to the swift firing of the CEO of an insurance company that admitted to spying on patients, legislators, and at least one journalist. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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Some top Texas Republicans now acknowledge that women are suffering and dying as a result of the state's strict abortion crackdown. They say it needs to be fixed. But where is Gov. Abbott on this? Plus: We debut a diss track against a school voucher pusher and Texas Democrats are about to choose a new chairman leading into the next election. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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A 20-hour Texas House hearing this week on school vouchers showcased some arguments you may have never heard before about this and proved Gov. Greg Abbott's signature initiative is still very controversial even among Republicans. I stayed up all day and night for it. We also have the exclusive audio, captured by reporter Ben Wermund, of Gov. Abbott pointing to "furries" as a reason for parents to have access to your tax dollars to send their kids to private schools. Plus, Jeremy has the lowdown on which Republicans may be gearing up to challenge Sen. John Cornyn next year. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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A measles outbreak in Texas. In 2025? Yup. And somehow RFK Jr. is quicker to respond than Gov. Greg Abbott. We'll get into that plus some Texas House Republicans face anger in their communities over Abbott's school voucher plan. And a Houston political giant passed away this week. We've got a tribute to Sly Turner. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

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