President Donald Trump wants Republicans to gain five additional Congressional seats in Texas. And it appears the GOP will stop at nothing to carve out those seats for him, a battle that will rage during the special legislative session that begins July 21. In this episode of Y’all-itics, our insiders discuss the risk associated with a mid-decade redraw and which lawmakers might be left without a seat once the music stops in this game of political musical chairs.

Guests

Abby Livingston, Puck Reporter

Alfredo Rodriguez III, Founder/President Dyce Communications

On this episode, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt lays out one idea to keep Texans safe during flash floods, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher takes questions on Democratic options in the upcoming redistricting, and state Sen. Nathan Johnson on his campaign for Texas Attorney General.

In the July 13 episode, State Rep. Mihaela Plesa explains why she’s concerned about the expanded special session. Renowned Texas meteorologist Troy Kimmel has a candid conversation about forecasters’ role leading up to the deadly Texas flooding. And Congressman Keith Self on why he voted for the tax and spending bill despite criticizing it up until the very end.

Guests

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-District 70

Troy Kimmel, Texas Meteorologist

U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-3rd District

Still reeling from the catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country, state and local leaders are scrambling to come with a plan to prevent it from ever happening again. That starts with an examination of what went wrong. In this early release episode of Y’all-itics, we discuss the next steps. Renowned meteorologist Troy Kimmel has a candid conversation about the forecast preceding the deadly flooding, and the warnings that followed. And WFAA anchor Chris Lawrence explains what he saw firsthand on the ground, and the spirit of Texans helping Texans.

Guests

Troy Kimmel, Texas Meteorologist

Chris Lawrence, WFAA Anchor

Estimates show Texas needs an extra 300,000+ housing units. To spur construction, the state just took away significant regulatory power from Texas cities. The passage of SB 840 will make it much easier for developers to bypass local restrictions and neighborhood objections when they create new housing out of empty office buildings, dying malls, or land that had been off-limits for residential construction. How will cities respond? And what's about to happen in your neighborhood? An apartment developer and an expert in urban economics & growth predict what comes next.

Guests

Barrett Linburg, Co-Founder/Savoy Equity Partners

Cullum Clark, Ph.D., Director/Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative

In the June 29 episode, state Rep. Gene Wu questions why Texas would treat marijuana different than any other controlled substance. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales explains how a south Texas facility producing sterile flies will help protect Texas livestock. And Fort Bend County Judge KP George tells us why he thinks he has a path to victory after his controversial switch from Democrat to Republican.

Guests

State Rep. Gene Wu, D-District 137

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-23rd District

KP George, R- Fort Bend County Judge

In the July 6 episode, Attorney Aaron Reitz explains why he’s running for Attorney General. Former state Senator Don Huffines tells us why he wants to be Texas Comptroller. And former Houston Mayor Annise Parker on why she wants to return to office after nearly a decade.

Guests

Aaron Reitz, (R) Candidate for Attorney General

Don Huffines, (R) Candidate for Texas Comptroller

Annise Parker, (D) Candidate for Harris County Judge

After six months of tumultuous change inside Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, from eliminating bag fees and open seating to talk of European flights and partnerships with other international carriers, CEO Bob Jordan promised the airline would keep evolving. “We won't stop here,” Jordan told the Jasons on this episode, “we're gonna keep changing."

GUEST:

Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines CEO

In the June 22 episode, Kelly Hancock explains the political calculation behind leaving the Texas Senate for the Comptroller’s office. State Rep. Mitch Little, R-District 65, tells us why he supports a major redistricting effort and whether he’s running for Attorney General. And Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, R-24th District, on where she stands on Iran and how she’s helping Texans find jobs.

EARLY RELEASE: You might not know his name and likely have trouble pronouncing it, but you’d better get to know Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. He has led some landmark legal cases from college sports to concert tickets. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court just ruled in his favor with a precedent setting decision that bans gender affirming care for minors. In a recent trip to Texas, Skrmetti stopped by the Y’all-itics studio to see the Jasons, defend his work and make a ruling on Texas or Tennessee BBQ.

Guest:

Jonathan Skrmetti / Tennessee Attorney General