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

On the June 15 episode, former Congressman Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat, tells ITP that he is close to making a decision on whether to run for U.S. Senate. But what would be different about a 2026 campaign than the one he ran last year against Ted Cruz? Plus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick defends the legislature's THC ban as Gov. Abbott faces political pressure to veto it this week. Patrick also reveals two more issues he wants lawmakers to tackle - to make Texas more affordable. And colleagues called her relentless in the legislature. State Rep. Aicha Davis - a freshman and a Democrat - got 15 bills passed – 11 going to the governor.

Guests

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick / R-Texas

Former U.S. Congressman Colin Allred / D-Dallas

State Rep. Aicha Davis / D-DeSoto

There’s a lot in play politically as we go into the summer. Will the legislature’s THC ban become law or get vetoed this month? Will Texas lawmakers come back for a special session next month at the request of President Trump? Every Texas legislature has gotten more conservative than the past. In this episode, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discusses his priorities that passed, pushback and what he’s coming back for next session.

GUEST:

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Texas

Now that the 89th Texas Legislative Session is over in Texas, the Y’all-itics team decided to revisit a report that ranked the Lone Star State DEAD LAST in personal freedom. In this rewind episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons were joined by Dr. William Ruger, a Texas native himself, who prepares the “Freedom in the 50 States” report for the Cato Institute. This episode originally aired on January 7, 2024.

“Freedom in the 50 States” 2023 report| Cato Institute: https://www.freedominthe50states.org/

Guest

William Ruger, CATO Institute