Y'all-itics

There are nearly 29-million Texans.  But as of January 25, 2021, after a month of distribution, fewer than 1.5 Million of those Texans have received a single dose of the vaccine.  Only 266,000 Texans have received both doses.  At that rate, it would take nearly two years for Texans just to get one dose and nearly five years for all Texans to be fully vaccinated.  If the vaccine was developed in record time, one Texas lawmaker wants to know why the state’s distribution plan wasn’t ready.  And he tells the Jasons why he thinks we’re out of time.  But in the middle of a situation that is only seemingly getting worse, there is some hope… a bright spot in the Texas panhandle after a call that surprised the Jasons.

**WARNING:  THIS PODCAST CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

Let the warning above be your preview as to what the Lincoln Project now thinks about Senator Ted Cruz.  In this episode of Y’all-itics, co-founder Rick Wilson joins the Jasons to talk about how the group is now actively working against the Texas Republican.  The group says Sen. Cruz is part of the “sedition caucus” and his words and actions helped contribute to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.  And Wilson thinks a third party will be born out of the schism inside the GOP.  If you normally listen to our podcast with your children, we warn again, there are R-rated words.

**Sen. Ted Cruz declined to join this episode of Y’all-itics but has a standing invitation to respond

Even though this will be the pandemic session, other business will be on the table during the 87th Texas Legislature.  And is there a bigger complaint here in Texas than ridiculously high property taxes?  But what if we told you there might be a way to cut those bills in half?  Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley says it’s not going to be easy, but it can be done if lawmakers have the will.  In this episode of Y’all-itics, he presents his plan to the Jasons, who were certainly left smiling, thinking about the possibilities.  And state Senator Nathan Johnson talks about the other legislative priorities over the next 140-days.  But about those property taxes…

Who Represents me?

That escalated quickly.  Following the insurrection at the Capitol, calls are growing for President Trump to possibly be removed from office by the 25th Amendment, an action unthinkable as recently as

48-hours ago.  But what is the 25th and how does it work?  In this emergency episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons go to law school with Stephen Vladeck from the University of Texas School of Law, a nationally recognized expert on constitutional law.  And as it turns out, the 25th isn’t the only mechanism lawmakers could use to remove a sitting President. 

Steve Vladeck

Bio:  Stephen I Vladeck | Faculty | Texas Law (utexas.edu)

On January 6, 2021, members of the Senate and House will meet to formally count the Electoral College votes for President.  While there have been some objections in years past, 2021 will be different. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wants an independent commission appointed to audit the results of the election. The political gambit by some Republican Senators and Representatives to object to the certification of Biden’s win has further divided the GOP. One of the Republican Party’s most prolific fundraisers says it all makes her want to just crawl into a hole. In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons talk to Nancy Bocskor who’s been called a “Democracy Coach” around the world and has fundraising figures with many, many zeroes for Republicans over the years. And James Dickey, the former Chair of the Republican Party of Texas, explains why he thinks the GOP will thrive in the future.

The Nancy Bocskor Company

Coming from a family that is one of the most well-known real estate developers in the state, Trammell S. Crow set out to build something of his own. Crow founded EarthX which the organization bills as “The largest annual exposition and forum showcasing initiatives, research, innovations, policies and corporate practices serving the environment”.

EarthX

The statistic was startling. Twenty percent of all banks in Dallas County exclude all or parts of Southern Dallas. That means mortgages, business loans and access remain out of reach for many families and businesses south of Interstate 30. Problem is, this simply perpetuates the racial wealth gap. In this episode, the Jasons speak with two of the WFAA journalists who worked on this investigation and get a U.S. congressman on the line to explain what he thinks Washington needs to do next.

Watch Banking Below 30

The long, dark COVID winter experts have warned about is upon us.  But there’s also some light at the end of the tunnel, albeit faint and distant.  One drug manufacturer has already applied to the FDA for approval for its COVID-19 vaccine. Another company is close behind.  And the U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary says both could be available to some Americans before Christmas.  That got the Jasons thinking… can your boss force you to get a COVID-19 Vaccine?  So they turned to Sarah Mitchell Montgomery, a partner at Jackson Walker law firm who specializes in employment law.  She says there’s a short answer, with some caveats.  And she’ll tell you why she foresees a coming spike in COVID-related litigation.

Sarah Mitchell Montgomery

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? An executive in shipping says he and his family are done because he’s worried the supply chain is too stressed and some gifts simply might not make it to you in time if you don’t buy soon. But the stressed supply chain is creating opportunity for thousands of Texans. Insiders give the Jasons a revealing look at how this already unusual year continues to live up to its reputation.

As Y’all-itics prepares to celebrate its one-year anniversary, the Jasons go back to the beginning in an effort to see what a Biden-Harris administration might mean for the black community.  In our 3rd episode, we asked the founder and CEO of Black Women’s PAC why politicians ignore black women.  Now, one-year and 61 episodes later, Tracy Scott is back, and she says she’s more determined than ever.  Black women helped put the Biden-Harris Ticket over-the-top.  But now, they’re expecting results.   The Jasons are also joined by WFAA Political Producer Berna Dean Steptoe.  And both guests say the black community in general, and black women in particular, will not be ignored any more.

Editor’s Note: ZIP code 76104 near downtown Fort Worth is an historically Black area where life expectancy is 66.7 years – 12 years below the national average — not 55 years as stated in this episode