Huge turnout, long lines, not enough voting machines; Super Tuesday in Texas didn’t quite turnout as planned. Why? The turnout! It’s a good problem to have in a state that is often called a non-voting one. Joining the Jasons for political context on this bonus episode is Deborah Peoples, the chairwoman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, Vinny Minchillo, a principal at Glass House Strategy advertising firm, Alana Rocha of the Texas Tribune and Berna Dean Steptoe, political producer at WFAA in Dallas. Does the large turnout suggest Texas really is in play? We cracked a beer and started around the room for some completely different perspectives.

The Jasons discuss the FACTS surrounding COVID-19 and preparations in Texas. They start their conversation with former WFAA-TV reporter Jonathan Betz, who now lives in Beijing, China and is currently under quarantine. To say Jonathan is feeling isolated is understatement. But he’s still getting his deliveries, which is an interesting part of life in Beijing. The Jasons then visit with Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins who talks about the lessons learned during the Ebola scare in 2014. The Judge says there was no outbreak blueprint prior to Ebola. But now we are ahead of the game because we have plans in place to deal with outbreaks, thanks to the 2014 scare. Transparency is key, the Judge says, in keeping the public calm. He says so far, the state is doing everything it needs to do to protect its citizens.

And throughout the podcast, you’ll hear from Dr. Clinton Haley, an infectious disease expert in Dallas, including what he is telling his own family about COVID-19.

Links:

CDC COVID-19

Texas Health & Human Services COVID-19

North Texas Infectious Diseases Consultants

It costs too much. And it’s too complicated. According to a great many voters in 2020, that is the only way to describe our modern health care system. And this is driving their decision-making at the polls. The Jasons jump straight into the deep end in this episode of Y’all-itics, pouring a pint with the CEO of The Texas Academy of Family Physicians in the Medical District. Tom Banning says we have an amazing “sick care” system in America, but “health care” is broken. And he says a fundamental question that must be answered in is whether we think health care is a right or a commodity. If you’re like a growing number of Texans, you are underinsured. That is, you have insurance, but can’t afford to use it. So, the Jasons also wanted to know if there’s a way for Texas consumers to cut their health care costs without having to wait for the politicians (there is). And a random surprise guest helped to prove this point.

More Info:

Texas Academy of Family Physicians

Trends in Texas Health Care Costs

The Commonwealth Fund

The Jasons take a road trip to Austin to pour a pint with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.  They chose Shiner, of course.  And you have likely never heard the Attorney General like this.  Mr. Paxton says he now has less confidence in the criminal justice system.  He thinks 3 syllable names win elections.  He’s not afraid of the color Purple.  And he shares his thoughts whether he thinks the President has broken any laws.  Oh yeah… and he’s suing the state of California.  Buckle up for the ride.

Have a question about Super Tuesday?  The candidates?  How about an issue? 

Call (214) 509-8156

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Link to SCOTUS filing against California…

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22O153/132447/20200210120117146_Texas%20v.%20California%20Motion%20for%20Leave%20to%20File.pdf

The Latino community in Texas has long been described as a sleeping giant, an electorate with the potential to swing our politics and policies. But based on U.S. Census data, that giant is in a deep sleep.

See the original story here

The Jolt Initiative

Follow Teresa Woodard on twitter

SYNOPSIS:

Election 2020 is already off to a wild start. The Iowa Democratic Party couldn’t report an accurate count of vote totals on caucus night. So, disappointed Democrats boarded planes and flew to New Hampshire without knowing who won this famed first contest. The screwup raises the question of whether the caucuses matter anymore. The Jasons were in Iowa to witness all the confusion firsthand and stayed up late to publish this episode on time. They poured a pint with Rick Klein, ABC News’ Political Director, to talk about what happens next for the candidates, who survives until Super Tuesday and what about the billionaire who is poised to jump in just as Texans have their say. The Jasons finished up the road trip with a quick drive up I-35 North to Dallas County. Dallas County, Iowa…that is where one Democratic party official says he might have to vote for the candidate he calls the ‘Democrat Trump.’”

 GUESTS:

Rick Klein / ABC News Political Director & co-host of the Powerhouse Politics podcast

Mike Kern / Dallas County, Iowa

LINKS:

Rick Klein biography:

Powerhouse Politics podcast:

Iowa Democratic Party:

Under-counting the census by 1% could cost Texas $300 million a year. In Rio Grande City, former Mayor Reuben Villareal estimates the 2010 census was under-counted by 15-20% in his city, alone. Despite this year’s census not having a citizenship question, Villareal expects the expensive silence to be deafening in border communities where rhetoric about immigration, the wall, and deportations has created a chilling effect for the legally-required survey that not only determines how many representatives Texas gets in Congress, but also the state’s share of federal funding and the drawing of legislative districts.

PODCAST GUESTS:

Reuben Villareal, former mayor of Rio Grande City / Reuben’s Twitter account 

Luis Figueroa, Center for Public Policy Priorities / Luis’s Twitter account

WEBSITE LINKS:

What is the US Census?

The 2020 Census is underway

How the 2020 Census will invite you to respond

What happened outside Amarillo made national news, turned out to be a little embarrassing for the state and highlighted a problem facing law enforcement in Texas today. Hemp is legal. Marijuana is not. But the plants look and smell exactly alike. In Amarillo this month, prosecutors had to drop charges after lab tests showed 3,300 pounds of ‘marijuana’ that a man was stopped with was actually ‘hemp.’ But this case isn’t isolated. The Amarillo attorney who represented that driver laid out the wider problem that many of his clients are faced with. In addition, Allen, Texas Police Chief Brian Harvey revealed that the state is just a couple months away from being able to differentiate between the legal and illegal versions of the cannabis plant. What’s best, the Jasons found a draft beer that actually matches this topic.

WEBSITE LINKS:

Texas dismisses charges against man for trucking hemp

Adam Tisdell

Chief Brian Harvey:

Texas Police Chief Association:

He calls himself the Desert Diplomat. Few Texans have as clear of an understanding of what’s happening in the Middle East as Robert Jordan. The SMU professor is a former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and sat down to have a pint with the Jasons. Turns out, it’s not just Iran we should be wary of these days. Keep your eye on Saudi Arabia. It’s really a frenemy of ours, Jordan said. This Texan succinctly explains why we can’t quit the kingdom as we face down Iran and Iraq.

WEBSITE LINKS:

Robert Jordan website

Robert Jordan’s SMU biography

A small-town Texas police chief said something recently that caught the attention of the Jasons. Immigration rhetoric is making our communities less safe, he wrote in an op-ed. Make no mistake, this lawman isn’t taking sides. He’s advocating for keeping all criminals off the streets – regardless of their immigration status. You might know some of it. That fiery rhetoric drives undocumented immigrants into the shadows. Criminals then prey on those immigrants because these folks are less likely to call police. But here’s where the chief connected the dots for the Jasons. What if an undocumented immigrant witnesses a crime against you but is too afraid to come forward? These aren’t just scenarios. This is happening in Texas today, the chief says.