Texas Take

Houston Chronicle

Go behind the headlines for a look at what's really going on at the Texas Capitol and in Washington with the state's #1 political podcast: Texas Take. Join the conversation featuring Houston Chronicle/San Antonio Express-News political writer Jeremy Wallace.

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Episodes

Republicans Take Ken Paxton to the Woodshed

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton faced blistering questions this week from some of his fellow Republicans after unilaterally moving $40 million in tax dollars to give out pay raises in his office. Meantime the impeachment trial in Washington drew to a close and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick poured cold water on proposals to expand gambling in the state. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show: https://offers...

Feb 12, 2021•57 min

"Normalcy" Returning to Texas?

In his State of the State Address this week, Gov. Greg Abbott argues "normalcy" is coming back to Texas. But the COVID-19 statistics suggest otherwise. Plus lawmakers in Washington continue to haggle over a new COVID relief package and Ted Cruz can't help but paint himself into a corner with his pop culture references. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=12...

Feb 05, 2021•53 min

Is Texit a Serious Thing? No. And Beto for Governor? Maybe.

As the anger builds among Republicans against the second impeachment of former President Trump, a small group in the Texas GOP wants to start a conversation about secession. Yes, that again. Plus Beto O'Rourke floats the possibility of running against Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022. Hope springs eternal for Texas Democrats. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125...

Jan 29, 2021•46 min

The Democratic President Already Clashing with Texas Republicans

He's just been sworn in this week and Democratic President Joe Biden is already at odds with Texas Republican leaders on a host of issues from immigration to energy. Plus Sen. Ted Cruz faces the wrath of the Lincoln Project and Gov. Greg Abbott snubs Houston's political leadership when hosting a roundtable on COVID vaccine in Houston. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle...

Jan 22, 2021•48 min

President Trump Impeached Again as he Heads to Texas

President Trump was impeached for a second time right as he visited the Texas border for a subdued victory lap for an uncompleted border wall. Meantime, Sen. Ted Cruz faces questions about his role in inciting riots at the Capitol and the Texas Legislature convened under the cloud of the pandemic. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&...

Jan 15, 2021•41 min

Texans at the Center of an Insurrection

As riots unfolded at the US Capitol in Washington, Sen. Ted Cruz and his former top aide Rep. Chip Roy were on opposite sides of the argument fueling the violence. Meantime, Rep. Dan Crenshaw told Jeremy that some of his GOP colleagues who incited the rioters later behaved like "cowards." Plus, a top Texas health official is caught on tape saying the state government has reached the limits of what it can do in the battle against COVID-19. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report...

Jan 07, 2021•53 min

What Kind of Year Has it Been?

Now that the dust has settled from the elections and even Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is admitting President Trump won't be in office come January, it's time to take stock of 2020. We reflect on the year that was. Plus, is there any real shot for casinos in Texas along with legalized pot? Maybe. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=...

Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 10 min

If Ken Paxton Rushes to Trump's Rescue, Will Trump Rush to His?

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, embroiled in his own personal legal troubles, is now rushing to the defense of President Donald Trump in trying to overturn the election results. That's sparked some speculation that Paxton is trying to get a presidential pardon for his alleged crimes. Plus Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick looks to change the rules in the Texas Senate once again so that the number of votes it takes to advance legislation equals the number of GOP senators in the chamber. Connect with Scott ...

Dec 11, 2020•34 min

Texas Reloaded, Except in Georgia

Businesses across DFW are now under new restrictions as COVID-19 cases spike, the mayor of Austin is under the gun after traveling to Mexico while telling people to "stay home," and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, is reloading for a campaign in Georgia. But this time it's his fellow Republicans angry with him for trying to elect GOP senators. Yes, you read that right. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Support the show:...

Dec 04, 2020•38 min

The Ninth Inning of Covid?

Despite rising numbers in cases of coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott insists we're now in the "ninth inning" of the pandemic because therapeutics will be distributed soon in Texas in addition to vaccines that may be available in the near future. Plus, Sen. Ted Cruz absolutely refuses to mask up depending on the situation and Matthew McConaughey toys with running for governor of Texas. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Su...

Nov 19, 2020•33 min

The Stages of Political Grief

Republicans are very slowly coming to grips with President Trump's loss to President-Elect Joe Biden while Texas Democrats are grieving the fact they weren't able to make much progress at all after a much-hyped campaign season. But the GOP takes some solace in Trump's ongoing legal challenges while Democrats here can take pride in an ever-growing Blue Spine of Texas as first reported by Jeremy. Connect with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jerem...

Nov 12, 2020•48 min

Texas has spoken — what now?

As the vote counting battle rages on in the battleground states, the national election returns leave us with more questions than answers, especially in the presidential contest. But, Texas has spoken and voters have delivered some answers — President Trump took Texas by a big-enough margin and the GOP remains in control of all statewide offices and both houses of the legislature. Scott Braddock of The Quorum Report hosts this morning-after discussion with Houston Chronicle staffers: political wr...

Nov 04, 2020•55 min

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