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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

Crashin' and Burnin'

The dysfunction at the Texas Capitol has become so intense that a Republican Legislature might not be able to send a "border security" bill to a Republican Governor. The governor's school voucher legislation is dead for now. Plus, Jeremy reports from Donald Trump's rally in Houston. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Nov 04, 20231 hr 7 min

Shut Up and Sit Down

Latino Democrats in the Texas House felt like they were told to "sit down and shut up" as they tried to push back on a sweeping state immigration crackdown that will impact people in their communities, whether documented or not. Plus, GOP infighting may lead to the end of a legacy project of former President George W. Bush: The fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn m...

Oct 27, 20231 hr

A "Serious Blunder"

The running feud between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan exploded this week with Phelan asking Patrick to give up millions of dollars now tied to an anti-Semitic white nationalist and Patrick saying Phelan should resign. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 13, 20231 hr 4 min

If At First You Don't Succeed, Change the Subject

Under pressure from Fox News hosts and GOP activists, Gov. Abbott is making some changes to his plans for an upcoming special session that was going to be exclusively focused on school vouchers. Now he's adding immigration to the mix. Plus, Jeremy has a report on living conditions for our military that should make you sick. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

Sep 29, 20231 hr 11 min

If at First You Don't Succeed, Threaten Everyone

Now that the smoke is starting to clear from the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott is already promising to summon lawmakers to Austin again for another special session. This time, his pet project of school vouchers is the topic. Plus, Paxton's revenge tour has begun. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 22, 20231 hr 18 min

All Out War

The end of the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton seems to be the beginning of a new chapter in the Texas GOP's civil war. Plus, Gov. Abbott blasts the Castro brothers over the border and DC Republicans fight each other about a possible government shutdown. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 17, 20231 hr

The People's Court?

The historic impeachment trial of Texas AG Ken Paxton is, well frankly, putting some senators to sleep. But that doesn't make the allegations against Paxton less serious. We'll get into that plus an update on the floating border wall and a legendary Mexican rock band pays tribute to one of the victims of the Uvalde massacre. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

Sep 08, 202353 min

Law And Order

With the impeachment trial of AG Ken Paxton starting next week while court battles play out in Texas over hot issues like the border and LGBTQ rights, Jeremy says we should just call this episode "Law and Order." Done. Plus, has Sen. Ted Cruz gotten any better at just acting like a normal person? We'll check on that for you. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

Sep 01, 20231 hr 2 min

Here Comes MAGA

Steve Bannon is promising to make some Texas GOP State Senators "famous" and go to war with them in primaries if they vote to remove Attorney General Ken Paxton. But does Bannon know Texas GOP voters better than former Gov. Rick Perry, who's now defending the impeachment? Plus: An update on the floating border wall and a tribute to a Texas politics legend who we lost recently. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy W...

Aug 25, 20231 hr 5 min

Burner Phones and a Fake Uber Account

The prosecutors in the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are starting to reveal some of what they hope to present in the trial, including evidence of Paxton using burner phones and an Uber account using a fake name as ways to conceal his alleged extramarital affair. Plus, a Texas congressman is wrestled to the ground at a rodeo by police in Amarillo. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Lea...

Aug 18, 20231 hr 8 min

Unsettled and Unsettling

With so much unsettled at the Texas Capitol, including the impeachment of AG Paxton and the fight over school funding and school vouchers, the politics of the state are reaching a boiling point. Meanwhile, Jeremy headed down to Eagle Pass, where Democrats confronted state police over "border security" tactics on the Rio Grande. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Aug 12, 20231 hr

"Un-American"

The fight over Texas "border security" operations intensifies this week with Vice President Kamala Harris saying the Abbott Administration is acting in an "un-American" way. Abbott meanwhile is saying he'll happily see the DOJ in court after the feds moved forward with a federal lawsuit. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 28, 202358 min

The White House Strikes Back at Texas Over the Border

Following reporting by the Houston Chronicle on the treatment of migrants at the Texas-Mexico border, the Department of Justice on Friday said they'll sue the Abbott Administration over the state's "security" measures along the Rio Grande. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 22, 20231 hr 1 min

A Perfect Day for the Legislature to Go Away

After a 7 month standoff, Republican leadership in Austin finally settled on their plan to offer property tax relief to Texans. Plus, Jeremy reports from the border on the fact that Texas' security efforts are often actually just getting in the way of Border Patrol. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jul 14, 20231 hr 17 min

Forget Iowa. Texas is Becoming the First Stop for the GOP Nomination

Increasingly, GOP candidates for the White House have a crucial first stop on their way to the nomination and it isn't the Iowa State Fair. It's Eagle Pass, Texas. Plus, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel in the property tax stalemate in Austin. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jun 30, 20231 hr 15 min

A Big Nothingburger

Amid a stalemate on property taxes, Gov. Abbott clashes with Lt. Gov. Patrick in a way that we've never seen before. Plus, Sen. Angela Paxton is not allowed to vote on the impeachment of her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton but she will be there for the trial in the Senate. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jun 23, 20231 hr 6 min

Ten Times Worse Than You've Heard

Texas House impeachment managers are turning to legendary Houston defense attorneys to prosecute the case against Attorney General Ken Paxton. But how will the trial in the Senate be handled? Plus, it takes a special level of incompetence for Republicans to have a record budget surplus and fail to come up with a tax cut plan. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Jun 02, 20231 hr 8 min

Where There's Smoke...

It's history in the making this week as the GOP-led Texas House moves toward impeaching Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for multiple alleged crimes and abuse of office over the better part of a decade. Plus, we reflect on the lives lost and the still unanswered questions one year after the massacre in Uvalde. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

May 26, 20231 hr 18 min

A Top Texas Republican Says Trump's Time Has Passed

The elder statesman of the Texas GOP, Sen. John Cornyn, this week said former President Donald Trump's "time has passed," and it's time for Republicans to find someone else to run for the White House. Meantime at the Texas Capitol: Fights about transgender athletes, DEI, guns, and more as time runs out in the session. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

May 19, 20231 hr 16 min

A Mass Shooting Every Week

With a mass shooting each week in Texas, leaders are largely now skipping right past "thoughts and prayers" and talking about other stuff like the border. Plus, Latino Democrats in the Texas House beat back a proposal to form a "civilian border protection unit." Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

May 13, 20231 hr

Threats Real and Imagined

While the Texas Legislature takes aim at "gender modification" of children, which Republican officeholders say is "genital mutilation" and "slaughter," lawmakers are largely turning a blind eye toward the actual slaughter of children. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

May 07, 20231 hr 20 min

Dissenting Voices

In a week of pushing back on the majority at the Texas Capitol in Austin, there were those who ran into brick walls and others who found some success. From gun legislation to a proposal to ban certain people from legally purchasing Texas real estate, the results of the dissenters were mixed. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 29, 20231 hr 8 min

Dolla Dolla Bills, Y'all

Lt. Gov. Patrick, waving cash at the TV camera like Mattress Mack in Houston, is promising Texans that his tax plan will save them more money than Speaker Dade Phelan's blueprint. Plus Gov. Greg Abbott is now saying teachers in Texas public schools are teaching kids to hate America. What? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 22, 20231 hr 11 min

Texas Gov. Tucker Carlson?

With Gov. Greg Abbott once again being jerked around by Fox News Host Tucker Carlson, even some Republicans this week are privately asking "who really runs Texas?" Plus, an immigration debate gets hot at the Capitol and school vouchers hit a brick wall in the Texas House of Representatives. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 15, 20231 hr 11 min

Darker Than American Carnage

With an indictment looming over his head, former President Donald Trump rallied the faithful in Waco on the anniversary of the 1993 siege that's been an organizing principle for conspiracy theorists for decades. Jeremy was on the scene and gives us a sense of what it was really like. Plus, veteran Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee shakes up the race for Mayor of Houston. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace ...

Mar 31, 20231 hr 9 min

A Threat to Friday Night Lights

Gov. Greg Abbott is finally acknowledging that rural Texans are concerned that his push for school vouchers threatens a big part of their way of life: High school football. Plus, what's the consequence of trying to ban certain books in school libraries and criminalize librarians? Then Jeremy takes us on a trip back to the 1980s. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...

Mar 24, 20231 hr 11 min

Steamrolling the Minority

The controversy over DEI erupted at the Texas Capitol this week as Republicans moved to ban tax dollars from being spent on such programs. Plus, the state is moving to take over the Houston school district and local leaders are outraged. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 17, 20231 hr 20 min

"Where Woke Goes to Die." Really?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a swing through Texas this weekend in Houston and Dallas, arguing that his state and this one are where "woke goes to die." Don't roll your eyes too hard. Plus, Gov. Abbott is really pushing his school voucher proposal now but he seems to be missing the mark with the folks he actually needs to convince. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Mar 04, 202351 min

It's All About Priorities

Now that the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker have shared some of their priorities, the legislative session is finally starting to take shape. But the speaker is the one playing his cards closest to the vest. Plus, Gov. Abbott rails against transgender athletes in collegiate sports and Sen. Cruz keeps his options open when it comes to running for president. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace . L...

Feb 25, 202355 min

Oh, So Vouchers Will Just Mean Fewer Teachers? Cool, Cool.

Just as Gov. Greg Abbott gave his State of the State Address stressing "school choice," one of his top education officials admitted in a recorded phone call that a school voucher program would mean there would be fewer teachers in Texas public schools. Plus, Texas Republicans are now taking aim at GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton's proposed settlement with former employees who accused him of corruption. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock , editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle...

Feb 18, 20231 hr 1 min
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