As ICE raids are planned for the weekend, a so-called “Sanctuary Cities” lawsuit targeting San Antonio loses some steam. We’ll explain. Also, when we talk about Texas politics we always talk red and blue. But what about green? Purple? An effort to get more options on the ballot. And Texas is becoming just the second state to require high school seniors to fill out the form for federal student aid. But the path to accomplishing that is unclear, we’ll look at why. Plus, when most Texans hear the word cricket they think insect, not sports. That might be changing. And it’s Friday: that means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap of the week in Texas politics. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Republican
Texas Standard: July 8, 2019
Texas continues to lead a fight against the Affordable Care Act. We’ll take a look at where things stand now and where a win could leave the state. Plus, battleground 2020… or maybe not. Is Texas really up for grabs as Democrats try to make their mark in Austin and Washington? We’ll explore. And going to the moon: A Texas researcher’s invention tapped to make a trip. Why he says the experience is bringing him full circle. Plus a book about the me too movement that will make you laugh, and reviewers say that’s a good thing. That and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 25, 2019
The President’s deal with Mexico inflated, critics said. But the New York Times among those now crediting Mr.Trump with a change at the border. The White House threat to increase tariffs with Mexico. Did the gambit work? We’ll take a closer look. Also, a conservative firebrand says goodbye to the Texas legislature. Does it say something more about a changing of the guard in Texas politics? Plus, from oil giant to energy superpower: the story of renewables coming of age in the Lone Star State. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 20, 2019
The reddest of red states? No more! Texas’ senior Senator John Cornyn ponders his reelection prospects and issues a warning to the GOP. Abby Livingston of the Texas Tribune on her conversation with the Senate’s 2nd highest ranking Republican and what it means for Texas politics. Also, summers here, but so is a teacher shortage in West Texas. So what happens come September? And Facebook bets on a Bitcoin competitor, should you? Tech expert Omar Gallaga weighs in. That and whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 19, 2019
The President launches his re-election bid. How strong is his support in Texas? Who do Texas Democrats favor in 2020? A new UT-Texas Tribune poll offers an updated snapshot of where Texans stand on a variety of political matters as we head into the next election cycle. We’ll break down the findings. Also some claim that the cycle of boom and bust in oil country is a relic of the past. Is it? We’ll take a closer look. And claims about high maternal mortality rates in Texas: The governor says they’re lying. But what does Politifact say? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 18, 2019
The President promises millions to be deported starting next week as he gets set to launch his reelection campaign. The pledge comes amid record numbers of apprehensions at the border and as he prepares for his first big campaign rally of the 2020 election cycle. Empty politics, or the launch of a major new enforcement action? We’ll explore. Also- the best lawmakers in Texas, and the worst too. In the aftermath of the 86th Legislative session Texas Monthly issues its long awaited biennial rankings. Plus the rest of what’s what this Tuesday and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 17, 2019
Okay, now the legislative session is really over. The veto deadline has passed. What did and didn’t make it off Governor Greg Abbott’s desk? We’ll explore. Also, a dead zone is headed to the Gulf Coast. And it could be one of the biggest on record. How it happens and why it looks so bad. Plus, stuttering is common but you might be surprised how little is known about it. An effort to fix that and educate us all. Also access to healthcare can be difficult for all Texans living in rural parts of the state. So what if you have to go specifically to a VA hospital or clinic? all of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 6, 2019
Citing a crisis, border officials say they will cut off funding for anything not directly necessary for the protection of life and safety in U.S. shelters. Officials tell the operators of resettlement shelters to end English classes, recreation programs and other services because there isn’t the money to pay for it. We’ll take a closer look. Also, concerns about suicide among farmers and a new effort to reach out across rural Texas. Plus, what voting data tells us about just how far to the right and left our own lawmakers really are. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 31, 2019
A 5% tariff on all Mexican imports. What could President Trump’s latest effort to curb immigration do to the Texas economy? We’ll have the latest. Also, it’s a disturbing fact fairly well-known in East Texas, the area has a higher-than-average suicide rate. But what do we know about why? We’ll take a look. Plus, Texas school children got a boost from the latest legislative session. But did that focus take away from efforts to help kids in foster care? We’ll explore. And a Texas farmer is trying something new that’s actually very old. We’ll look at why. And Friday means the Typewriter Rodeo and wrap of the week in Texas Politics. That and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 29, 2019
If another Harvey sized storm hit the Texas coast, could the state’s economy weather the hit ? A warning to Texas officials about the need to do something to protect the Galveston bay before the next so called 500 year storm event, we’ll take a look. Also a plan to get teachers to transfer to low performing schools, how’s it going? Plus how is it that a small texas town of 400 people is bankrolling projects statewide? We’ll explore. And has Texas government debt really risen 40 percent in 5 years? Politifact checks the numbers and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 2, 2019
Reading, writing, and a rush to judgement? Some Texas lawmakers seem somewhat unsettled by a school finance bill racing to the floor of the Senate, we’ll have details. Also, the white puts in a multi billion dollar request for emergency border funds. This time, it’s not about a wall but humanitarian relief. Some in congress are unconvinced. Also the future of ugly food, why your next pet might be virtual, and actor and filmmaker Edward James Olmos is in the studio. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2019
To be or not to be a Senate candidate. Democrats puzzled why an expected challenge to John Cornyn is slow to materialize, we’ll have the latest. Plus, amid what appears to be growing support for gun control efforts in other parts of the U.S., the nation’s biggest gun rights group takes aim against itself? A leadership struggle at the NRA poses one of the most serious threats to the organization in years. And a Texas senator moves to stop publishing the final words of prisoners facing the death sentence. All that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 24, 2019
A Texas democrat enters the race for U.S. senate, facing a 3 term incumbent with a massive war chest. Veteran M.J. Hegar throws her hat into the ring for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn. What are her chances and what does it mean for another much talked about potential challenger? Also, the Dallas D.A. getting pushback from the governor and others over plans not to prosecute some petty thefts. The D.A. says its criminalizing poverty. And one giant leap for legalized hemp in the Lone Star State. All those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 21, 2019
With oil and gas revenues rolling in and the state’s savings account hitting record highs, Texas lawmakers get set to make a record withdrawal. Though the formal name for the fund makes no mention of rainy days, several days of rain back in 2017 will finally hit the Rainy Day Fund rather hard. We’ll hear where the money’s going. Also, If Joaquin Castro moves forward with plans to challenge John Cornyn for his senate seat, who’s in line to try to fill Castro’s shoes? We’ll play musical chairs. Plus why Google wants to play with you, and why it could be a real game changer. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 28, 2019
A key provision of the Texas open meetings act struck down by the state’s highest criminal court. We’ll look at what it means for government transparency. Also, the state’s school librarians read the fine print of a bill to hike teacher salaries, and they’re pushing back. We’ll hear from the state’s top librarian. Plus the timeless voice of tejano superstar Selena. Was it one voice, or two? All those stores and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 26, 2019
A Texas led rebuke for President Trump? Congressman Joaquin Castro tells us how he’s pushing back against the border emergency declaration. Also, military defectors in Venezuela raise the stakes for strongman Nicolas Maduro after days of violence over aid supplies, we’ll have the latest. And Texas Governor Greg Abbott raising millions and millions of dollars, for what exactly? We’ll take a look. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 7, 2019
A new migrant caravan reaches the border with Texas and president Trump puts more boots on the ground, we’ll have the latest. Also, political strategies are adapting to a changing Texas. With all eyes on 2020, is the GOP scared? Or is recent rhetoric simply a plan to turn out the faithful? And from plastic to metal: the switch that could bring 3D printing into a whole new dimension. Also, the artist who consistently delivers billions of views on YouTube, you may remember Gasolina, Dura and Despacito. We’ll look at his formula for success and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: February 4, 2019
A delayed State of the Union finally happens tomorrow, but what of the State of the State? We’ll take a look at what rumblings in the legislature may tell us. Also, no money from Congress for the wall? No problem, say 350 thousand online donors who’ve raised 20 million dollars for private construction. And they’ve been scoping out south Texas for their privately funded wall as well. And naturalized citizens sue over the Texas voter citizenship review. Also, the undocumented? They’re not always who you think they are. Some were born in the U.S.A. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 28, 2019
Another Presidential Tweetstorm, this time with a Texas twist: one suggesting widespread voter fraud. We’ll take a closer look at the claim and the source. Also, a Texas city won national attention for becoming the first to go with 100% renewable electricity. Now some are asking did the city pay too high a price? We’ll take a look. And chaos in Venezuela leading to uncertainty in Texas: we’ll hear why. Also, the Corpus Christi caller times warns: what you don’t know about a particular routine government procedure can hurt you. The paper’s opinion editor explains plus a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Government Shutdown
The ongoing partial government shutdown is causing frustration on both sides of the aisle and causing major problems in the lives of many. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.