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ENside Politics

ENside Politics
Author: San Antonio Express-News
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© Copyright San Antonio Express-News
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A weekly podcast that breaks down how politics works, and often doesn't work, in San Antonio. Metro Editor Greg Jefferson and Express-News reporters question politicians and other newsmakers about what they're up to in our name.
197 Episodes
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Pollster Brannon Miller, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson discuss the campaign for tax dollars for a Spurs arena, why Gov. Greg Abbott has spooked big-name Democratic challengers and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' first 100 days.
Suggested reading:
Why Texas Democrats aren't lining up to take on Greg Abbott in the midterms
Sources: Ron Nirenberg weighing run for governor or county judge
What is Bexar County getting for helping the Spurs pay for an arena?
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City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith join host Greg Jefferson to talk about the confusion that is the city's new animal abandonment law, the on and on and ongoing fight between Mayor Jones and City Council, and Ron Nirenberg's political future.
Suggested reading:
Confusion follows passage of San Antonio's animal abandonment law
The battle between Mayor Jones and City Council over policymaking continues
Sources: Ron Nirenberg weighing run for governor or county judge
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City Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito, City Hall reporter Megan Rodriguez and host Greg Jefferson talk about an ordinance to penalize the abandonment of unwanted pets, council members' tense relationship with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, and more.
Suggested reading:
Mayor Jones renews fight with City Council members over policymaking
City Council members force pet abandonment vote that Mayor Jones stalled
COPS/Metro ramps up effort to get voters to nix Spurs arena deal
Spurs launch campaign to convince voters to say yes to arena money
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District 4 Councilman Edward Mungia, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson talk about the opposition to public financing for a Spurs arena, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' hard-edged tactics and what comes next for Project Marvel.
Suggested reading:
Could there be two Spurs arena elections? Mayor Jones floats the possibility.
Mayor Jones crashes pro-Project Marvel rally ahead of decisive meeting
City creates homeless services department as more live on streets, in shelters
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Political consultant Laura Barberena, reporter Megan Rodriguez and host Greg Jefferson discuss the highs and lows of Jones' handling of a looming vote on a Spurs arena and her push to unilaterally change how City Council makes policy.
Suggested reading:
Clashing with Council: Inside Mayor Jones’ rocky first two months at City Hall
Spurs arena showdown: San Antonio council to vote on term sheet this week
Video: Councilwoman Meza Gonzalez sways, slurs words in DWI arrest
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The West Side councilwoman thinks a city-ordered economic analysis of Project Marvel is tainted — the consultant is owned by a company whose main backer is Spurs investor Sixth Street Partners — and has to be redone before the City Council decides whether to make a deal with the NBA franchise and Bexar County.
Suggested reading:
Mayor wants to pause Project Marvel plans — but City Council majority resists
As Spurs eye downtown arena, county asks voters to help pay the bill
Brawl over Mayor Jones' policymaking changes takes center stage at City Hall
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Political consultant Andrew Solano, reporter Madison Iszler and host Greg Jefferson talk about Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' push to drive a harder bargain with the Spurs. Also, will the team's commitment to spend $500M on arena construction make public financing to pay the rest of the bill an easier sell at the polls?
Suggested reading:
Watch: Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez arrested on DWI charge
San Antonio Spurs commit $1B-plus for planned arena, entertainment district
‘Respect for the institution’: Mayor Jones shakes up City Hall etiquette, protocols
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Political consultant Laura Barberena, City Hall reporter Megan Rodriguez and host Greg Jefferson discuss Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' first month in office and her apparent love of rules.
Suggested reading:
Mayor: Losses from feared Army command merger could be ‘negligible’
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones names new chief of staff
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro may run for Senate. Will it be a crowded race?
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Tech reporter Brandon Lingle and host Greg Jefferson discuss Port San Antonio's plan to land the Air Force cyber command, the Air Force One debacle in San Antonio and SpaceX's new company town in South Texas.
Suggested reading:
Boeing can't hire, keep enough mechanics for Air Force One work in San Antonio
Starbase lockdown: SpaceX city blocks public roads, raising legal questions
Port San Antonio snubbed: Abbott vetoes $50M for military cyber campus
UTSA was key to Abbott’s Texas Cyber Command pitch. So why was it cut from the bill?
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Democratic pollster Brannon Miller, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson discuss next year's race for the U.S. Senate, the upcoming campaign for public dollars for a Spurs arena, and more.
Suggested reading:
County moves forward with arena plan, despite lack of Spurs details
Once Texas GOP’s ‘weak link,’ Attorney General Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerful
Despite late scare, Jones easily won mayor’s race because of party politics
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Bexar County Commissioner Just in Rodriguez talks with host Greg Jefferson and reporters Madison Iszler and Brooke Park about the likelihood of a November venue tax election, political jockeying at the Bexar County Courthouse, and more.
Suggested reading:
County moves forward with arena plan, despite lack of Spurs details
County tax election for Spurs arena won't happen without more information
District Attorney Joe Gonzales will not seek reelection
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Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith discuss how Jones skated past Rolando Pablos on election night and the several big problems she'll have to confront as soon as she takes office — including a $31 million budget deficit.
Suggested reading:
Mayor-elect Gina Ortiz Jones spends post-election morning with Mayor Nirenberg
Galvan, Meza Gonzalez and Spears win Districts 6, 8 and 9
How did your San Antonio neighborhood vote in the runoff? Search our map.
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Host Greg Jefferson, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and Andrew Solano, campaign manager for Beto Altamirano, discuss the Gina Ortiz Jones campaign's missteps, why Altamirano (who placed third in the May 3 mayor's race) hasn't made an endorsement in the race, and more.
Suggested reading:
Gina Ortiz Jones, Rolando Pablos head to June 7 mayoral runoff
Pablos attacks Jones on use of her middle name; she says that’s ‘racist’
Rolando Pablos says S.A.’s future is tied to Mexico and he’s the mayor to do it
Gina Ortiz Jones draws on military, childhood in race for San Antonio mayor
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Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporter Megan Rodriguez talk with councilmen Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Marc Whyte about their favorites for mayor, red vs. blue politics on City Council and what to do about San Antonio's projected $31 million deficit.
Suggested reading:
Next mayor, council will have to make budget cuts as city revenues fall
Here’s how Gina Ortiz Jones, Rolando Pablos can become San Antonio’s next mayor
Will San Antonio’s next mayor hit the brakes on arena, Project Marvel plans?
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The city’s police and firefighters’ unions both sat out the first round of voting, waiting until the field of 27 candidates for mayor in the May 3 city election was whittled to Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos. The San Antonio Police Officers' Association backed Pablos ahead of the June 7 runoff while the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association is not endorsing.
Suggested reading:
San Antonio police union endorses Rolando Pablos for mayor
Next mayor, City Council will have to make budget cuts as revenues fall
How S.A. will cut costs to pay for firefighter raises
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The former councilwoman stepped down in 2023 to focus on a daughter who’s now 3, and Sandoval is back to her roots grounded in the environment.
Suggested reading:
Ana Sandoval's NALCAB bio page
‘It has been an honor’: San Antonio Councilwoman Ana Sandoval steps down, leaving seat open until March
‘Extremely disappointing’ — Mario Bravo suspended from SA city council committees after verbal outburst against Ana Sandoval
Keep in touch:
Metro Columnist Elaine Ayala: eayala@express-news.net
Follow @ElaineAyala on X (Twitter): https://x.com/ElaineAyala
More ¡Nosotros! Episodes on Youtube: https://exne.ws/nosotros-youtube
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Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith talk about voters' rejection of City Council members running for the top job, the Year of the Outsider and what's ahead in the June 7 runoff.
*Suggested reading:*
What happens next in San Antonio mayoral and City Council races: _https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/san-antonio-mayor-city-council-races-next-steps-20309351.php_
Gina Ortiz Jones made it to a runoff for mayor. Here's what to know about her.: _https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/things-to-know-about-mayoral-candidate-ortiz-jones-20310712.php_
Rolando Pablos could be San Antonio's next mayor. Who is he?: _https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/rolando-pablos-runoff-election-20310883.php_
*Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter:*
https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/
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Host Greg Jefferson and opinion editor Josh Brodesky discuss why early voting numbers are so weak and what went into the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board's endorsements in the mayor's race.
Suggested reading:
The Editorial Board recommends these candidates. Here's why.
Can a Republican win the mayor’s race in blue San Antonio?
The San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide
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Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith talk about who's up and who's down in the race for mayor and City Council.
Suggested reading:
The San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide
Express-News editorial board recommendations
Where to vote
Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter:
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Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith talk about who's up and who's down in the race for mayor and City Council.
Suggested reading:
Councilman Manny Pelaez pumps nearly $300K into his campaign for mayor
District 1 challenger accuses Councilwoman Sukh Kaur of violating ethics rules
We used AI to analyze San Antonio mayoral candidates priorities
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