ENside Politics

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.

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Politics
26
San Antonio small business owners: From mean tw...
San Antonio restaurateurs Jody Bailey and Chad Carey talk with host Greg Jefferson about the damage city street projects often inflict on small businesses -- and a new political action committee they’ve helped organize to make sure it’s a big issue in next year’s municipal elections.
53 min
27
San Antonio voters like caps on city manager, n...
Voters will decide Nov. 5 on a pay increase for City Council and whether to remove pay and term restrictions on the city manager. A new poll by the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research show voters aren't fans of either proposition. San Antonio political consultants Eddie Aldrete and Laura Barberena join ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson hash out the survey's results -- and a few of its shortcomings.
38 min
28
DeBerry touts the AI-powered eyes that will be ...
Trish DeBerry is the biggest proponent of a security camera network in the center city. Deberry is CEO of Centro San Antonio, a public-private organization focused on downtown revitalization. The San Antonio Police Department plans to set up 10 AI-powered security cameras on a four-block stretch of Commerce Street downtown under a pilot program that could launch as early as January. The cameras will operate on artificial intelligence software and form an integrated network of eyes. DeBerry talks with ENside Politics this week about why she’s been pushing for downtown cameras – and about the $950,000 she says the city wants Centro to cough up for the effort. She also muses on what new Missions ballpark will mean for downtown.
42 min
29
There's no such thing as free stadium money | E...
Heywood Sanders, a trenchant critic of deals cut in private but paid for with public dollars, says San Antonio has a long history of financing projects like the planned $160 million stadium for the Missions ball club. They rarely turn out well for taxpayers, the UTSA professor emeritus of public administration tells ENside Politics. The problem: too much back-room bargaining, too little public participation in the projects' development.
46 min
30
Marc Whyte opens up | Puro Politics
San Antonio Councilman addresses ethics complaint, DWI, city attorney and budget process.
54 min
31
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez returns | Puro Politics
East Side council member talks city attorney, fire-union negotiations, Ready to Work, charter amendments and mayoral race.
39 min
32
City Hall firestorm | Puro Politics
A coalition of council members seek to oust city attorney Andy Segovia. Plus the latest on Colin Strother and others caught up in the Henry Cuellar indictment.
32 min
33
Henry Cuellar's $600,000 problem | Puro Politics
The Puro Politics team takes a look at the congressman's federal indictment, a stunning NEISD election and pro-Palestinian campus protests at UT-Austin and nationwide.
34 min
34
Dist. 121 candidate Laurel Jordan Swift | Puro ...
Texas House hopeful talks with the Puro Politics team about efforts to flip her district and her views on Republican challenger Marc Lahood.
37 min
35
Spurs tip their hand on arena talks | Puro Pol...
The latest news on the team's bid for a downtown arena, plus Arizona abortion law parallels and appraisal board changes on this week's episode of Puro Politics.
28 min
36
Manny Peláez makes his case for mayor | Puro Po...
San Antonio's District 8 councilman explains why he's running and what he hopes to accomplish.
51 min
37
Texas GOP picks a fight with H-E-B | Puro Politics
The Puro Politics team talks about Republican resolutions against Charles Butt, San Antonio's charter review and Ken Paxton's settlement.
28 min
38
Law professor Al Kauffman on SB4 | Puro Politics
St. Mary's University constitutional scholar breaks down Texas "show me your papers" law.
35 min
39
Tony Gonzales takes on The AK Guy | Puro Politics
San Antonio congressman talks about his runoff race with Brandon Herrera.
34 min
40
Primary election recap | Puro Politics
Breaking down a Super Tuesday that was less than super for anti-voucher Republicans.
32 min
41
279. Primary preview with Jon Taylor | Puro Pol...
UTSA professor breaks down the big election races.
39 min
42
278. IBC Bank Chairman and CEO Dennis Nixon | P...
IBC Bank chairman/CEO Dennis Nixon talks border and immigration policy.
39 min
43
277. City Council's code of conduct | Puro Poli...
Why councilmembers voted to police their own behavior.
25 min
44
276. The bid to unseat Ted Cruz | Puro Politics
U.S. Senate primary heats up between Roland Gutierrez and Colin Allred, Gov. Abbott and the Eagle Pass standoff with Biden, and John Courage's mayoral kickoff.
28 min
45
275. District Court Judge Ron Rangel | Puro Pol...
District Court judge talks about the new city/county Public Safety Action Plan.
38 min
46
274. Charles Hood forced out as Fire Chief | Pu...
Hood's resignation, updates on Marc Whyte and city cease-fire resolution, and Mayra Flores' GrubGate.
38 min
47
273. City Hall drama | Puro Politics
City Council deals with Marc Whyte's arrest and a resolution on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
30 min
48
272. Peter Sakai: Year One | Puro Politics
The Bexar County judge assesses his first year in office, and talks about a possible new Spurs arena, the recent rift between the DA and police chief, and the need for more mental-health resources.
38 min
49
271. CPS rate hike creates unusual alliance | P...
The Puro Politics team talks about the the City Council's bipartisan opposition to a proposed City Public Service rate increase, Ted Cruz's history of misinformation, and Ken Paxton suing Pfizer over its COVID vaccine.
24 min
50
270. Nirenberg's charter amendment push
San Antonio commission will consider expanding City Council, increasing council pay and extending the tenure of city managers.
22 min