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.

News
Politics
1
Abortion-rights advocates want more city dollar...
City Hall reporters Molly Smith and Megan Rodriguez talk to Laura Molinar of Sueños Sin Fronteras and Ariana Rodriguez of Jane's Due Process about San Antonio’s Reproductive Justice Fund and what they hope to see from the mayoral contenders.
41 min
2
Remembering Howard Peak, parsing John Courage's...
ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and political consultant Laura Barberena discuss the late Mayor Howard Peak's legacy, the potential downtown Spurs arena, and how Councilman John Courage's decision to withdraw will recast the 2025 race for mayor.
53 min
3
COPS-Metro leaders: No tax dollars for ‘playgro...
COPS-Metro's Sonia Rodriguez and Father Jimmy Drennan talk with ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson and reporter Molly Smith about their group's concerns about the Missions stadium deal and the budding plan for a Spurs arena at Hemisfair dubbed 'Project Marvel.'
47 min
4
The latest on Southwest Airlines' beef with San...
ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson and Express-News reporter Megan Rodriguez talk with airline analyst Keith Debbage about how the Dallas-based airline's fight to get gates in the city's glitzy Terminal C might play out.
38 min
5
Teri Castillo on how San Antonio drops the ball...
The West Side councilwoman talks with ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporter Molly Smith about the planned Missions baseball stadium and the apartment complex it will wipe out.
40 min
6
Reporters' roundtable on Trump's, and his party...
ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson and Express-News reporter Ed McKinley, Brooke Park and Molly Smith discuss the GOP blowout in state and local races. They also parse the fate of City Council's proposed raise and the removal on pay and tenure caps on the city manager.
32 min
7
Our experts talk Cruz versus Allred and other e...
Political consultants Eddie Aldrete and Laura Barberena tell ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson why Colin Allred isn't rushing to embrace Kamala Harris -- and why Sen. Ted Cruz isn't talking much about Donald Trump.
56 min
8
Philanthropist Gordon Hartman says "vote yes" f...
Gordon Hartman, a philanthropist and tri-chair of the PAC that's running the "vote yes" campaign for six city charter amendments, talks with ENside Politics host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporter Molly Smith about why voters should eliminate pay and tenure restrictions on San Antonio's city manager.
51 min
9
Gina Ortiz Jones goes after Texas justices over...
The two-time Democratic nominee in Congressional District 23 runs a political action committee that's targeting three Republican justices seeking re-election to the Texas Supreme Court over ruling on the state's near-total abortion ban. She talks with host Greg Jefferson and reporter Megan Rodriguez about her organization's efforts to take out justices Jimmy Blacklock, John Devine and Jane Bland in November's election.
48 min
10
San Antonio fire union president: We’ll fight e...
Joe Jones, president of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters’ Association, told ENside Politics the union is coming out against a city charter amendment to take back salary and tenure restrictions on San Antonio’s city manager. Jones also talked with host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporter Molly Smith about the union’s new contract and firefighters’ concerns about a Venezuelan gang that’s allegedly trying to get a foothold in San Antonio.
48 min
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
Marc Whyte opens up | Puro Politics
San Antonio Councilman addresses ethics complaint, DWI, city attorney and budget process.
54 min
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
Law professor Al Kauffman on SB4 | Puro Politics
St. Mary's University constitutional scholar breaks down Texas "show me your papers" law.
35 min
24
Tony Gonzales takes on The AK Guy | Puro Politics
San Antonio congressman talks about his runoff race with Brandon Herrera.
34 min
25
Primary election recap | Puro Politics
Breaking down a Super Tuesday that was less than super for anti-voucher Republicans.
32 min