DALLAS — NEWSMAKER
Inside Texas Politics began with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and his last weeks in office. For months Mayor Rawlings shied away from endorsing his successor. However, he decided to support a candidate in the runoff last week. Rawlings joined host Jason Whitely and Bud Kennedy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to explain why he jumped into the race.
STATEWIDE
Texas lawmakers went into this legislative session with election reform on their minds. Specifically, ballot security and ensuring no one can hack into electronic voting machines. The idea was to create a paper trail. But the legislation now being considered doesn’t have that in it. Ross Ramsey, the co-founder and executive editor of the Texas Tribune, joined host Jason Whitely to give perspective on why the shift from a bipartisan bill to a controversial one. They also discussed whether the revived Chick-fil-A bill will pass.
MY VOICE, MY OPINION
Injustice is sometimes the seed for political change. And in Dallas, it might also be driving people to the polls on June 8 for the mayoral runoff. Ed Gray from the Commish Radio Show explains why with this week’s My Voice, My Opinion.
NEWSMAKER 2
During the last days of the legislature, Republican lawmakers are pushing to prevent tax dollars from going to any abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. Presently, tax dollars do not fund abortions in Texas. However, supporters hope the bill being considered diminishes Planned Parenthood. Opponents say it'll end up blocking access to healthcare for thousands of lower-income Texans. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins joined host Jason Whitely to discuss why he’s advocating against it.
FLASHPOINT
The Texas legislature is debating election reform. It has become a lightning rod issue in Austin and sparked this morning's Flashpoint. From the right, Wade Emmert, former chairman of the Dallas County Republican party. And from the left, LULAC's national president Domingo Garcia.
ROUNDTABLE
Reporters Roundtable puts the headlines in perspective each week. Ross Ramsey and Bud Kennedy returned along with Berna Dean Steptoe, WFAA’s political producer. Ross, Bud and Berna Dean joined host Jason Whitely to offer perspective on why Beto O'Rourke has seen a big slip in polling recently. His numbers are almost as low as Julian Castro's.