Episodios

  • The Voting Puzzle: Registration, Access, and Apathy in Texas

    The Voting Puzzle: Registration, Access, and Apathy in Texas
    Jun 20 2025

    Texas consistently ranks near the bottom when it comes to voter turnout — but why?

    In this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into the numbers behind Texas’ low voter turnout and explore the many factors that shape how, when, and whether people cast a ballot.

    TOPICS:Why eligible voters aren’t registering.
    The unique challenges young voters face.
    How accessibility and ID laws impact participation.
    What communities and creatives can do to inspire civic engagement.

    From systemic barriers to cultural shifts, we unpack what’s keeping Texans from the polls — and what might finally change that.

    How we vote matters. And in Texas, it might matter more than ever.

    In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts). SUBSCRIBE for more local news and information from Houston Public Media: https://www.youtube.com/@HoustonPublicMedia
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    27 m
  • The Changing Face of Texas: Growth, Grit, and Growing Pains

    The Changing Face of Texas: Growth, Grit, and Growing Pains
    Jun 13 2025
    This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina explore the growing pains and political pressures shaping Texas as it marches toward its bicentennial in 2036. From population explosions and housing crises to water shortages and shifting demographics, the Lone Star State is facing some big questions about its future.TOPICS:Population growth challenges.Why affordable housing is slipping out of reachWater depletion.Demographic shifts in TexasPolitics of immigrationSilver TsunamiHow energy systems are being put to their limitsAs Texas approaches its 200th birthday, can state leaders rise to the challenge—or will politics get in the way?In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts). SUBSCRIBE for more local news and information from Houston Public Media: https://www.youtube.com/@HoustonPublicMedia
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    27 m
  • Big Decisions Ahead: Bills, Budget Battles, SCOTUS Cases & What’s Next in U.S. Politics This Summer

    Big Decisions Ahead: Bills, Budget Battles, SCOTUS Cases & What’s Next in U.S. Politics This Summer
    Jun 6 2025

    It’s shaping up to be a busy — and politically loaded — summer.

    On this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into the big headlines and behind-the-scenes dynamics shaping U.S. politics this season.

    TOPICS:

    Which bills could land on the Governor Abbott's desk — and which might get vetoed

    The status of the federal budget battle in Congress

    The latest in U.S. tariff disputes and global trade tensions

    Supreme Court cases to watch as rulings roll out

    Possible changes in foreign policy amid shifting global alliances

    How politicians are gearing up for the 2026 elections during the summer

    In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 m
  • The 89th Texas Legislature: GOP Goals, Democratic Dilemmas, and Power Plays

    The 89th Texas Legislature: GOP Goals, Democratic Dilemmas, and Power Plays
    May 30 2025

    This week in politics on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the dynamics shaping the 89th Texas Legislature, if the state’s top Republican leaders—Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrow— are working together, or working around each other, the overlap—and tensions—between Texas’ executive and legislative branches, the core values driving the Texas GOP this session, controversial bans being pushed by Republicans—and the political risks they carry, why dysfunction is brewing inside the Texas Democratic Party and what it all means for Texans as laws are made (or stalled) under the dome in Austin.

    TEXAS TOPICS

    An overview of the 89th Legislature

    Overlap between the Texas Speaker of the House, Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

    Are the branches of Texas government aligned?

    What is the core value of the Republican party in Texas.

    Texas GOP bans plans several bans, could there be issues later?

    Dysfunction in the Democratic Party.

    In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 m
  • Biden Fights Cancer, Trump Gets a Jet, SCOTUS Tackles Immigration, and Congress Eyes the ‘Big Beautiful Bill'

    Biden Fights Cancer, Trump Gets a Jet, SCOTUS Tackles Immigration, and Congress Eyes the ‘Big Beautiful Bill'
    May 23 2025

    This week in politics on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis has reignited questions about his legacy and the 2024 race, the Supreme Court tackling major immigration cases that could reshape national policy. They also discuss Donald Trump re-entering the spotlight—fresh off receiving a $400 million private jet—and his push to Congress to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill". Down in Texas, the House passed both a bail reform package and a school funding bill.

    NATIONAL TOPICSPresident Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and its impact on his legacy.Recent Immigration cases in the U.S. Supreme CourtPresident Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”Trump gifted a $400 million plane.TEXAS TOPICSTexas House passes bail reform measuresSchool funding bill passedIn addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 m
  • Is America’s Balance of Power Broken? How the Presidency, Congress, and Courts Are Colliding

    Is America’s Balance of Power Broken? How the Presidency, Congress, and Courts Are Colliding
    May 16 2025
    On this week's episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the balance of power in American government — then and now. Are checks and balances still doing their job? Is the judiciary truly independent, or too partisan? And just how far can presidential power go? A conversation about the shifting dynamics at the heart of our political system.TOPICS:Separation of powers then and nowThe modern political systemAre checks and balances working?Checking the powers of the president.Are the courts too partisan?Is the judiciary branch independent enough?Unilateral Presidential PowerIn addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 m
  • 100 Days of Trump: Did He Deliver? The Good, The Bad, and the Executive Orders.

    100 Days of Trump: Did He Deliver? The Good, The Bad, and the Executive Orders.
    May 9 2025
    On this week’s episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss why the first 100 days of a presidency are important, the grade President Trump should receive for the first 100 days, why Trump has chosen to use so many executive orders to govern, if Trump can continue to govern using social media as one of his biggest tools, how effective has the implementation of DOGE been for the Trump administration, and the relationship between Trump and the Judiciary branch.NATIONAL TOPICSWhy are the first 100 days important to a presidency?What grade with you give Trump for his presidency so far?Why govern by executive order?Can Trump govern by Tweet?Effectiveness of DOGE.Trump administration vs. JudiciaryIn addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 m
  • Make America...Hats Again? Trump 2028 Merch & Economic Reality Check

    Make America...Hats Again? Trump 2028 Merch & Economic Reality Check
    May 2 2025

    On this week's episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss a decline in economic growth under President Trump, trade in the United States amid Canadian election results, democrat Senator Dick Durbin retiring, Trump 2028 hats appearing online, Trump backing Texas GOP members who back the school vouchers, bipartisan support for an update to the current Texas abortion ban, the Freedom Caucus' impact on the legislature, Beto O’Rourke hinting at a potential senate run. and other national, state and local politics.

    NATIONAL TOPICS

    Economy Reversal Under Trump U.S.

    United States Trade Amid the Canadian Election

    Senator Dick Durbin Retires

    Trump 2028 hat surfaces online.

    TEXAS TOPICS

    Trump states he will back every GOP member that backs the school voucher vote

    Bipartisan support for an update to clarify the abortion ban.

    Freedom Caucus’ impact on the legislature.

    Beto O’Rourke hints at a potential senate run.

    In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 m