Advertise on podcast: ENside Politics

Political consultant Andrew Solano talks with the ENside Politics team about the coming fight at City Council over whether to once again raise San Antonio's tax rate to underwrite a big bond package. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones says no — but it's complicated. Suggested reading: City staff proposes $442 million bond to avoid property tax hike, but some council members eye $1 billion San Antonio leaders weigh stormwater fee hike to pay for flood projects Who wants San Antonio bond money? City, nonprofits, developers seek $5.8B Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reporters Madison Iszler and Megan Rodriguez talk with host Greg Jefferson about why the Conservation Society cancelled next year's NIOSA, one of Fiesta's main events — and why some of the event's many diehard volunteers and fans aren't buying the society's explanations. Suggested reading: Anger flares at Conservation Society meeting over NIOSA decisionNIOSA canceled for 2027 as organizers 'pause' to regroup San Antonio Explained: How NIOSA became a beloved Fiesta tradition Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brooks Development Authority CEO Leo Gomez talks with the ENside Politics team about what it took to land Industrial Electric Manufacturer, a utility equipment maker that will build a $200 million plant at the former Air Force base and hire 3,000 workers. Gomez also details plans to continue expanding beyond the former base's boundaries. Suggested reading: Former Brooks Air Force hangar to become National Park Service facility Brooks expands beyond former Air Force base in hunt for major employers IEM picks San Antonio for $200M plant expected to create 3,000 jobs Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After weeks of sniping at one another both in public and behind the scenes, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and City Council finally vote on the city's $4.4 billion budget and its first property tax rate hike in more than three decades. The ENside Politics team examines how we got here and what's behind all the fighting. Suggested reading: Here’s what Mayor Jones wants to cut from the San Antonio budget City takes heat for cutting 39 library workers in next year's budget Nonprofits rally against San Antonio's proposal to cut $5.1M to grants Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte talks with the ENside Politics team about cuts he wants to see to the city budget to avoid a property tax increase and why he's OK diverting tax revenue from the general fund. Suggested reading: 'Unacceptable': San Antonio nonprofits rally against proposed $5.1M cut to city grantsIn controversial vote, board approves millions for Spurs arena land purchase Longtime SAPD lawman Jesse Salame is City Manager Erik Walsh’s pick for police chief Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez talks with the ENside Politics team about his efforts to stop or at least slow down a planned ICE detention center on the East Side, the hard budget choices facing City Council — and the tattoo shop he co-owns with former Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda. Suggested reading: ICE awards contract for San Antonio immigration detention centerCouncil members fight over budget cuts, proposed tax rate hikeMayor wants to end Midtown tax zone as city weighs new projects Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez talks with the ENside Politics team about how Bexar County will close its two-year, $145 million budget deficit, what's next for the publicly financed Spurs arena (and what request Spurs Sports & Entertainment might make in the near future), and the recent drama between the county and San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Suggested reading: No tax hike. No major cuts. But Bexar County is cutting into reserves. City wants to extend lucrative taxing district to pay for Spurs arena property Bexar County advances rodeo expansion, but it's not a done deal Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ENside Politics team dissects Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' campaign to put the city $489 million contribution to the planned Spurs arena to a public vote in November -- and a razor-thin City Council majority's rejection of the move this week. Suggested reading: Mayor Jones again calls for city vote on Spurs arena funding Mayor Jones urges residents to tell City Council to order arena funding election Mayor Jones' push for vote on city's contribution to Spurs arena fails Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

District 8 Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez talks with the ENside Politics team about why she wants to ask San Antonio voters in November to reauthorize Pre-K 4 SA for another 20 years. Note: A few hours after this was recorded Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones announced that she was no longer seeking a citywide vote to reallocate Ready to Work dollars Suggested reading: Mayor Jones scraps push to hold election on Ready to Work dollars⁠ Council members pitch November vote to extend Pre-K 4 SA for 20 years ‘Governing by memo’: Council frustrations with one another boil over at first meeting since July recess Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo talks with the ENside Politics team about the many hard choices City Council will have to make in next year's budget and what it's like to serve under Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. Suggested reading: Mayor Jones proposes killing Ready to Work to close budget deficit Mayor Jones asks business community to fund nonprofits that rely on city dollars Hundreds of jobs, array of city services could be slashed without property tax hike Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political consultant Andrew Solano talks with the ENside Politics team about whether City Council has the appetite to cut funding for the San Antonio Botanical Garden and other nonprofits -- or to increase the city's property tax rate. Also, the Bonham Exchange is asking for more time to install legally required fire sprinklers after Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones drops her pledge to help raise money for the system. Suggested reading: Why Mayor Jones said the city should stop funding the Botanical Garden Bonham Exchange seeks more time to install fire sprinklers, avoid closure Mayor’s voting commission wants new City Hall office to boost voter turnout Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The head of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is warning that a conceptual development plan for the East Side could collide with his organization's expansion — and that tax dollars voters OK'd for the rodeo's designs could wind up paying for some of those clashing projects. Reporter Madison Iszler and host Greg Jefferson discuss.  Suggested reading: Rodeo says East Side development plan clashes with expansion Housing, hotels or horses? A fight brews over Frost Bank Center land. Voters approve plan to renovate Frost Bank Center, expand rodeo events Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Education reporters Noah Alcala Bach and Sophia Veneziano talk with ENside Politics about which area school districts have come under Texas Education Agency scrutiny and why. Suggested reading: State probes Judson ISD for alleged threats, failure to report child abuse STAAR gains offer lifeline to some S.A. schools at risk of state interventionJudson ISD board OK's budget that nearly slays deficit Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reporter Liz Teitz and the ENside Politics team discuss the rupture that resulted in City Council postponing a vote on a SAWS rate increase till next fall. Suggested reading: After debate, split City Council delays decision on SAWS rate hike SAWS says it needs to raise rates. It’s hitting resistance at City Hall. City staff to council: Raise SAWS rates — just not by quite as much Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former San Antonio Mayor and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff talks with reporters Madison Iszler and Molly Smith about the hallmarks of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' first year in office, what Ron Nirenberg's administration could look like if he wins the county judge election and tensions over Project Marvel and plans for the Frost Bank Center grounds. Suggested reading: One year in, Mayor Jones remains a political island in San Antonio Will Project Marvel be on the ballot in San Antonio's next bond election? Peter Sakai will lead Bexar County for nine more months. How will he govern? Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices