On this week’s TribCast, Aman talks to Evan, Aliyya and Alexa about the teacher pay and school finance proposals circulating in the Texas Lege, the latest finger-pointing over the voter citizenship review and the pushback Beto O’Rourke might face in a Democratic presidential field.
Michael Rey de Leon
Michael Rey de Leon served as technical director and audiovisual engineer for Studio 919, as well as providing on-location support for The Texas Tribune’s remote event series. Michael Rey joined the Tribune in 2018 after spending years in the field working for organizations including MTV, SXSW, CBS and the University of Texas at Austin. A sixth-generation Texan with familial roots in the Rio Grande Valley, Michael Rey is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who has worked with a myriad of recording artists. When he’s not wrapping cables, Michael Rey dedicates his time to his family, cooking and curating an extensive collection of musical instruments.
TribCast: UT/TT Pollster Edition
On this week’s special pollster edition of the TribCast, Ross talks to Josh Blank, Jim Henson and Daron Shaw from the University of Texas about the findings of the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Point of Order: High hopes for higher ed
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Renu Khator, the chancellor of the University of Houston System, about access, affordability, excellence, graduation rates and the importance of educating a diverse student population.
Point of Order: The man of the House
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to former Speaker Tom Craddick, the longest-serving lawmaker in state history, about how life and work under the pink dome has changed since he was first elected half a century ago.
TribCast: Teacher pay raises, voter citizenship reviews and Beto’s big decision
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Aliyya, Emma and Patrick about the word we’re awaiting from Beto O’Rourke, the latest on the controversial voter citizenship review, Dan Patrick’s teacher pay raise proposal and Julián Castro’s presidential bid.
Point of Order: The battle over the Texas border
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Poncho Nevárez, chair of the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, about the president’s emergency declaration — and how the Texas Legislature should address the issue of unauthorized immigration.
TribCast: Property taxes, school finance, data centers and a state senator’s bid to redefine a crime
On this week’s TribCast, Ross talks to Emma, Aliyya and Edgar about Sen. Angela Paxton’s controversial bill that could impact her husband, efforts to get property tax legislation passed, a status check on the promised school finance bill and bidding out the state’s data storage to private companies.
TribCast: Dueling rallies, property taxes and an apology from the secretary of state
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Patrick and Brandon about the dueling Trump/O’Rourke rallies in El Paso, an apology from the secretary of state, where Texas lawmakers are headed on property tax reform and yet another San Antonio special election.
Point of Order: Investing in the future of Texas
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith asks state Rep. John Zerwas, the chief budget writer in the Texas House, whether we have enough money to fund today’s priorities and tomorrow’s — and which hard choices we have to make.
Point of Order: Everybody hates property taxes
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the chairman of the Senate Property Tax Committee, about off-the-charts appraisals and off-the-leash local officials — and whether his reform plan has the votes to pass.


