The Foundation Podcast

Deadlines are coming in hot. What TPPF is keeping an eye on as the end of session approaches, plus what a new loophole protecting lawyers in SB 10 means for taxpayers.

As a surprise to the Austin City Council, voters overwhelmingly passed a proposition eliminating public camping. The bipartisan support for the camping ban has put wind in the sails of legislation modeled after Austin's Prop B that would ban public camping in cities throughout the state. Save Austin Now co-founder Matt Mackowiak joins the discussion on the PAC's role in this effort as well as what the next steps might be for supporting the homeless communities across Austin and Texas.

A major legislative priority of the Texas Public Policy Foundation has officially passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting Governor Abbott's signature.   With major legislative deadlines approaching, Andrew and James discuss the ever-changing environment at the capitol and what TPPF is keeping an eye on as sine die approaches.

Sine Die is just around the corner – what does that mean for the Governor's, Speaker's, and TPPF's legislative priorities? This week, the tables are turned as TPPF's Digital Communications Director, Crystal Bonham, poses questions to Derek Cohen, David Balat, and Rod Bordelon. From the budget and bipartisan health care reforms to Speaker Phelan's new criminal justice reform package, today's panel of experts gives you the latest on what's happening under the pink dome.

Today, better than four out of five Texans (82%) agree there is an immigration crisis. Fully 25% of Texans say it is the most important issue, up from 5% just seven months ago.   TPPF's Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips joins The Foundation to discuss the latest polling results and trends including the border crisis, COVID/vaccines, and the economy.   For more on the polling results, click here.

If history doesn't repeat itself, then it at least rhymes. TPPF's CEO Kevin Roberts joins the podcast to give his perspective on the current state and future of the conservative movement.   Where are conservatives dropping the ball? Spoiler alert: Voter ID.

The Foundation welcomes back Andrew Brown and James Quintero to discuss the latest legislation on child welfare and foster care, as well as the effort to ban tax dollars from funding lobbyists.   Other pressing policy concerns such as homeless camping bans and emergency powers are covered.   Visit keeptexastexan.org to find your legislator.

Texans deserve a health care system that is focused on quality of care, encourages healthier outcomes, and ensures individuals and families have the options that work for them.   Right on Healthcare Director David Balat joins Derek Cohen on The Foundation podcast to discuss legislative reforms that offer more transparency, choice, and affordability.   View Right on Healthcare's new animated video "Patients First: The Cost of Health Care" --> http://www.texaspolicy.com/costofhealthcare

Vance Ginn and Derek Cohen discuss the bill filing deadline, government electricity repricing, and federal funds conundrum.

Sunshine is the best disinfectant. Andrew and James discuss the importance of open government, some of the worst offenders when it comes to accessibility, and the prospect of reform this legislative session.

Andrew and James talk efficiency audits, what they're testifying on this week, and what to keep an eye out for as the filing deadline approaches. TPPF's Michele Steeb joins the podcast for a discussion on HB1925 and SB987 – a direct response to the homelessness epidemic in Austin and across the state of Texas.

Child welfare in Texas has been a lasting issue that the state of Texas has had to wrestle with. Removing a child from their family is one of the most devastating actions the state can take against its citizens, and the power to permanently sever the relationship between a parent and child should only be exercised when the state has the most solid and substantial justification.   Hear a brief history of CPS in Texas from TPPF's Andrew Brown and what solutions are being pioneered through HB 567 this legislative session.   Find the research "Punished for Being Poor," here: https://www.texaspolicy.com/punished-for-being-poor-the-relationship-between-poverty-and-neglect-in-texas/

What's happening in the #TXLege, the TPPF take on the Lieutenant Governor's policy priorities, and how Career and Technical Education (CTE) is filling the trades gap while empowering young Texans to forge their own path.   On this episode of The Foundation Podcast, Derek Cohen is joined by TPPF's Erin Valdez who's research covers career and technical education at the secondary and post-secondary levels, civics education, and welfare to work programs in Texas.   To view the "College For All Isn't Working For All" video visit: https://www.texaspolicy.com/multimedia/article/college-for-all-isnt-working-for-all

Texans helping their freezing communities every which way, fighting taxpayer-funded lobbying, and more on this week's episode of The Chase. The Chase | TPPF's Andrew Brown and James Quintero, bring you everything you need to know about policies affecting you, your family, and your community.

What Happened? Former TX Rep. Jason Isaac, now Director of Life:Powered at TPPF, discusses putting the "Reliable" back in ERCOT and the root cause of the tragic blackouts this week and sources of mismanagement: poor public policies.   For more on the evolving situation visit www.thecannononline.com

Did you know that every 10 years, each state agency must go before the legislature and justify their existence?   Hear from TPPF's Derek Cohen, Ph.D. and today's guest, Vance Ginn, Ph.D., on which agencies are due for sun-shining, what the biannual revenue estimate is, and the path to a Conservative Texas Budget in the 87th legislative session.   For more on TPPF's Liberty Action Agenda, click here.

A look at the Governor's proposed budget, Richardson ISD's $750 million bond proposition, and what Texans have to say in TPPF's latest polling.

During the State of the State, Governor Greg Abbott laid out his priorities for the 87th legislative session. Derek Cohen, Ph.D. breaks down the 5 emergency orders put forth by the Governor including a closer look at election integrity with TPPF's Chuck DeVore.

Our comeback is happening. Texans are returning to work, students are returning to schools, families are reestablishing routines. Join Andrew and James as they dive into the intersection of Governor Abbott's State of the Sate and TPPF's Legislative Action Agenda. Spoiler alert: there's a light at the end of the tunnel.   The Chase, hosted by TPPF's Andrew Brown and James Quintero, bringing you everything you need to know about policies affecting you, your family, and your community. 

The 87th legislative session will be one for the history books given the unprecedented events of the past year. TPPF's Dr. Derek Cohen hosts this session's podcast, giving you insight into what is happening under the pink dome and how TPPF is working to Keep Texas Texan.

In our first episode of 2019, Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews Jason Isaac, Senior Manager and Distinguished Fellow of Life: Powered at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Learn what to expect from the the 2019 Texas legislative session, and get caught up on all things policy.

Join Dr. Roberts as he sits down with Rob Henneke, TPPF's general counsel and the lead attorney for individual plaintiffs in the most recent ObamaCare challenge, as he reflects on the recent victory and what it means for health care going forward.

Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews Dr. Scott Tinker, director of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas, about the effects of energy poverty and how it threatens the freedoms and liberties we enjoy. Listen as they discuss the pros and cons of renewables and what they mean for the future our energy landscape. Program correction: Scott said that West Texas has 23,000 gigawatts of wind energy capacity. He meant to say it has 23 gigawatts (23,000 megawatts)

On the seventeenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Dr. Kevin Roberts reflects on the lessons learned by all Americans on that day in our country's history— lessons of civility, belief, patriotism, and humanity.

Dr. Kevin Roberts sits down with criminal justice attorney Chris Perri to discuss how criminal charges appear on individual's records even after the individual is found innocent of those charges and the work he is doing to help individuals in this predicament move forward with their lives.

Dr. Kevin Roberts hosts President of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquist to discuss ATR's history of success, Reagan's legacy of conservatism, and further tax reform to help America prosper.

Dr. Kevin Roberts meets with TPPF's own Vice President of Research, Bill Peacock to delve into past policy successes propelled by strong research as well as current areas of interest including windmill subsidies and renewable energy claims.

Dr. Kevin Roberts hosts Austin City Councilwoman Ellen Troxclair to discuss Austin's biggest challenges including cost of living and the homeless population. She shares her solutions from an insider perspective and how residents can help preserve the best parts of Austin living.

Dr. Kevin Roberts hosts renown Erick Erickson to discuss how conservatives still win and can win the culture war by going back to our foundation.

The left is oftentimes credited with helping minorities in public policy. Daniel rejects that common perception and explains how free market principles are the main driver of success, especially within the Latino community.

Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews Boyd Matheson News Opinion Editor and Head of Strategic Reach at Deseret News about the future of the Supreme Court, what American Exceptionalism really means, and the importance of community and culture over politics.

In this special holiday episode, Dr. Kevin Roberts reflects on some of the most inspiring language about what it means to be an American and reminds us why we still have reason to celebrate Independence Day.

Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews Sam Duell the Associate Policy Director for Charter Schools ExcelinEd about how charter schools help improve educational opportunities for students and the policy changes needed to accomplish this goal.al. 

Dr. Keven Roberts interviews Christi Craddick, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Learn what the RRC does and how Craddick's work affects state and national energy policy.

In this episode of The Foundation, host Dr. Kevin Roberts sits down with Rep. Paul D. Workman to discuss Workman's involvement on the Natural Resources Committee and his commitment to doing the most good in a diverse district as a part-time Legislator and full-time freedom fighter.

Dr. Derek Cohen who was at the White House Summit and is the director of TPPF's Right on Crime initiative sits down with Dr. Kevin to discuss the past, present, and future of criminal justice reform.

Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews TPPF Senior Fellow and former congressman LTC Allen West about the principles and values espoused by educator and activist Booker T. Washington, and how his three pillars of education, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance are the building blocks individual and community prosperity."

This week Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews Jeff Sandefer, Co-founder of Acton Academy, a global network of innovative K-12 schools focused  on providing competency-based education.”

This week Dr. Kevin Roberts interviewed Jonah Goldberg about his new book, Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy. They discussed America's forgotten cultural inheritance and the problem that poses for modern politics.  

Kevin Roberts Interviews DR. Thomas Lindsay and DR. Stanley Kurtz on the issues of campus free speech. Listen as they discuss the effects of shutdowns and what remedies are available to preserve liberty.

Dr. Kevin Roberts interviews Jeremy Tate on a new form of education testing called the CLT exam. This Exam is directed at transforming how we teach by changing what we measure

Dr. Kevin Roberts speaks with our own senior economist and director of the Center for Economic Prosperity Dr. Vance Ginn about how NAFTA, minimum wages, tariffs, and the Texas model affect Americans.  

Dr. Kevin Roberts sits down with TPPF experts Rob Henneke and Drew White, who focus on reducing federal regulations and giving more authority to the states over critical issues like education, health care, and energy development.

Former Congressman and now President of the Heartland Institute Tim Huelskamp joined TPPF's "Draining the Swap Summit" to discuss the problems of the administrative state and unaccountable government, and how Americans across the country can fight back.

Dr. Ashley Berner, an education policy professor at Johns Hopkins University, recently wrote a book titled, Pluralism and American Public Education: No One Way to School. It's an innovative take on public education, and she discusses it here with The Foundation's Dr. Kevin Roberts.