Join host Brian Phillips on The Right Idea as he welcomes Abraham George, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, for an exclusive deep dive into the policies shaping Texas. From the push for school choice and border security to tackling property taxes and taxpayer-funded lobbying, George shares his take on the GOP’s legislative priorities during the 2025 session. Plus, hear his thoughts on Trump’s first 100 days, election integrity, and closing primaries. Don’t miss this insider look at the people, politics, and ideas driving the Lone Star State!2:00 - Luka Doncic’s Return & Texas Sports Talk5:30 - Chairman’s Role During Legislative Session8:00 - Grassroots Unity & the Big Three16:30 - School Choice: HB 3 and Beyond21:08 - Border Security in a Trump Era23:15 - Property Taxes: A Growing Crisis30:20 - Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Exposed36:20 - Election Integrity Challenges43:45 - Closed Primaries Debate47:19 - What to Watch Before Sine Die
In this episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips, Chief Communications Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, sits down with Texas State Representative Caroline Harris Davila from House District 52. Elected at just 28 years old, Rep. Harris Davila made waves as the Freshman Legislator of the Year, sending 13 bills to Governor Abbott’s desk in her first session. We dive into her groundbreaking work on healthcare transparency with SB 490, her push for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) caucus, and her new bills tackling healthcare costs and HOA overreach in 2025.
This week, Brian and Derek enjoy a “powerful” discussion regarding the future of nuclear energy in Texas with the state’s former Chief Operations Officer, Reed Clay.0:00 Welcome1:34 Hot Take: What’s your favorite famous political gaffe? 5:47 Introduction to the Texas Nuclear Alliance7:30 Why has it taken so long for an organization like the Texas Nuclear Alliance to be created?9:47 What are people’s fears regarding nuclear power?13:27 Why has nuclear “been dark” for over a decade?16:07 How have today’s reactors improved in regards to safety and efficiency?23:00 What regulatory hurdles lay in front of nuclear advancement?28:13 All things considered, including the environment, what is the viability of a nuclear business model?32:17 Micro-reactors35:04 NIMBY and transmission issues facing nuclear power37:30 Legislative hurdles for nuclear power in Texas41:08 Survey Says: 57% say that making America energy independent is more important than fighting climate change 44:46 Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics: Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen have the pleasure of sitting down with Representative Terri Leo-Wilson to discuss the recent developments in education policy under the pink dome, including bringing school choice to Texas.1:25 Hot Take: Which business would you stop using if they took a key service away?5:16 How do Representatives prepare for marathon debates?11:35 Can Texas be pro-teacher AND pro-parent?27:15 What made HB 1605 a game changer in 2023?34:28 How can we help teachers improve across the state?39:02 HB 1481 would prohibit smart devices in classrooms during instructional periods42:30 HB 610 addresses severance packages run amok for superintendents 50:24 What’s next in the legislative process regarding school choice?
TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen react to this week’s nearly 24-hour marathon of testimony and debate over Texas House Bill 3, on Education Savings Accounts.2:56 Hot Take: Which American product or service would you promote from the White House Lawn?9:10 Texas House Pub Ed Committee hearing on HB3 reaction23:35 Department of Education “vacates”30:59 Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will be the next chancellor of the Texas A&M University System 36:19 Texas Lawmakers aim to supplant Delaware as corporate HQ hub with new pro-business bill40:06 Survey Says: Texans say they get their political news from social media46:37 What to Watch For
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by TPPF’s K-12 Education Policy Director, Jorge Borrego, to discuss Texas' proposed Education Savings Account legislation and dispel the common myths around it.1:19 Hot Take: Should the State of the Union return to merely a written letter to Congress?7:40 ESAs - What are they and how do they work?18:05 How will ESAs be prioritized?24:05 Myth busting - School choice will kill Friday Night Lights26:43 Myth busting - School choice will defund public schools31:03 Myth busting - School choice = no testing nor accountability42:25 Survey Says: Overwhelming support for ESAs47:32 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics - Parental Choice & Black Empowerment52:10 What’re you watching?
Brian and Derek discuss all things “energy,” from fossil fuels to nuclear to yes… even parent empowerment, with Jason Isaac of the American Energy Institute.0:00 Welcome2:12 Hot Take: Following Elon’s example, should hats be a trend at all workplaces?4:48 School Choice is Nigh - we have the votes!10:02 Landman… is it real?12:35 Are we officially past the Biden assault on American energy development?19:36 The current state of energy reliability and affordability in Texas42:00 Survey Says: How Free is Free Speech?45:48 Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics - taxpayer funded lobbyists are receiving tens of millions from Texans50:45 What’re you watching?
Brian and Derek review the incredible week’s events at TPPF’s annual Texas Policy Summit, featuring highlights from Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, House Speaker Burrows, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Congressman Chip Roy and so much more!
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen tackle the top headlines of the week, from Valentine's Day decorum, to property tax relief, to the lies and damn lies surrounding school choice.2:17 Hot Take: How long can you date someone and NOT have to buy them a Valentine’s Day gift?6:50 Property Tax Relief Update17:17 DOGE cuts nearly $1 billion from Department of Education22:25 NIH caps non-research funding25:36 Some in Texas want their own statewide DOGE29:14 Should Texas be reimbursed for Operation Lone Star?32:13 Survey Says!32:46 Taxpayer funded lobbying34:09 Housing affordability 35:29 Texas State Border Security Agency35:47 Nuclear Power36:21 Bail Reform (the numbers appear split)39:40 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics - School Choice Myths45:08 What’re you watching?
This week, Brian Phillips and TPPF’s Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown, discuss Governor Abbott’s State of the State address, in which he outlined his top priorities for the 89th Legislative Session.1:46 Hot Take: Best / Worst Trades in Sports History9:06 Property Tax Relief16:08 Water22:07 Education31:09 Bail Reform35:06 The Texas Cyber Command43:57 Survey Says: GOP & American public on the same page51:55 What’re you watching?
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen tackle the top headlines of the week, from the NFL cheers, jeers and tears to the State’s 89th Legislative Session and the quick moves Trump has made nationally in merely two weeks since his inauguration.7:03 Hot Take: Who will win the Super Bowl… and who cares?10:24 Governor Abbott announced that he will give his State of the State address on Sunday, where he will reveal his top priorities for the 89th Legislative Session21:16 Lieutenant Governor Patrick announced his top 40 priorities29:07 School Choice is Winning!39:13 Border Security48:07 Trump swiftly downsizes the federal workforce
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by TPPF’s Secure & Sovereign Texas Campaign Director, Selene Rodriguez, to dive into President Trump’s Executive Orders and other plans to secure our southern border.1:24 Hot Take: Who would be your unexpected band to headline YOUR inauguration party?6:13 What are President Trump’s border security oriented Executive Orders?30:11 Survey Says! U.S. leaders’ approval ratings34:59 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Public school employment is up while enrollment is down41:09 What to watch for
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by the State of Texas’ Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, to discuss the current and future state of Texas’ financial integrity.1:17 Hot Take: What’s your favorite rumor or myth about the Texas Capitol? 4:53 Guest Interview: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar29:17 Survey Says: America has lost ground over the past four years35:46 Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics: Squatting in Texas46:53 What to Watch For
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen discuss the upcoming Texas Legislative Session and the key issues that lie ahead with TPPF’s Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown.1:24 Hot Take: New Year’s Resolutions5:55 Parent Empowerment8:34 Water10:55 The Economy12:37 Property Taxes16:59 School Choice/Parent Empowerment25:11 The Border30:40 Energy34:36 Higher Education / DEI36:14 Housing Affordability40:10 Technology Policies43:12 Survey Says! Healthcare!49:33 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Gambling In Texas59:24 What to watch for
Brian and Derek are joined by The Texan’s Senior Reporter, Brad Johnson, to take a fun look back at 2024 and reflect on the year’s highlights, lowlights and even lower lights, typically stemming from AT&T Stadium.1:27 Hot Take: The O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act would make planting a flag in the center of Ohio Stadium a felony. Overreach much?4:37 Overall Year In Review6:32 2024’s Biggest Wins14:32 2024’s Biggest Disappointments23:18 2024’s Biggest Stories31:35 The Year’s Biggest Surprises43:11 Politician of the Year47:17 Texan of the Year57:44 What are we looking forward to?
In this “In Depth” episode, Derek Cohen and Texas State University professor Matt Logan discuss Matt’s upcoming criminal justice paper in City Journal and how criminal justice policy at the state and federal levels might change following recent election results.
In this “In Depth” episode, Brian discusses the cultural battles being fought from Washington D.C. to Main Street, U.S.A. for and against the nuclear family and the institution of marriage with the Washington Examiner’s Conn Carroll.
Brian Phillips and Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian discuss the role of the Railroad Commission, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Texas energy grid, and ESG.3:18 Commissioner Christian’s thoughts on the election results and what’s to come7:14 Efficient Energy Creating and Usage8:21 What will it be like in having a partner in energy policy in Washington, D.C instead of a foe?11:38 What is the Railroad Commission’s approach to both encouraging energy development and making sure Texas’ consumers are protected?13:14 What is the role of the Texas Railroad Commission?14:53 What efforts are made in educating the public about energy creating and efficiency?17:35 Green New Deal, Inflation Reduction Act and other farces that mean the same thing24:41 Lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri in 2021 aka “Snowmaggedon”29:32 What is the Texas Reliable Energy Caucus?33:21 ESG - What is it and what threats does it impose?36:46 The Federal Energy Super Team that President Elect Trump is assembling 38:25 In what ways does the Railroad Commission protect the water supply for Texans?
TPPF CEO Greg Sindelar chats with Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen about the 2024 presidential election, the downstream effects the presidency will have on Texas, and the upstream effects that Texas’ local results will have on the nation.2:30 Hot Take: What is the best trilogy ever? (Matrix, Star Wars, LOTR, or… Trump?)8:11 2024 Presidential Election Analysis34:58 The Election’s impact on Texas37:06 Survey Says! There was a ‘UGE shift from Dem to Rep in Hispanic men across the country. Why? Does it mean anything?49:48 Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: Is Demography Destiny or Dead?53:14 What’s next?
TPPF’s Taxpayer Protection Project Policy Director, James Quintero, talks government transparency with Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen. They discuss the challenges citizens face requesting information from bureaucrats and policy solutions to better inform the public about how their tax dollars are being used.0:33 Hot Take: What is Trump’s fantasy football value & can he be flexed?9:49 Our current system doesn’t allow the public to remain informed10:29 Their game plan: “Disregard, Delay & Deny”29:40 Sunshine Week41:19 Survey Says: 48% of Texan Latinos back Trump (10% increase from 2020)47:01 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: subsidizing unreliable energy sources