The Right Idea

Texas Public Policy Foundation
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The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.

  1. 11/12/2025

    Texas Politics 2025: Biggest Wins, Redistricting Shockwaves, & 2026 Senate Race Shake-Up with Brad Johnson

    In this year-end special, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Brad Johnson, Senior Reporter & Managing Editor at The Texan News, to recap the biggest political stories of 2025 and what they mean heading into the 2026 cycle. From the unexpected twists in the Texas Senate race, to the fallout of mid-decade redistricting, to the biggest legislative wins and disappointments, this episode covers it all. We also unveil our Politician of the Year and Texan of the Year awards. 3:35 – Hot Take: Jasmine Crockett jumps into the 2026 Senate race9:10 – DLCC targets the Texas House for 202611:43 – Democrats field candidates in every statewide/federal race13:11 – Why Dems still struggle to build a top-tier slate16:20 – 2025 Legislative Session recap: Was 2025 the most conservative Texas legislative session ever?18:38 – Biggest wins of the year: Burrows, bail reform, ESAs, border23:42 – Biggest disappointments: energy, tariffs, healthcare messaging31:07 – Biggest story of 2025: Mid-decade redistricting; the THC fight and its ripple effects35:10 – Under-the-radar wins: DEI enforcement & agency elimination44:25 – Politician of the Year awards55:19 – New Year’s resolutions for 2026

    59 min

  2. 04/12/2025

    Housing Crisis Explained: Why Homes Are Unaffordable in 2025 & Real Solutions with Sean Dobson

    Why is buying a home harder than ever in 2025 — even worse than 2007? Sean Dobson, Chairman & CEO of Amherst (one of America’s largest real estate investment firms), joins The Right Idea to break down the real drivers of the housing affordability crisis and what can actually fix it. We dive deep into labor costs, local regulations, property taxes, garages nobody uses, the future of renting vs. owning, immigration’s impact on construction, and why gimmicks like 50-year mortgages or rent control won’t solve anything. If you want to understand why young families can’t buy homes anymore — and what policymakers should actually do — this is the episode.  01:14 – Hot Take: Why the Epstein file release won’t end the conspiracies03:06 – Today’s guest: Sean Dobson (CEO of Amherst)04:12 – What actually goes into the cost of building a house? (2/3 labor!)05:58 – Modular homes, factory construction, and why it’s still only single-digit savings09:15 – Can the average person even build their own house today?10:34 – How local regulations silently drive up costs11:26 – The $55,000 garage nobody parks in14:29 – California’s ADU precedent & state vs. city power17:20 – 2025 affordability worse than 2007? Here’s why22:11 – Why politicians keep floating 50-year mortgages & subprime 2.024:19 – What does “affordable” even mean? (The 1/3 income rule)26:07 – Texas property taxes: 40%+ of your housing cost?!30:37 – Renting is not failure: Why the “American Dream” narrative is outdated33:31 – The real labor crisis in construction (and immigration’s role)39:53 – Rent control: Why it always backfires42:26 – Sean’s magic wand fix: Restore credit access & rename the “subprime” crisis

    44 min

  3. 24/11/2025

    Texas Medical Association Captured by Gender Ideology? Feat. Dr. Lisa Ehrlich & Joseph Figliolia

    In this episode of The Right Idea, TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen break down how political activism has seeped into Texas healthcare — influencing diagnoses, treatments, and public policy. They’re joined by Dr. Lisa Ehrlich, internal medicine physician and former TMA trustee, and Joseph Figliolia, Manhattan Institute policy analyst and author of a major report on the TMA’s drift into ideological advocacy. Together, they examine:* How the TMA embraced gender-affirming care despite weak evidence* Why many physicians feel silenced* How institutional capture happens inside medical organizations* The impact on children, parents, lawmakers, and the practice of medicine* What reforms are needed to bring medicine back to evidence-based practice 00:30 – Thanksgiving politics & family discussions03:40 – Today’s topic: Gender ideology in healthcare05:18 – Guest introductions: Dr. Ehrlich & Joseph Figliolia05:42 – Why Joseph investigated the TMA07:23 – Is the TMA doubling down despite national pushback?09:07 – Evidence problems & reversals in Europe10:25 – Dr. Ehrlich: What clinicians saw on the ground11:38 – Social contagion & the rise of gender questioning13:12 – Vulnerable populations & patterns emerging14:58 – Why endocrinology led the shift16:02 – “Science by consensus” and activist medicine17:36 – The problem with WPATH & activist guidelines18:33 – How TMA was captured: institutional mechanics19:23 – Why doctors stay silent20:57 – Fear of being labeled discriminatory22:08 – Dr. Ehrlich: Intimidation inside the TMA23:56 – Identity sections and cultural politicization25:05 – Personal attacks vs scientific debate26:31 – Medicine requiring ideological pre-commitments?27:55 – Historical parallels (e.g., lobotomies)28:58 – Pandemic mandates & ethical shifts31:09 – Three separate issues: dysphoria, treatment, ideology32:57 – Suicide risk, treatment failures, evidence gaps34:18 – Is someone funding this movement?36:01 – TMA’s definitions avoid “gender dysphoria” entirely37:44 – The financial incentives behind affirming care38:39 – Do associations influence medical boards?41:15 – How TMA influences Texas policy42:07 – Is Texas protecting kids effectively?43:30 – Evidence-based standards being ignored44:56 – CME problems: outdated, debunked studies45:14 – Can the TMA be fixed?47:34 – Structural governance problems49:24 – What shoe drops next?51:07 – The comprehensive HHS gender dysphoria review51:35 – Dr. Ehrlich’s advice for physicians afraid to speak up

    56 min

  4. 14/11/2025

    Texas Property Taxes EXPOSED: Why Bills Skyrocket & Gov. Abbott’s Bold Fix

    Texas homeowners are furious—83% say property taxes are a major burden! In this deep-dive episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips and TPPF experts James Quintero and Jose Melendez break down why property taxes exploded after 2014, how local governments game appraisals & bonds, and Governor Greg Abbott’s aggressive new plan to finally crush the burden. From $91 billion in bond elections to Austin’s 121% tax levy growth, we expose the spending sprees, wasteful logos, and “Taj Mahal” stadiums. Learn how voter turnout in May vs. November lets special interests sneak through hikes—and why super-majority votes, appraisal caps, and taxpayer-triggered cuts could change everything. 00:02:05 – Hot Take: 50-Year Mortgages & Christmas Lights Drama00:06:06 – The Hockey Stick Graph: Taxes Up 400% Since 199800:19:10 – Rate Hikes & VATRE Elections00:24:14 – Poll: Texans Don't Know Who Sets Their Tax Bill00:29:28 – State vs. Local Blame: Legislature Can Rein In Locals00:31:09 – Budgets Growing 2x Faster Than Population + Inflation00:38:32 – AG Paxton Sues Cities for Skipping Audits Before Hikes00:46:05 – Appraisal Shell Game: Values Up 138%, Rates Down 7% = 121% Levy Boom00:55:19 – Lightning Round: Abbott’s 6-Point Plan Breakdown00:55:54 – Require 2/3rds voter approval for tax increases00:59:07 – Eliminate M&O School Taxes01:02:11 – Create Appraisal Predictability, Cap Appraisal Growth01:03:24 – Require Common Sense Local Spending Limits01:05:44 – Switch to Appraisals Taking Place Only Once Every Five Years01:08:18 – TAXPAYER TRIGGER: 15% Signatures = Force Tax-Cut Vote01:12:05 – Can we pass this in ONE Session like School Choice? REFERENCED: Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government on SB 9

    1h 15m

  5. 03/11/2025

    LIVE from the Texas Federation of Republican Women Conference

    In the 100th episode extravaganza, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen talk to leading conservative voices at the 2025 TFRW Conference in San Antonio.   6:51 Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner 17:40 Deborah Wall, Camino Real Republican Women President 49:47 Jim Wright, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman 1:05:02 Mary Elise Cosgray, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Texan 1:34:04 Grant Moody, Bexar County Commissioner  1:47:21 Congressman Nathaniel Moran 2:12:52 Misty Spears, San Antonio City Council Member 2:27:39 Jill Tate, Texas Federation of Republican Women President 3:00:39 Texas State Senator Pete Flores (SD-24) 3:21:59 Wrap up

    3h 26m

  6. 15/10/2025

    Does More Money Mean Better Schools? | Eric Hanushek on Education Spending & Teacher Quality

    Is more school funding really the key to better student outcomes—or does how we spend matter more than how much? In this episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips and TPPF’s Andrew Brown sit down with Dr. Eric “Rick” Hanushek, Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, to explore one of education’s toughest questions: Do dollars drive results—or does design and discipline matter more? Dr. Hanushek is one of the world’s leading experts on the economics of education. His groundbreaking research has shaped how policymakers think about teacher quality, school finance reform, and student achievement. Together, the panel dives deep into: The myth that more spending equals better outcomesTexas’ $100B+ public education budgetWhat’s working in Dallas, Houston, and Washington, D.C.The rise of administrative bloat in public schoolsTeacher pay, accountability, and school choice • • The impact of AI in the classroom and the future of learning

    46 min

  7. 07/10/2025

    What Are We Teaching the Teachers? Exposing Indoctrination in Education w/ Ken Pope

    Hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen dive into the critical issue of indoctrination in K-12 education with special guest Ken Pope, CEO of the Coalition for Empowered Education and Senior Fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. They discuss how Colleges of Education are shaping teachers with ideological agendas, the impact on classrooms, and solutions to restore critical thinking and balanced education. From Marxist influences to grassroots efforts, this conversation uncovers the challenges parents face and how to combat politicized curricula. 00:30 - Brian and Derek catch up: New baby and festival banter01:27 - Hot Take: Craziest band names at ACL 2025 (Wet Leg, Spacey Jane, Panda Bear, Dr. Dog)04:00 - Introducing Ken Pope: CEO of Coalition for Empowered Education06:47 - How Colleges of Education have shifted to ideological indoctrination08:52 - The long march of critical theory in academia12:03 - Exposure vs. Indoctrination: What’s the difference?14:57 - From Marxism to modern victimology: Evolution of classroom ideologies17:16 - Are teachers trained to be activists?19:43 - The disconnect between parents and teachers’ goals21:20 - Indoctrination in rural and urban schools alike23:35 - What are education students actually learning?24:27 - Shocking examples from social studies conferences29:51 - Coalition for Empowered Education’s mission to retrain teachers33:56 - Legislative and grassroots solutions to reform teacher training37:46 - Universities doing it right: Hillsdale, UATX, and others40:56 - Why mandate Colleges of Education? Alternative teacher certification44:39 - Red flags for parents: How to spot indoctrination in classrooms49:56 - How to connect with the Coalition for Empowered Education50:28 - Closing thoughts and Sam Houston’s wisdom Coalition for Empowered Education: https://cee.org Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation: https://victimsofcommunism.org

    51 min

  8. 27/08/2025

    Texas Rep. Cole Hefner on Property Taxes, Quorum Breaks, and Protecting Texas

    TPPF's Derek Cohen and Jose Melendez catch up on the latest from the 89th Legislative Session and subsequent special sessions with Rep. Cole Hefner. They dive into the quorum break that put Texas in the national political spotlight before discussing policy issues like property tax reform, taxpayer-funded lobbying, housing affordability, and safeguarding Texas from foreign adversaries. 00:53 – Hot Take: Jose Melendez on the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon04:12 – Rep. Cole Hefner: From Citizen to Chairman – His Journey to Public Service06:19 – Addressing Quorum Breaks: Stiffer Penalties and Legislative Challenges07:10 – Priorities for the Current Special Session08:59 – Property Taxes: Balancing State Relief and Local Government Accountability11:09 – Appraisal Reform: Ensuring Fairness and Predictability12:40 – Banning Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying15:04 – Housing Affordability: HB 840 and Revitalizing Downtown Texas17:56 – SB 17: Protecting Texas Land from Hostile Foreign Adversaries22:50 – TRACE Act and Protecting Texas Schools from Foreign Influence25:42 – Senate Bill 1362: Banning Red Flag Laws and Upholding Due Process30:16 – Transportation: Addressing CDL Standards and Interstate Challenges33:17 – Water Issues in Texas: Balancing Growth and Private Property Rights36:15 – Looking Ahead: Key Issues for the 90th Legislative Session41:14 – Survey Says: Addressing Voter Discontent with Government Responsiveness

    50 min
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About

The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.

Information

  • Creator
    Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2024 Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • Show Website
    The Right Idea

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