Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin is a product of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that hosts real conversations with real parents from across Texas where they share their experiences, struggles, and victories within the Texas education system. From concerning content in public schools to classroom behavior and wins in homeschooling, Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin covers all aspects of Texas education through the parents eyes—and asks how we can ensure transparency, quality, respect, and choice for all Texas parents, students, and taxpayers.

  1. 22h ago

    Conroe ISD Is Challenging the Education Cartel

    How did Conroe ISD's school board challenge the education cartel? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Conroe ISD school board members Misty Odenweller, Nicole May, and Melissa Dungan. They discuss why they are challenging the growing influence of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The four discuss how Conroe ISD is fighting to restore local control, transparency, and accountability in public education.

  2. 4d ago

    Exposing Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying with Ben Crockett | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

    Exposing the truth about taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas. In this episode of Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, Mandy sits down with TPPF policy scholar Ben Crockett to uncover how millions of taxpayer dollars are being funneled to lobbying organizations, activist nonprofits, political advocacy groups, and special interests that many Texans never intended to fund. The discussion explores how local governments use public money to finance organizations that lobby elected officials, influence legislation, engage in political activism, and advocate for policies that many taxpayers oppose. Mandy and Ben examine examples from major Texas cities, discuss the growing role of nonprofit organizations in local government spending, and explain why banning taxpayer-funded lobbying has become a top priority for government transparency and accountability advocates. In this episode: What taxpayer-funded lobbying is and how it worksWhy Texas taxpayers are paying governments to lobby other governmentsLocal government grants to activist organizationsThe connection between lobbying, political action committees (PACs), and taxpayer dollarsWhy advocates say government should focus on core services instead of political activismPolicy solutions to improve transparency and reduce government waste If you care about property taxes, government accountability, transparency, limited government, and protecting Texas taxpayers, this episode breaks down one of the most controversial issues facing the Texas Legislature. 👍 Like this video if you support government transparency.💬 Share your thoughts in the comments: Should taxpayer-funded lobbying be banned in Texas?🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on Texas policy, education reform, property taxes, and empowering parents.

  3. Jul 17

    Taking Down the Education Cartel with Carroll ISD Leadership

    How did Carroll ISD leadership take on the education cartel and win? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Carroll ISD School Board President Cam Bryan and Vice President Andrew Yeager to discuss how they challenged the education establishment, fought the education cartel, and helped turn Carroll ISD into a model for academic excellence. Cam and Andrew fought to eliminate DEI initiatives, reduce reliance on classroom technology, increase academic achievement, and break away from the influence of organizations like TASB. The two share how strong local leadership can transform public education and put students first.

  4. Jul 9

    How the Bond Process is Being Used Against Taxpayers

    Texans are paying more in property taxes, but where is the promised tax relief? In this episode of Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, Mandy sits down with Judge Shepard to expose how the Texas school bond process has been hijacked by an education cartel that profits from billions in taxpayer-funded debt. Based on Judge Shepard's groundbreaking research paper this conversation uncovers the network of architects, engineering firms, consultants, lobbyists, and political action committees driving massive school bond elections across Texas. Learn how a handful of firms make small donations to school bond PACs, then receive millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded contracts after bonds pass. The discussion also examines why property tax relief from the Texas Legislature often fails to reach homeowners, how school district debt has ballooned to $236 billion, and what reforms could restore transparency and accountability. In this video:How Texas school bond elections really workThe "education cartel" and its financial incentivesWhy property taxes continue to rise despite legislative tax reliefHow bond PACs influence local electionsThe role of architects, engineering firms, consultants, and taxpayer-funded lobbyistsWhy May bond elections have low voter turnoutProposed reforms to protect Texas taxpayersThe controversy surrounding Barbers Hill ISD's Education FoundationRecommendations to increase transparency and stop conflicts of interest If you care about Texas property taxes, school finance, government transparency, education reform, taxpayer rights, or local government accountability, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

  5. Jul 2

    What Education Freedom Means for Texas Families

    What happens when Texas families are empowered with educational freedom? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with City School Austin's Head of School Karon Law and board member Travis Reese to discuss how Education Freedom Accounts are creating new opportunities for Texas families and allowing schools to better serve students with diverse learning needs. From supporting students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences to helping low-income families access a high-quality education, City School shares how educational freedom is transforming lives, building student confidence, and expanding opportunities for children across Texas.

  6. Jun 25

    A Former Iranian's Warning for America w/ Julie Ruehle

    What can Texans learn from someone who watched their freedom disappear firsthand? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former Iranian citizen Julie Ruehle to discuss her experience living through Iran’s Islamic Revolution and the lessons it holds for America today. Julie shares how the Iranian Revolution transformed life for women, silenced political opposition, and dismantled personal freedoms.

  7. Jun 18

    Battling the Big Education Cartel with Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

    Why are Texas property taxes still rising despite record education spending? Why has Texas school district debt ballooned to hundreds of billions of dollars? And how are taxpayer-funded lobbyists, education foundations, and public-private partnerships impacting local taxpayers? In this eye-opening episode of Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, Texas State Representative Terri Leo-Wilson (HD-23) joins Mandy to expose what she calls the "education cartel" and the powerful network of school districts, developers, consultants, lobbyists, and special interests driving debt, property tax increases, and political lawfare across Texas. Rep. Leo-Wilson discusses:✅ Texas school district debt and rising property taxes✅ Education foundations and financial transparency concerns✅ Public-private partnership (P3) agreements✅ Taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas✅ Political targeting and lawfare against elected officials✅ School bond elections and local government spending✅ TEA investigations and accountability efforts✅ Property tax reform and taxpayer protections✅ Government transparency and public accountability✅ The future of education policy in Texas This conversation dives into the intersection of education policy, taxpayer rights, government transparency, school finance, and political influence in Texas. If you're concerned about property taxes, school spending, government accountability, or education reform, this is a discussion you won't want to miss.

  8. Jun 11

    Parents Know Best: Hadley’s Story w/ Hadley & Taryn

    Why are Texas parents of special needs students leaving public schools for specialized private options? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Taryn, a mom to Hadley and a paraprofessional at Oak Creek Academy in Killeen, Texas, along with Hadley herself. Taryn shares their powerful journey from frustrating public school experiences, including the loss of sign language support, ineffective “inclusion” practices, limited therapies, and behavioral challenges, to finding real hope at a private school built specifically for students with special needs. They discuss how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are a lifeline of freedom for parents by direct funding to the environment where their child can thrive, instead of being stuck based on their zip code.

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About

Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin is a product of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that hosts real conversations with real parents from across Texas where they share their experiences, struggles, and victories within the Texas education system. From concerning content in public schools to classroom behavior and wins in homeschooling, Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin covers all aspects of Texas education through the parents eyes—and asks how we can ensure transparency, quality, respect, and choice for all Texas parents, students, and taxpayers.

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