Texas Briefing

Baker Institute
Baker Institute
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Politics
  • Series

“Texas Briefing” brings expert insight to the policy challenges shaping life in the Lone Star State. Through topical miniseries, scholars from Rice University’s Baker Institute and their guests untangle issues in health, the economy, climate resilience, and more to understand how policy matters are impacting communities from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. Subscribe and listen to “Texas Briefing” wherever you listen to podcasts.

  1. Episode 2

    Texas’ New Hemp Rules and the Future of Cannabis Policy

    Texas has rolled out new hemp regulations that are reshaping the state’s cannabis landscape — restricting smokable products, tightening oversight, and raising new questions about public health, enforcement, and market impacts. Host Edward M. Emmett sits down with Katharine Neill Harris to examine what has changed, why it matters, and how the new rules fit into broader state and federal policy trends. This conversation was recorded on April 1, 2026. Learn more about the “Texas Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

  2. Episode 3

    Balancing Healthcare Innovation and Accountability in Medicaid Managed Care Programs

    Medicaid managed care offers states new opportunities to improve health outcomes by addressing non-medical drivers of health, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and limited access to community services.  At the same time, the program also raises questions about cost, accountability, and the appropriate scope of coverage.  Fellow Charles Mathias sits down with Chief Medical Officer of Mercy Care Dr. Charlton Wilson,, who oversees a nonprofit health plan serving Medicaid recipients in Arizona. Together, they examine how states can use managed care, federal waivers, value-added benefits, and community reinvestment strategies to encourage healthcare innovation while maintaining public trust. Featured: Charles Mathias, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/charles-w-mathias.  Dr. Charlton Wilson, https://healthpolicyfellows.org/fellows/charlton-wilson/. This episode was recorded on Feb. 5, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

  3. 06/05/2025

    Introducing the ‘Texas Briefing’ Podcast

    Introducing “Texas Briefing,” a new podcast that brings expert insights into the challenges shaping life in the Lone Star State. Institute scholars and their guests will untangle issues in health, the economy, climate resilience, and more to understand how policy matters are impacting communities, from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast.   In our first series, senior health policy fellow Elena Marks explores issues in reproductive health — including new abortion legislation, teen access to contraception, and the impact of the abortion ban on the state’s OB-GYN workforce pipeline — with guests Eleanor Klibanoff of The Texas Tribune, Kari White of Resound Research for Reproductive Health, and Manatt Health’s Alex Morin.   Listen to the first two episodes in the series now, wherever you get your podcasts.   Learn more on our website: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/texas-briefing  You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

    Introducing the ‘Texas Briefing’ Podcast

  4. 06/05/2025

    Will New Abortion Legislation Save Pregnant Patients’ Lives?

    This is Episode 1 in our miniseries on reproductive health in Texas — where we have world-class health facilities, yet rank near the bottom when it comes to women’s health outcomes. Eleanor Klibanoff, the law and politics reporter and former women’s health reporter at the Texas Tribune, joined senior health policy fellow Elena Marks to discuss new abortion legislation in Texas that aims to clarify when doctors can perform emergency abortions.   Senate Bill 31, or the Life of the Mother Act, was passed by the Texas House in late May and awaits passage by Gov. Greg Abbott.   Eleanor and Elena explored the bipartisan support for the legislation and whether it goes far enough to clarify the only exception allowed by the state’s abortion ban — to save the life of the pregnant patient — following numerous reports of women who died or nearly died after being denied abortions by doctors who were confused by the law or too fearful of strict penalties to intervene.   They also discussed SB 2880, or the Women and Child Protection Act, which was in committee at the time of recording. This bill, which would have expanded penalties for violating the abortion ban, ultimately died in the Texas House with the end of the state legislative session on June 2.   Featured: Eleanor Klibanoff, https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eleanor-klibanoff/ Elena Marks, J.D., MPH, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/elena-m-marks  This conversation was recorded on May 9, 2025.  A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/43XeW9g  You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

    Will New Abortion Legislation Save Pregnant Patients’ Lives?

  5. 06/05/2025

    Should Teens Need Parental Permission to Access Birth Control?

    This is Episode 2 in our miniseries on reproductive health in Texas — where we have world-class health facilities, yet rank near the bottom when it comes to women’s health outcomes. Kari White, the Baker Institute’s new nonresident fellow in maternal and reproductive health, joins senior health policy fellow Elena Marks to discuss teenagers’ access to confidential contraceptive care.   Texas, which has one of the country’s highest rates of teen pregnancy, is one of 27 states in the U.S. that doesn’t allow minors to consent to their own contraceptive care. Kari and Elena examine the role of confidential care in teens’ health and the policy case for expanding access.   Kari is also the executive and scientific director at Resound Research for Reproductive Health and the co-author, with Laura Dixon, of a recent Baker Institute issue brief on this topic.   Featured: Kari White, Ph.D., MPH, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kari-white Elena Marks, J.D., MPH, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/elena-m-marks  This conversation was recorded on April 28, 2025. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/3HnKbBH. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

    Should Teens Need Parental Permission to Access Birth Control?

  6. 06/12/2025

    How Texas’ Abortion Ban Is Straining Its OB-GYN Workforce

    This is our third episodes in a miniseries series on reproductive health in Texas — where we have world-class health facilities, yet rank near the bottom when it comes to women’s health outcomes. Texas banned all abortions in 2022, with one exception — to save the life of the pregnant patient or “prevent substantial impairment of a major bodily function.” The law’s vague language and harsh penalties for doctors who perform abortions, including possible life imprisonment and a $100,000 fine, have left OB-GYN physicians unsure of when emergency care is legally allowed and fearful of acting outside the law.   As a result, OB-GYNs across the state are reconsidering how — and where — they practice.   Alex Morin, managing director at Manatt Health and co-author of two recent studies on the ban’s impact, joins Elena Marks to discuss how legal uncertainty around the ban is reshaping reproductive health outcomes in Texas and what it means for the state’s OB-GYN workforce pipeline.   Featured:   Alex Morin, https://www.manatt.com/alex-morin  Elena Marks, J.D., MPH, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/elena-m-marks    Mentioned in this episode: Manatt Health, Confusion, Cruelty and Fear: Delivering Reproductive Care to Women After Texas’ Abortion Ban, https://www.manatt.com/insights/white-papers/2025/health-highlights/confusion-cruelty-and-fear-delivering-reproductive-care-to-women-after-texas-abortion-ban    Manatt Health, Texas OBGYN Physician Workforce Study, https://www.manatt.com/insights/white-papers/2024/texas-obgyn-physician-workforce-study This conversation was recorded on May 29, 2025. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://bit.ly/4kzNq7U  You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

    How Texas’ Abortion Ban Is Straining Its OB-GYN Workforce

  7. 11/20/2025

    Why Can’t Texas Women Get Their Preferred Birth Control?

    More than half of Texas women can’t access their preferred birth control method — meaning they can’t use the method that works best for them. Gracia Sierra, a nonresident scholar at the Baker Institute and data scientist at Resound Research for Reproductive Health, sits down with senior health policy fellow Elena Marks to discuss how insurance status shapes access to contraception and why uninsured and publicly insured people are most likely to face barriers. Sierra also lays out policy solutions to the gap, from expanding Medicaid to strengthening existing programs for low-income Texans, from her latest co-authored report for the Baker Institute. Featured guests: Gracia Sierra, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/gracia-sierra Mentioned in this episode: Gracia Sierra et al., “Barriers to Preferred Contraceptive Use in Texas,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, November 4, 2025. This conversation was recorded on Oct. 17, 2025. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

  8. Feb 3

    Christian Nationalism and the Texas Legislature

    How has faith – particularly Christian nationalism – become a powerful force shaping Texas politics and public policy? How should policymakers approach religion? Joined by Baker Institute fellows Eric McDaniel and Mark P. Jones, guest host Michael O. Emerson unpacks what Christian nationalism is, how it differs from religious conservatism, and why Texas has emerged as a key testing ground for its political influence. From abortion policy and education vouchers to immigration, gender identity, and higher education, the conversation explores how religiously framed ideas motivate lawmakers. Featured guests: Eric McDaniel, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/eric-mcdaniel  Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/mark-p-jones  Mentioned in this episode: Texas House Bill 7, 89th Leg., S.S., 2025, https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB7/2025/X2. Texas Senate Bill 8, 89th Leg., S.S., 2025, https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB8/2025/X2. Texas Senate Bill 2, 89th Leg., R.S., 2025, https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB2/2025.  Texas Senate Bill 10, 89th Leg., R.S., 2025, https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00010I.pdf. Jo Yurcaba, “Texas A&M Fires Professor Over Gender-Identity Lesson in Literature Course,” NBC News, https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/texas-m-fires-professor-gender-identity-lesson-literature-course-rcna230337. This is the first episode in a four-part series, “Between Pulpit and Policy,” exploring the rising influence of faith, particularly Christian nationalism, in Texas politics — and how it’s transforming public policy and governance. The series was produced in partnership with the Baker Institute Student Forum. This conversation was recorded on Oct. 17, 2025. Learn about future recordings of the “Texas Briefing” podcast by subscribing to our “Events Digest” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

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“Texas Briefing” brings expert insight to the policy challenges shaping life in the Lone Star State. Through topical miniseries, scholars from Rice University’s Baker Institute and their guests untangle issues in health, the economy, climate resilience, and more to understand how policy matters are impacting communities from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. Subscribe and listen to “Texas Briefing” wherever you listen to podcasts.

Information

  • Channel
    Baker Institute
  • Creator
    Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
  • Show Website
    Texas Briefing

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