Baker Briefing Baker Institute at Rice University

Legislative attempts to undermine church-state separation in Texas reached a crescendo in 2023, according to a recent report from nonresident scholar David Brockman. This episode features a conversation between Brockman and fellow Ed Emmett on three high-profile bills introduced by Texas lawmakers in 2023 and their connection to a broader movement that seeks to privilege Christianity in public schools.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review. 
Discussants
David Brockman, Ph.D.
Nonresident Fellow
Ed Emmett
Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy
This conversation was recorded on April 18, 2024.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire just marked his first 100 days in office. In that time he’s taken steps intended to improve the city's finances, public safety, infrastructure, mobility options, and delivery of services.
This special episode features an armchair conversation between Whitmire and Ed Emmett, a Baker Institute fellow and former Harris County judge, on the past and future of Houston. The event was held on April 3 in front of a live audience at Rice University.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review. 
Discussants
John Whitmire
63rd Mayor of the City of Houston
Ed Emmett
Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on April 3, 2024. Watch the video recording here.

Since Winter Storm Uri knocked out power throughout Texas in February 2021, causing billions of dollars in damage and hundreds of deaths, preparing the Texas grid for extreme weather has been a top priority for the state. But the power grid — serviced by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) — faces other pressures, too. Population growth, economic expansion, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and cryptocurrency mining have all placed increased demands on the state’s energy infrastructure. In this episode, experts in energy and economics explore how Texas can adapt the grid to meet the its evolving energy needs.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants Peter R. Hartley, Ph.D.
Baker Institute Rice Faculty Scholar and George A. Peterkin Professor of Economics, Rice University
Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D.
James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies
Ed Emmett
Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy
This conversation was recorded on April 1, 2024. Read our latest research on the Texas grid.

On Jan. 13, Taiwanese voters elected William Lai, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and a separatist in the eyes of Beijing, to be their next president. Experts discuss what Lai’s victory means for the island's energy policy, cross-strait relations, and push for sovereignty.
Discussants Gabriel Collins
Baker Botts Fellow in Energy & Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Baker Institute
Shih Yu (Elsie) Hung
Research Manager, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D.
C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, Baker Institute
The Honorable David M. Satterfield
Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; Former Ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey
This conversation was recorded on March 25, 2024. Read our latest research on Taiwan.

On June 2, Mexico will hold its largest elections ever. Voters will decide whether or not the ruling left-wing MORENA party will stay in power. Meanwhile, in the U.S., election season is heating up, and the southern border is top of mind for voters and politicians alike. On this episode, Tony Payan, Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez, and Ed Emmett discuss what's ahead for Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations.
Discussants:
Tony Payan, Ph.D.
Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute
Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez
Research Scholar, Baker Institute
Edward M. Emmett
Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on March 19, 2024. The associated report, “Mexico Country Outlook 2024” was published on Jan. 18, 2024.

The U.S. child care industry has faced major challenges in recent years, including high staff turnover and a shortage of providers — particularly affordable ones. These issues only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought the growing child care crisis into focus. As $39 billion in child care assistance funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) began to phase out in September 2023, onlookers warned that up to 3 million children could experience disruptions in child care nationwide — a “child care cliff.” Join and fellows Ed Emmett and Dr. Joyce Beebe as they discuss the state of childcare in the US, and evaluate a variety of policy solutions.
Discussants:
Edward M. Emmet, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
Dr. Joyce Beebe, Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on January 31st, 2024. The associated report, “Prime for Overhaul: Policy Tools for Solving the Child Care Crisis,” was published on January 17th, 2024.