Texas Talks

Texas Talks

Texas Talks with Brad Swail, brought to you by the Texas Dispatch, is a weekly podcast that features wide-ranging discussions with the people, organizations, and businesses that shape public policy in Texas. Texas Talks aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the policy debates and reasons and insight into the personalities that shape public policy in Texas.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 123 - Texas Tech, Higher Education Reform, & the Future of AI w/Chancellor Brandon Creighton

    What will higher education look like in an age of artificial intelligence, and how can Texas universities make sure their degrees continue to deliver value? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Brandon Creighton, Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System and former Texas state senator and representative, to discuss higher education reform, artificial intelligence, and his vision for Texas Tech’s future. Creighton reflects on his transition from writing higher education policy in the Texas Legislature to implementing it as chancellor, including Texas Tech’s review of roughly 14,000 courses under Senate Bill 37. He discusses curriculum reform, degrees of value, workforce needs, and how universities must adapt as AI rapidly changes both education and the private sector. The conversation also explores Texas Tech’s work with NVIDIA, its plans for advanced AI computing infrastructure, and the potential applications for healthcare research, energy, national security, and other major challenges facing Texas. The episode covers: Senate Bill 37 and higher education reform Texas Tech’s review of roughly 14,000 courses Preparing students and universities for AI Texas Tech’s work with NVIDIA and advanced computing AI research, healthcare, energy, and national security Creighton’s priorities heading into the 90th Texas Legislature Creighton ultimately argues that Texas universities have an opportunity to lead rather than follow as AI transforms education, research, and the economy—summarizing his approach with a simple warning: “You’re either designing the menu or you’re on it.” 00:00 — Introduction 00:23 — Brandon Creighton’s move from the Legislature to Texas Tech 02:39 — Creighton’s background and interest in education 04:30 — What is Senate Bill 37? 07:37 — From writing SB 37 to implementing it 09:34 — Reviewing 14,000 Texas Tech courses 12:15 — Curriculum reform and degrees of value 14:06 — Texas Tech’s approach to higher education reform 16:18 — What could come next for SB 37? 17:30 — Preparing Texas Tech for the AI era 21:00 — Students, AI, and academic integrity 25:08 — Texas Tech’s NVIDIA partnership 29:09 — Sovereign data independence and national security 32:08 — Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature 33:41 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 123 - Texas Tech, Higher Education Reform, & the Future of AI w/Chancellor Brandon Creighton

  2. Jul 30

    Ep. 122 - Texas Healthcare, Education Funding, & Property Taxes w/Rep. Donna Howard

    How can Texas improve healthcare access, strengthen public education, and prepare its workforce while balancing competing budget priorities? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail welcomes State Representative Donna Howard, who represents House District 48, for a wide-ranging conversation on healthcare, higher education, workforce development, public school funding, and the state's fiscal outlook. As Vice Chair of both the House Higher Education Committee and Article II Appropriations, Howard offers insight into some of the biggest policy debates facing Texas ahead of the next legislative session. The discussion explores the challenges of funding public education, improving rural healthcare access, expanding workforce training through community colleges, and addressing shortages of nurses and healthcare providers. Howard also discusses property tax relief, the Sunset Commission's ongoing review of health agencies, dementia research, and how lawmakers are preparing for the state's next budget cycle. The episode covers: Texas public education funding and property taxes Community colleges, workforce development, and credentials of value Rural healthcare access and provider shortages Expanding the role of nurse practitioners Sunset Commission priorities and state health agencies Texas budget outlook heading into the next legislative session Howard also discusses child healthcare, Medicaid enrollment challenges, maternal healthcare deserts, medical research, housing growth, local infrastructure, and the difficult balancing act legislators face when weighing competing policy priorities. 00:00 — Community college funding controversy 00:33 — Introducing Rep. Donna Howard 02:06 — Sunset Commission and health agency review 04:10 — Children's healthcare and Medicaid challenges 07:23 — Public education funding and state mandates 08:17 — Community colleges and workforce outcomes 10:34 — Higher education priorities 12:22 — Nursing shortages and workforce development 16:28 — Education funding and ESAs 17:45 — Property taxes and state revenue challenges 25:05 — Rural healthcare and maternal health access 27:16 — Nurse practitioners and healthcare shortages 32:58 — Dementia research and medical innovation 36:25 — Housing growth, infrastructure, and local planning 40:35 — Texas budget outlook and closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 122 - Texas Healthcare, Education Funding, & Property Taxes w/Rep. Donna Howard

  3. Jul 23

    Ep. 121 - Texas Housing Affordability & the Next Legislative Session w/Chairman Gary Gates

    Texas Talks host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Gary Gates, Chairman of the House Land and Resource Management Committee and longtime Fort Bend County representative.  As one of the Legislature’s leading voices on housing policy, Chairman Gates breaks down the interim hearings focused on restoring affordability across Texas. The conversation covers the real-world impact of recent bills, aggressive local pushback from cities, and bold solutions to cut red tape and deliver more attainable housing.  Major topics include: • The dramatic rise in home prices and interest rates since 2020 and their effect on Texas families • SB 840 and by-right conversion of offices/retail into housing • SB 15 and reduced minimum lot sizes to increase supply without disrupting established neighborhoods • Local resistance tactics — from Olympic-sized pool mandates to public art fees and three-bedroom requirements • Impact fees, their unintended consequences, and why they drive prices higher • Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), transparency, and their role in financing rapid growth • Third-party plan reviews and inspections to speed development and lower costs • The balance between state leadership and legitimate local concerns  Chairman Gates shares how the committee is preparing strong legislation for the 90th Session and why housing affordability remains a top priority for Texas leadership.  00:00 Intro & Welcome 01:13 Rep. Gary Gates Background & Committee Role 02:42 Interim Hearings Process & Preparation 05:11 Housing Affordability Crisis in Texas 08:50 Review of Key Bills: SB 840, SB 15 & Others 10:13 Local Resistance & City Ordinances 13:49 Why Cities Are Pushing Back (NIMBYism) 17:35 State vs Local Control Debate 21:15 Infrastructure & State Support for Growth 24:01 Supply Shortage vs Affordability Problem 28:10 Balancing Neighborhood Character & New Housing 30:44 Impact Fees & Their Real Effects 37:14 Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) Explained 44:32 What Success Looks Like Next Session 48:21 Closing Thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 121 - Texas Housing Affordability & the Next Legislative Session w/Chairman Gary Gates

  4. Jul 17

    Ep. 120 - Texas THC Ban, the Housing Fight & MUDs — What's Coming in 2027

    "The Municipal Utility Districts hearing discussed in this episode is before the House Committee on Land & Resource Management, chaired by Rep. Gary Gates - not the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee." What are the biggest public policy debates unfolding in Texas today? In this solo episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail examines three major issues likely to shape the next legislative session: housing affordability, municipal utility districts (MUDs), and the ongoing debate over consumable THC products. Drawing on recent legislative hearings and policy developments, Brad explains what's happening, why it matters, and what Texans should watch as lawmakers prepare for 2027. The episode covers: Texas' housing affordability reforms and local zoning disputes Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and their impact on homeowners The ongoing debate over THC regulation and public health How legislative interim hearings shape future policy What Texans should expect heading into the 2027 legislative session Throughout the episode, Brad provides context for each issue, outlines the competing arguments on all sides, and explains how today's committee hearings often become tomorrow's legislation. 00:00 — Intro 00:30 — Housing affordability and zoning reform 06:09 — Understanding Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) 11:50 — Texas' THC debate and what's next 17:00 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 120 - Texas THC Ban, the Housing Fight & MUDs — What's Coming in 2027

  5. Jul 9

    Ep. 119 - Will Data Centers Quadruple Texas Power Demand? Mark Bell, AECT CEO Explains

    Can Texas' electric grid keep up with the explosive growth of AI, data centers, and a rapidly expanding population? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Mark Bell, President and CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT), to discuss the future of the Texas electric grid, the unprecedented demand for electricity, and how the state is preparing for the next generation of economic growth. Bell explains why Texas has become one of the nation's leading destinations for new industry, how AI-driven data centers are changing long-term electricity planning, and what lawmakers, regulators, and utilities are doing to ensure the grid remains reliable and affordable. The conversation covers: Texas' rapid electricity demand and population growth AI data centers and their impact on the electric grid ERCOT's long-term planning and transmission expansion Senate Bill 6 and new rules for large energy users Who pays for new grid infrastructure? Nuclear energy, batteries, renewables, and natural gas Why Texas remains one of the nation's most affordable electricity markets The discussion also explores how competitive electricity markets work, why new transmission lines are needed regardless of data center growth, and how Texas utilities are preparing to meet future demand while protecting residential ratepayers. 00:00 — Texas' exploding electricity demand 00:22 — Intro & Meet Mark Bell 03:22 — Why the grid conversation has changed 06:04 — AI data centers and future demand 11:16 — ERCOT's interconnection queue explained 16:15 — Building the next generation of power 20:11 — Who pays for grid expansion? 28:22 — Senate Bill 6 and new grid rules 30:55 — Local concerns about data centers 34:03 — What comes next for the Texas grid? 38:03 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 119 - Will Data Centers Quadruple Texas Power Demand? Mark Bell, AECT CEO Explains

  6. Jul 2

    Ep. 118 - Data Centers Are Coming to Texas — But Who Pays for the Water & Power? | Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

    How should Texas prepare for rapid growth, extreme weather, and increasing demands on its infrastructure? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt to discuss the state's response to flooding, water infrastructure, data centers, public education funding, property taxes, and redistricting. Sen. Eckhardt reflects on the aftermath of the devastating Central Texas floods, arguing that while progress has been made, key recommendations on emergency communications and floodplain regulations remain unaddressed. She also explains why long-term investments in water infrastructure and disaster preparedness are becoming increasingly important as Texas continues to grow. The conversation covers: Lessons learned from recent Texas flooding Emergency response and radio interoperability Water infrastructure, drought, and desalination Data centers, energy demand, and water consumption Public education funding and property taxes Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school finance Texas redistricting and the state's political future The discussion also explores balancing state and local authority, managing Texas' continued population growth, and how policymakers can prepare for future infrastructure challenges while maintaining affordability for Texans. 00:00 — Intro & Sen. Sarah Eckhardt joins the show 01:51 — Texas flood preparedness one year later 09:47 — Building standards and floodplain development 16:14 — Water infrastructure and drought concerns 21:05 — Data centers and Texas growth 27:00 — Public education funding and ESAs 38:44 — Redistricting and Texas politics 43:26 — Final thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 118 - Data Centers Are Coming to Texas — But Who Pays for the Water & Power? | Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

  7. Jun 25

    Ep. 117 - AI, Transparency & Taxpayer Savings: Lessons from Virginia

    Can artificial intelligence help make government more efficient while saving taxpayers and businesses billions of dollars? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Reeve Bull, Policy Director at the Fulcrum Foundation and former Director of the Office of Regulatory Management under Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, to discuss one of the nation's most successful state regulatory reform efforts—and how Texas is building on that success with artificial intelligence. Bull explains how Virginia eliminated or streamlined more than 35% of its regulatory requirements, reduced nearly half the words in agency guidance documents, and generated an estimated $1.4 billion in annual savings for residents and businesses—all while maintaining protections for public health and safety. The conversation covers: How Virginia reduced regulatory burdens and saved taxpayers billions Using AI to review regulations, permits, and government guidance Why transparency is just as important as cutting regulations Texas' new Regulatory Efficiency Office (TRIO) and what comes next Occupational licensing reform and reducing unnecessary barriers to work How states can compare regulations and learn from one another The future of AI in modernizing state government Bull also discusses how AI can rapidly identify outdated regulations, duplicate rules across agencies, and compare state regulatory codes—tasks that would traditionally require thousands of hours of manual review. Throughout the discussion, he argues that smarter regulation isn't about eliminating necessary protections, but ensuring government rules are effective, transparent, and no more burdensome than they need to be. 00:00 — Virginia's $1.4 billion regulatory reform 00:29 — Intro + Meet Reeve Bull 02:08 — Why regulations matter 04:12 — The cosmetology licensing example 08:32 — The goals behind Virginia's reforms 09:29 — Cost-benefit analysis explained 14:48 — Reviewing every regulation 16:31 — How AI changed the process 21:58 — AI's biggest advantages 27:17 — Did Virginia meet its goals? 30:37 — Texas' TRIO initiative 35:07 — How reforms actually get approved 37:22 — Building support for regulatory reform 40:14 — Why now is the right time for AI 42:25 — The Fulcrum Foundation 43:30 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 117 - AI, Transparency & Taxpayer Savings: Lessons from Virginia

  8. Jun 18

    Ep. 116 - New World Screwworm in Texas, The Future of Veterinary Care, and Rural Vet Shortages

    What happens when a livestock threat once thought eradicated begins moving north toward Texas? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Dr. Lori Teller, licensed veterinarian and Executive Director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), to discuss the growing concern surrounding New World screwworm, the state of veterinary medicine in Texas, rural veterinarian shortages, telemedicine, and the future of animal health. Dr. Teller explains how New World screwworm infestations threaten livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans, and why state and federal agencies are working urgently to prevent its spread throughout Texas and the United States. The conversation covers: • What New World screwworm is and how it spreads • Why the threat has returned after decades of containment • Sterile fly programs and eradication efforts • The potential impact on Texas agriculture and food production • How pet owners should respond to suspicious wounds • State and federal coordination to contain outbreaks • Rural veterinarian shortages across Texas • Student debt and workforce challenges in veterinary medicine • The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program • Veterinary telemedicine and its limitations • Artificial intelligence in veterinary practice • Priorities for the upcoming Texas legislative session Dr. Teller also discusses how veterinary medicine extends far beyond dogs and cats, encompassing livestock, wildlife, public health, food safety, and emergency response efforts that are critical to Texas' economy and agricultural sector. The discussion explores the challenges of attracting veterinarians to rural communities, where shortages can impact ranchers, farmers, and animal owners across large geographic regions. The episode concludes with a look at how technology, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence are beginning to transform veterinary care while reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong veterinary networks throughout Texas. 00:00 — Intro + Meet Dr. Lori Teller 01:44 — Veterinary specialties and career paths 03:44 — What is New World screwworm? 06:50 — Why screw worm has returned 09:52 — Sterile fly facilities and containment efforts 11:30 — Worst-case scenarios for Texas agriculture 14:00 — State and federal response efforts 16:13 — Current screwworm cases in Texas 17:52 — What pet owners should do 20:15 — Rural veterinarian shortages 24:18 — The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program 29:16 — Veterinary telemedicine explained 37:58 — Artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine 41:11 — Priorities for the next legislative session 41:48 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

    Ep. 116 - New World Screwworm in Texas, The Future of Veterinary Care, and Rural Vet Shortages
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Texas Talks with Brad Swail, brought to you by the Texas Dispatch, is a weekly podcast that features wide-ranging discussions with the people, organizations, and businesses that shape public policy in Texas. Texas Talks aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the policy debates and reasons and insight into the personalities that shape public policy in Texas.

Information

  • Creator
    Texas Talks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Texas Talks

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