THE KICK Podcast

THE KICK
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Politics
  • Updated Biweekly

THE KICK Podcast is where business-minded Texans engage the issues shaping our state. Produced by THE KICK Enterprise Club, a pro-business Democratic organization based in Houston, the show brings together candidates, policy leaders, legal minds, and industry voices for substantive conversations about governance, markets, and growth. We explore how public policy impacts business, energy, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity through the lens of stability, accountability, an

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    The Billion-Dollar Bet on Texas Data Centers | Chris Tomlinson | THE KICK Podcast - EP11

    Texas is pouring billions into AI data centers while struggling to supply the electricity, water, and regulation those facilities demand. Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle columnist and longtime Texas observer, breaks down why the economics of AI may be far shakier than the hype suggests. But the conversation goes deeper than kilowatts and server racks. Tomlinson wrote a New York Times bestseller after tracking down descendants of people his own family enslaved, and he brings that personal reckoning to a frank discussion of systemic racism, reparations, and what white Texans still get wrong about history. Christian nationalism, billionaire-funded political movements, and a shifting Texas electorate tie all three threads together. The question the episode leaves open is whether Texas is on the verge of a genuine political realignment, or whether the same forces that have always run the state will find a way to hold on. Key Takeaways Why the economics of AI data centers may be heading toward the same boom-and-bust cycle Texas has seen in oilWhat the gap between American and Chinese approaches to AI reveals about who actually profits from the technologyHow the Death Star Bill and an unanswered attorney general opinion left Texas cities and counties with almost no power over data centers in their own backyardsWhy the history between Juneteenth and the Civil Rights Act of 1965 is the missing piece in most conversations about race in AmericaWhat the True Texas Project and its billionaire backers reveal about where Christian nationalism is heading in TexasHow Texas demographics are shifting, and what the math means for Republican dominance in the next six years Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction2:30 - AI data center economics and investor risk8:29 - Electricity, water, and the real cost of running AI50:29 - Tomlinson Hill, slavery, and personal reckoning1:05:59 - Systemic racism, reparations, and Texas history1:15:29 - Christian nationalism and billionaire-funded politics1:21:59 - Texas demographics and the MAGA realignment

  2. Sep 28

    Who Gets to Compete for Texas Contracts? | Ed Ryland | THE KICK Podcast - EP10

    Billions of public dollars flow through municipal and state contracts every year, and who gets access to that work has shaped the economic fabric of American communities for generations. In Texas, a decades-old program designed to open that access was dismantled almost overnight, and the ripple effects are still being felt.Ed Ryland, CEO of Arvo Realty Advisors and a certified hub business owner with over forty years in commercial real estate, brings a ground-level view of what these programs actually do, what their absence costs, and what minority and women-owned businesses should be doing right now regardless of the political climate.The conversation moves from the state hub program to Houston city contracts to the near-total retreat of corporate diversity initiatives, raising a question nobody seems willing to answer: if you dismantle the programs, what do you replace them with?Key Takeaways- Why canceling a goal-setting program sends a signal far beyond the government agencies that run it, reaching all the way to the primes who subcontract the work- What a no-money contract is, why it may be more common than anyone is tracking, and why utilization matters as much as certification- Why certification alone is not a business strategy, and what minority and women-owned firms should be building regardless of which programs survive- How access to capital remains a structural barrier even for established, decades-old firms, and what being bank-ready actually means in practice- Where African American-owned businesses rank in hub spending relative to other groups, and why that gap persists even inside diversity programs- What question Ed believes every corporation and public agency that has rolled back inclusion efforts should be required to answerTimestamps0:00 Introduction to public procurement and MBE programs2:29 Ed Ryland's background and Arvo Realty4:29 The hub program, its cancellation, and immediate effects12:29 Capital access, redlining, and being bank-ready19:29 No-money contracts and the utilization gap39:59 Houston and Harris County lawsuits54:00 Broadening the supplier base and the path forward

  3. Sep 2

    Who Gets a Fair Shot in Harris County? | Dr. Letitia Plummer | THE KICK Podcast - EP9

    Dr. Letitia Plummer, Democratic candidate for Harris County Judge, brings an unusual combination to the race: a dentist, a small business owner of 25 years, a former city council member, and the granddaughter of the first African American judge in Texas. Her argument is that running a county of five million people requires someone who has met a payroll, navigated a broken lending system, and actually delivered services to underserved communities. This conversation covers a lot of ground, from the dismantling of minority vendor programs and what a county judge can do to protect them, to the mechanics of flood control, the crisis inside the county jail, and the quiet collapse of affordable housing standards. Plummer is specific about what the Harris County Judge can and cannot control, and honest about where influence has to substitute for direct authority. The bigger question underneath all of it: can local government hold the line for communities that are losing ground at the federal level, and what does it actually take to lead the largest county in the state? Key Takeaways - Why minority vendor programs are not handouts, and what happens to a community's economy when they disappear - How the county jail became a de facto mental health facility, and what it costs taxpayers to keep it that way - What the Harris County Judge can and cannot do about public schools, Medicaid, and the federal funding cuts hitting both - Why flood control is a shared problem between the county and 34 municipalities, and what coordination actually looks like in practice - How a cancer screening program came to the Fifth Ward, and what it reveals about finding money outside the tax base - What the Apartment Inspection Reform Ordinance changed, and why it took an ordinance to make landlords follow basic health codes Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction and guest background 2:29 - Family history, identity, and path to dentistry 4:00 - Minority vendor programs and procurement reform 14:30 - Harris Health, Medicaid, and pandemic preparedness 32:59 - Flood control, disaster hubs, and infrastructure 42:00 - Jail overcrowding, mental health, and shared services 50:00 - Apartment ordinance, cancer screening, and closing case for small business

  4. Jul 22

    The Future of Houston Starts Here | Edward Pollard | THE KICK Podcast - EP8

    Houston's biggest advantage isn't its size. It's its people. As the fourth-largest city in America continues to grow, local leaders face an increasingly difficult challenge: protecting opportunity while navigating pressure from Austin, Washington, and a rapidly changing economy. Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard joins THE KICK Podcast to discuss immigration, constitutional rights, healthcare access, workforce development, entrepreneurship, small business growth, and why local government still has the power to improve everyday life. From the role of city government to the future of one of America's fastest-growing business hubs, this conversation explores what it takes to keep Houston competitive while serving one of the most diverse communities in the country. Key Takeaways  Why Houston continues to attract businesses and entrepreneurs The balance between immigration enforcement and constitutional rights How local government impacts healthcare and workforce development What city leaders can actually control Why collaboration matters more than political headlines The future of Houston's business community Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Houston and Edward Pollard 05:00 - Houston's diversity, business climate, and the American Dream 17:30 - Working with Austin while representing Houston 28:20 - Healthcare, education, and the city's role 33:00 - Workforce development and connecting people to jobs 1:17:00 - The future of Houston and THE KICK's policy priorities

  5. Jul 1

    What Texas Stands to Lose | Gene Wu | THE KICK Podcast - EP7

    Texas is not just fighting over maps. It is fighting over what kind of state it wants to become.In this episode of THE KICK Podcast, Texas State Representative Gene Wu joins the show for a direct conversation about redistricting, political power, healthcare, education, workforce development, immigration, and the policies shaping Texas’ future.Wu argues that the stakes of the next election go far beyond party control. From voting power and public schools to healthcare access and business investment, this conversation connects the political fight in Austin to the real consequences Texans feel every day.The episode also moves into the growing tension around China, Asian communities, foreign investment, and the long term economic damage that comes when Texas sends the message that certain people, workers, investors, or businesses are no longer welcome.Key Moments Why redistricting has become one of the defining political fights in Texas How Democrats are organizing across southern states to push back on power grabs Why Wu says the core issues are still jobs, education, and healthcare How public education funding connects directly to workforce development Why immigration and labor policy are already affecting Texas business How anti-China policy could threaten investment, innovation, and high skilled jobsTimestamps0:13 - Who Gene Wu is and why this moment matters in Texas politics4:31 - Redistricting, quorum breaking, and the fight over political power11:32 - How Democrats are organizing across southern red states15:14 - Jobs, education, healthcare, and what voters actually need26:31 - School funding, workforce training, and the business consequences34:50 - Why investment may leave Texas

  6. Jun 9

    The Court That Could Reshape Texas Business | The 15th Court of Appeals |THE KICK Podcast - EP6

    Texas created a new court system for business disputes. Now voters are deciding who sits on one of the most important pieces of it.In this episode of THE KICK Podcast, Jerry Zimmerer, Tom Baker, and Marc Meyer join the show to explain the 15th Court of Appeals, the Texas Business Court, and why this new judicial structure matters for companies across the state. What began as a specialized court for complex business disputes now also touches cases involving state agencies, constitutional challenges, regulations, and high impact questions affecting Texas government.The conversation explores the promise and the concern. Specialized courts may help businesses get faster, more informed decisions in complex disputes. But concentrating major business and state government cases in one statewide court also raises serious questions about politics, judicial independence, court capture, and who gets the final word when powerful interests collide.For business owners, this episode is not just about the courts. It is about predictability, fairness, contracts, regulation, and whether Texas can build a legal system that supports growth without sacrificing balance.Key Moments:Why Texas created the 15th Court of Appeals and how politics shaped its originWhat kinds of business, regulatory, and state agency cases may land before this courtWhy specialized courts could help companies resolve complex disputes more efficientlyThe concern over appointed business court judges and judicial independenceHow the court could affect small businesses, large corporations, and state regulatory challengesWhy voters should pay attention to judicial races that usually appear near the bottom of the ballotTimestamps:0:13 - What the 15th Court of Appeals is and why Texas created a business court system3:35 - The political origin of the court and why appellate races suddenly matter more9:01 - What kinds of cases this court will hear, from business disputes to state agency challenges17:16 - Appointed business court judges, elected appellate review, and why that structure matters24:44 - Whether the new court helps Texas business or creates new risks36:17 - HUB, immigration, state power, and the kinds of hot button cases that could reach the court45:48 - Court capture, big law influence, and why the 15th Court may become one of Texas’ most important courts

  7. May 21

    The Lieutenant Governor and Policy | Vikki Goodwin | THE KICK Podcast EP5

    Healthcare costs. Energy demand. Workforce shortages. Infrastructure strain. Regulation. Education. Water. Housing.In this episode of The KICK Podcast, Texas State Representative and Lieutenant Governor candidate Vikki Goodwin joins us for a business-first conversation about the policies shaping the future of the Texas economy, and whether the state is making the right long-term bets.From workforce development and public education to healthcare affordability, THC regulation, energy infrastructure, and business investment, this episode explores how political decisions in Austin directly affect jobs, growth, and economic competitiveness across Texas.This is not a conversation about left vs right. It’s a conversation about whether Texas can continue to grow without pricing out workers, overwhelming infrastructure, or creating uncertainty for the businesses driving the state economy.Key Takeaways:- Why healthcare costs have become a major business issue in Texas- How education policy directly impacts workforce development and economic growth- What THC regulation could mean for jobs, businesses, and tax revenue- Why infrastructure, water, and energy demand are becoming urgent business concerns- How political instability and policy uncertainty affect long-term investment decisions- Why the “middle 80%” may decide the future direction of Texas politicsTimestamps:0:00 — Introducing Vikki Goodwin and the business stakes behind the Lieutenant Governor race6:48 — Why healthcare affordability is becoming a business crisis15:12 — Education, workforce development, and the future Texas economy25:31 — THC regulation, business growth, and jobs at stake36:45 — Energy demand, infrastructure strain, and Texas growth challenges49:08 — Why business leaders are paying closer attention to Austin politics

  8. Apr 23

    Who Really Powers Texas? | Jon Rosenthal | THE KICK Podcast - EP4

    The agency shaping Texas energy is one most voters barely understand. In this episode, Jon Rosenthal joins THE KICK Podcast to unpack one of the most overlooked and consequential offices in Texas government: the Railroad Commission. Despite the name, this is not about trains. It is about the fuel, infrastructure, and oversight that sit underneath a huge share of the Texas economy. Fritz and Rosenthal dig into what the commission actually controls, why natural gas reliability matters so much to the power grid, and how weak enforcement can quietly create bigger risks for businesses, households, and the state itself. They also explore the practical side of energy policy, from flaring and pipeline bottlenecks to the difference between political talking points and technical reality. At the center of the conversation is a bigger business question. What does sensible oversight look like in an industry this large, this essential, and this tied to the future of Texas growth? Rosenthal makes the case that stability, competence, and technical expertise are not anti business. They are what keep the whole system running. Key Moments What the Railroad Commission actually regulates and why its name hides how powerful it really isHow natural gas reliability affects the electric grid, even though the commission does not run the grid itselfHow routine flaring wastes value, weakens efficiency, and leaves money on the tableWhy pipeline capacity and permitting matter to growth across the energy economyHow emerging technologies like geothermal can build on Houston’s existing industrial workforce Timestamps 0:14 - Who Jon Rosenthal is and why he's running for Railroad Commission 5:20 - What the Railroad Commission actually controls and why the name misleads voters 12:35 - The Texas power mix and the natural gas problem behind grid reliability 24:40 - Flaring, wasted gas, and the business case for capturing more value 33:15 - Pipelines, permitting, and why moving energy is becoming harder 47:10 - Beyond electricity: exports, petrochemicals, and the next wave of energy innovation

  9. Mar 27

    Can Harris County Work Together Again? | Annise Parker | THE KICK Podcast - EP3

    Harris County does not need more noise. It needs leadership that can actually make government work. In this episode, Annise Parker breaks down one of the most misunderstood roles in Texas politics: the Harris County Judge. It is not a courtroom job. It is the position responsible for keeping a region of millions functioning, especially when things go wrong. From flood control and emergency response to affordability, public safety, and infrastructure, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how local government really operates. And more importantly, what happens when it stops working as a system. At the center of it all is a bigger question. In a political environment dominated by extremes, who is actually governing for the middle 80 percent? And what does it take to bring coordination, discipline, and accountability back to a county this complex? Key Takeaways Why the Harris County Judge is less about authority and more about alignment across competing power centersHow dysfunction at the top can quietly slow down everything from flood mitigation to public safetyWhat most people misunderstand about where local tax dollars actually goWhy affordability is tied to infrastructure, not just housing pricesThe hidden tradeoffs behind law enforcement spending, mental health care, and jail overcrowdingHow governing for the “middle 80%” changes decision-making in a polarized environment Timestamps 0:00 - Who Annise Parker is and what the Harris County Judge actually does4:50 - The real responsibilities: emergency management, flood control, and public systems11:30 - Why Harris County government feels dysfunctional right now16:10 - The real priorities: affordability, economy, and flood mitigation31:00 - From mayor to county judge: experience vs. authority39:40 - Law enforcement, budgets, and what’s driving costs

  10. Mar 3

    The Corruption Tax on Texas | Gina Hinojosa | THE KICK Podcast - EP2

    Texas is paying a hidden price for politics without accountability. For years, emergency powers and insider contracting have quietly reshaped how taxpayer dollars move through the state. In this episode, gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa argues that Texans are footing the bill for a system that favors access over fairness.In this episode, Gina digs into what she calls the corruption tax, the idea that when competitive bidding disappears and vendor contracts multiply, money drifts away from classrooms, small businesses, and working families. They examine how that shift connects to vouchers, healthcare funding, electricity costs, and whether government is serving taxpayers or protecting insiders. This is not a conversation about party labels. It is about whether Texas still offers an even playing field, and what it would take to restore competition, accountability, and trust in how the state does business. Episode Links: https://www.citizen.org/news/public-citizen-report-abbott-donors-draw-nearly-1-billion-in-no-bid-state-contracts/ https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/08/texas-hub-program-paused-comptroller-historically-underutilized-businesses/#:~:text=Women%2C%20minority%20small%20business%20owners,to%20485%20participants%20%E2%80%94%20all%20men Key Takeaways: How emergency powers can quietly transform a competitive marketplace into an insider system.Why competitive bidding is foundational to business confidence and not a partisan issue.What happens when vendor spending begins to crowd out core public priorities.How affordability pressures can trace back to policy decisions, not just market forces.Why restoring accountability could reshape both public trust and private sector opportunity. Timestamps: 0:14 - Who Gina Hinojosa is and why she entered politics 3:18 - The corruption case: monthly emergency orders and no bid contracting 8:09 - HUB program elimination and what fairness in contracting should look like 11:22 - Zero based budgeting for schools and why vendor spending crowds out priorities 16:38 - Vouchers, accountability, and the governor’s power to block an unaccountable program 23:25 - Affordability levers: electricity bills, data centers, and holding corporations accountable 33:58 - Why 2026 is a high stakes midterm and what redistricting means for the future

  11. Feb 25

    Texas Needs a Real Attorney General Again | Joe Jaworski | THE KICK Podcast - EP1

    Texas has not always felt this unsettled. There was a time when public institutions operated with balance, the Attorney General functioned as a check on power, and businesses could rely on steady and predictable rules. This episode examines what has shifted and what a different approach to leadership could look like. Fritz sits down with Joe Jaworski, former Mayor of Galveston and candidate for Texas Attorney General in 2026, to discuss what the office is meant to be. From oversight of state leadership to safeguarding fair competition in government contracting, Jaworski argues the Attorney General must answer to Texans rather than political alliances or primary pressures. The conversation makes a clear pro business case for institutional integrity. When discretion is exercised responsibly, when local authority is respected, and when the rule of law is applied consistently, stability follows. Stability creates the conditions for communities and markets to grow with confidence. Timestamps 0:00 - Welcome to THE KICK 8:16 - Can the Attorney General investigate the Governor 11:15 - The HUB program and fairness in state contracting 19:06 - ICE, local control, and what cities are allowed to do 23:25 - What private citizens can legally do during ICE actions 40:55 - Medicaid funds Texas rejected and the cost to taxpayers 44:28 - Why business should care who becomes Attorney General

  • 11 Episodes

About

THE KICK Podcast is where business-minded Texans engage the issues shaping our state. Produced by THE KICK Enterprise Club, a pro-business Democratic organization based in Houston, the show brings together candidates, policy leaders, legal minds, and industry voices for substantive conversations about governance, markets, and growth. We explore how public policy impacts business, energy, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity through the lens of stability, accountability, an

Information

  • Creator
    THE KICK
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © THE KICK
  • Show Website
    THE KICK Podcast

You Might Also Like