Texas Talks

Texas Talks
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Government
  • Updated Weekly

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. 3d ago

    Ep. 128 - Why Your Insurance Bill Keeps Going Up in Texas | Ryan Patrick

    What is driving rising litigation and insurance costs in Texas—and what does Texans for Lawsuit Reform want lawmakers to do about it? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Ryan Patrick, the new CEO of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, to discuss his vision for the organization and its priorities heading into the 90th Texas Legislature. Patrick draws on his career as a prosecutor, judge, U.S. Attorney and private-practice attorney to explain why he believes Texas needs to refocus on civil justice and tort reform. He discusses the impact of large verdicts and litigation on insurance premiums, businesses and consumers, as well as TLR’s concerns about medical damages, litigation surrounding commercial vehicles, and the incentives created by the current system. The conversation also looks ahead to the next legislative session, where Patrick says TLR will pursue reforms addressing medical damages, staged accidents, insurance fraud, liability involving criminal activity, and other areas of Texas civil law. Patrick also explains how he hopes to lead a new generation at TLR while building on the organization’s three decades of work in Texas. 00:00 — Introducing Ryan Patrick00:50 — From Prosecutor to Judge to U.S. Attorney03:18 — Why Patrick Joined Texans for Lawsuit Reform04:59 — A New Generation at TLR07:06 — Refocusing on Tort & Civil Justice Reform09:28 — Texas Courts & the Case for Reform13:48 — Venue Shopping & Consistency in the Courts16:40 — Litigation, Insurance Premiums & Rising Costs19:26 — How Lawsuits Can Impact Small Businesses23:03 — Medical Damages & TLR’s Next Reform Push28:32 — Do Large Verdicts Make Texans Safer?30:34 — When Insurance Becomes Unaffordable33:04 — How Texas Compares with Other States40:41 — Staged Accidents & Insurance Fraud41:36 — Priorities for the 90th Legislature47:21 — TLR’s Strategy for the Next Session48:10 — 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. 128 - Why Your Insurance Bill Keeps Going Up in Texas | Ryan Patrick

  2. Sep 3

    Ep. 127 - Government Transparency, Oversight & Accountability in Texas w/Rep. Cody Vasut

    Texas lawmakers are taking a closer look at government transparency, taxpayer spending and accountability at the state and local levels. On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail welcomes back State Rep. Cody Vasut, who represents House District 25 and chairs the House Select Committee on Government Oversight. Vasut explains the committee’s mission and the wide range of issues lawmakers are examining during the interim—from Texas’ public information laws and the growing impact of AI on records requests to education foundations, taxpayer money flowing to nongovernmental organizations, and prosecutorial discretion. The conversation covers: Whether Texas' public information laws provide enough transparency How AI could transform public records requests Oversight of education foundations and public funds Taxpayer dollars flowing to NGOs and outside organizations Prosecutorial discretion and proposals for greater state oversight The unusual effort by eastern New Mexico counties interested in joining Texas Vasut also discusses how his previous experience in local government influences his approach to state oversight and what he hopes the committee can accomplish before the next legislative session. 00:00 — Introduction & Rep. Cody Vasut 03:02 — The House Government Oversight Committee 05:26 — Could New Mexico Counties Join Texas? 11:13 — Government Transparency in Texas 15:08 — AI & Public Information Requests 20:15 — Education Foundations & Public Funds 24:02 — Taxpayer Money Going to NGOs 30:05 — Prosecutorial Discretion & District Attorneys 37:23 — What Success Looks Like for the Committee 38:12 — Local Government, Transparency & Taxpayers 42:03 — Closing 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. 127 - Government Transparency, Oversight & Accountability in Texas w/Rep. Cody Vasut

  3. Aug 27

    Ep. 126 - Texas Community Colleges Did Too Well — Then the State Ran Out of Money | Rep. Vince Perez

    How should Texas prepare its colleges, workforce, tax system, and infrastructure for the state's continued growth? On Episode 126 of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Rep. Vince Perez, who represents House District 77 in El Paso, to discuss some of the major policy questions facing Texas ahead of the next legislative session. Perez describes his district at the center of the El Paso–Ciudad Juárez region and explains how its location along the U.S.-Mexico border shapes its economy and workforce.  A major focus is higher education. Perez discusses recent interim hearings, Texas' performance-based community college funding system, funding shortfalls facing those institutions, workforce development, and how artificial intelligence could transform the jobs awaiting today's college students. The conversation covers: Community college funding and workforce development Academic freedom and state involvement in higher education Preparing Texas students for AI and the future economy Property taxes and how Texas funds state and local government The massive expansion of data centers around El Paso Energy, water, tax incentives, and the economic impact of those facilities Perez also lays out his concerns about the enormous electricity and water requirements associated with new data centers, questioning whether the jobs and economic benefits they generate will justify the incentives and infrastructure demands placed on local communities. 00:00 — Introducing Rep. Vince Perez & House District 77 02:20 — Texas Higher Education & Community College Funding 05:11 — Why Community Colleges Are Facing Shortfalls 09:26 — Can Texas Make Colleges Whole? 11:09 — Higher Education & the Future of Warfare 13:18 — AI, Healthcare & Texas' Future Workforce 15:52 — Academic Freedom in Texas Universities 20:39 — The Fight Over Texas Property Taxes 25:32 — West Texas' Massive Data Center Boom 27:53 — Water, Electricity & the Cost of Data Centers 29:15 — 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. 126 - Texas Community Colleges Did Too Well — Then the State Ran Out of Money | Rep. Vince Perez

  4. Aug 20

    Ep. 125 - Texas General Aviation: Funding, Workforce & Disaster Response | Armando Martinez

    Pilot. Flight paramedic. Firefighter. State Representative. Rep. Armando Martinez (HD 39) joins Texas Talks to break down why Texas general aviation airports are more important than most people realize — and what the new House Select Committee on General Aviation is trying to fix. In this episode we cover:  • Why Speaker Burrows created a Select Committee on General Aviation  • The real difference between general aviation and commercial airports • Infrastructure and funding challenges facing small and rural airports  • How Mid-Valley Airport in Weslaco is expanding to become a regional disaster response hub  • The economic power of corporate aircraft landing in small communities  • The serious aviation workforce shortage (especially avionics)  • South Texas launching its first-ever avionics training program  • How HB 4520 lowered the local match requirement from 10% to 5%  • What Martinez wants to see from the committee heading into the 90th Legislature Timestamps:  0:00 – Cold Open  1:15 – Why a Select Committee on General Aviation now?  4:40 – What actually is general aviation?  8:30 – The funding problem for small airports  12:05 – Mid-Valley Airport expansion & disaster response hub  14:50 – Economic impact of corporate jets in small towns  18:10 – Aviation workforce shortage & the new avionics program  24:10 – Role of general aviation airports in disasters  27:40 – HB 4520: Lowering the match requirement  34:15 – Goals of the Select Committee  36:50 – Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature  39:40 – Closing thoughts If you care about Texas infrastructure, rural economic development, or disaster readiness, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more conversations with Texas lawmakers and policy leaders.   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. 125 - Texas General Aviation: Funding, Workforce & Disaster Response | Armando Martinez

  5. Aug 13

    Ep. 124 - Can Texas Become America’s Regenerative Medicine Capital? | Jack Collier

    What would it take for Texas to become the national leader in health, wellness, and regenerative medicine? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Jack Collier, co-founder and CEO of Optimized Health and Performance, a nationwide telehealth clinic based in the Austin area. Collier explains how his own experience with hormone testing led him into the health and wellness industry and why he believes patients need more information and control over their healthcare decisions. The conversation covers: Preventive health, hormone optimization, and regenerative medicine Healthcare costs and the role of insurance Peptides and the growing online gray market How Texas could encourage research while protecting consumers The Make Texas Healthy Again movement and health education Why Austin has become a hub for health and wellness innovation Collier argues that Texas has an opportunity to become a national center for emerging healthcare research and innovation while improving health education and giving patients greater choice in how they manage their health. 00:00 — Introduction & Jack Collier 02:09 — Hormone Optimization & Jack’s Health Journey 05:09 — The Future of Health & Regenerative Medicine in Texas 09:17 — Prevention, Nutrition & the Current Healthcare Model 16:03 — Healthcare Costs, Insurance & Patient Choice 20:17 — The Long-Term Value of Preventive Health 23:27 — What Texas Can Do Through Public Policy 24:53 — Peptides, Safety & the Online Gray Market 28:53 — Peptide Therapies & Medical Innovation 31:04 — Regulation, Research & the Future of Healthcare 32:40 — Make Texas Healthy Again & Health Education 36:17 — Austin’s Health & Wellness Boom 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. 124 - Can Texas Become America’s Regenerative Medicine Capital? | Jack Collier

  6. Aug 6

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (145)

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
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Texas Talks

You Might Also Like