The Right Idea

Texas Public Policy Foundation
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  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.

  1. 1D AGO

    Texas Student ICE Walkouts EXPOSED: Indoctrination, Danger & School Choice Surge

    In this special emergency edition of The Right Idea, TPPF's Brian Phillips, Robert Henneke, and Mandy Drogin react to the recent wave of student walkouts protesting immigration enforcement. Hundreds of students — including middle schoolers — left campuses during school hours, with some districts allegedly facilitating or failing to stop the disruptions. Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched investigations, threatened funding cuts, and warned of educator accountability for enabling these actions. 0:00 – Intro: Massive Texas student walkouts protesting ICE1:00 – Gov. Abbott, TEA & AG response: Funding threats & investigations2:12 – Rob Henneke: First Amendment rights vs. school discipline rules4:55 – Why schools MUST enforce rules — no "protest exception"6:49 – Mandy Drogin: As a parent — terrified & furious at the dangers7:52 – Indoctrination in schools: Low civics scores & Marxist influences10:52 – What school leaders SHOULD do: Enforce consequences immediately13:11 – Kids unsupervised downtown — safety failures exposed16:47 – Abuse of power by administrators facilitating walkouts19:40 – Investigations: Holding teachers & districts accountable22:39 – Where is the line between neutrality & active support?26:09 – Planned in advance — prior warnings ignored31:02 – Consequences needed: Funding cuts & license revocations34:49 – Parents: File complaints with TEA Inspector General37:33 – Fight back: 90th Legislative Session & parent empowerment39:21 – School choice explosion — alternative to failing districts42:40 – It's not too late for parents to act & protect kids47:16 – Rob's closing: Join the parent army to retake education

    50 min

  2. JAN 29

    The Collapse of College Sports? NIL Chaos, Revenue Sharing Disaster & The Future of Athletics

    TPPF Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips and Chief Policy & Research Officer Derek Cohen sit down with veteran college sports expert Michael Calabrese (New York Post, Action Network) to unpack the unprecedented mess in college athletics in 2026. NIL deals are unraveling, schools are suing players to enforce multi-year contracts (see the explosive Darian Mensah-Duke-Miami saga), the House v. NCAA revenue-sharing model is straining budgets, most athletic departments are losing millions, and non-revenue/Olympic/women's sports face extinction. Is a super league or private equity takeover inevitable? Can pooling media rights or federal legislation (SCORE Act update) save the uniquely American institution of college sports? 0:00 – Cold Texas weather & snow day hot takes3:16 – The crisis in college sports — NIL, revenue sharing, broke departments5:35 – Guest intro: Michael Calabrese (NY Post, Action Network)6:49 – What NIL actually is (and isn’t) — collectives, third-party money, no direct pay-for-play8:59 – Darien Mensah-Duke-Miami case: multi-year NIL contracts, lawsuits, buyouts & precedent14:00 – Can schools legally force players to stay? Contract loopholes exposed18:00 – Fixing the transfer portal: residency rules, one free transfer, coach exit triggers?24:07 – The $20–40M roster cost myth — boosters & collectives foot the bill29:14 – Revenue sharing disaster: $20.5M cap too low, Title IX risks, foreign investment dangers32:58 – Minor league / farm system comparison — short timelines kill loyalty35:23 – Solution: New governing body + antitrust exemption + pooled media rights47:11 – TV networks love the current discount — billions left on the table51:41 – Gambling revenue, Saudi money, moral hazards if no fix53:24 – Dystopia if nothing changes: organ donor programs, lost Olympic pipeline, middle-class mobility hit59:04 – Federal legislation: SCORE Act status, executive orders, path forward

    1h 9m

  3. JAN 14

    Stop Government Fraud Before It Starts – Open the Books CEO John Hart

    In this Season 4 premiere of The Right Idea podcast, TPPF Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips and Chief Policy & Research Officer Derek Cohen dive deep into one of the biggest government fraud stories in America: Minnesota's massive daycare and nutrition program scandals. Guest John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, joins the show to break down:– How systemic loopholes and weak oversight enabled billions in fraud– Why real-time transparency (every dime online, instantly) is the best defense– The difference between waste vs. fraud and how AI + citizen journalism can expose it– Lessons from the federal earmarks moratorium that saved ~$140 billion– Why empowering parents and consumers beats centralized bureaucracy– Healthcare's perverse incentives, state-level variation, and reforms that actually work If you're concerned about taxpayer money, government accountability, or the future of fraud prevention in Texas and beyond, this episode is a must-listen. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Season 4 Launch01:30 – Hot Take: It’s Hollywood Award Season: avoid it or watch the trainwreck? 05:01 – Guest Intro: John Hart, CEO of Open the Books05:57 – Anatomy of Government Fraud – Bug or Feature?07:04 – History of Federal Transparency (Coburn-Obama Law)10:46 – Real-Time Transparency: Why Every Dime Should Be Online Now12:34 – Counterarguments to Full Transparency & How to Overcome Them14:30 – Waste vs. Fraud: Definitions & Real-World Impact16:00 – Transparency as a Force for Freedom18:09 – Minnesota's Mistakes (No Treasurer + Enrollment-Based Payments)19:44 – Texas vs. Other States: Voucher Systems & Oversight22:14 – Performance Audits and Measuring Bang for the Buck26:21 – AI for Fraud Detection + Surveillance Citizenry28:22 – Preventing Fraud Upfront (Income Verification, Parent Empowerment)30:49 – Healthcare Fraud & Perverse Incentives33:16 – Price Transparency & State Innovation in Healthcare36:21 – Where Fraud Is Worst: Federal vs. State Level37:36 – Wildest Fraud Examples (Social Security "Adult Baby" Case)40:22 – Current Efforts to Stop Fraud (OMB, DOGE, Chip Roy Bill)42:10 – The Return of Earmarks: What Changed & Why It Matters44:00 – $140 Billion Saved by Earmarks Moratorium47:39 – Best States for Transparency & Reform (Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma)49:18 – PIA/FOIA Abuse & Outrageous Costs for Public Records50:39 – Rise of Citizen Journalism (Nick Shirley & Viral Exposés)

    55 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    Texas Politics 2025: Biggest Wins, Redistricting Shockwaves, & 2026 Senate Race Shake-Up with Brad Johnson

    In this year-end special, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Brad Johnson, Senior Reporter & Managing Editor at The Texan News, to recap the biggest political stories of 2025 and what they mean heading into the 2026 cycle. From the unexpected twists in the Texas Senate race, to the fallout of mid-decade redistricting, to the biggest legislative wins and disappointments, this episode covers it all. We also unveil our Politician of the Year and Texan of the Year awards. 3:35 – Hot Take: Jasmine Crockett jumps into the 2026 Senate race9:10 – DLCC targets the Texas House for 202611:43 – Democrats field candidates in every statewide/federal race13:11 – Why Dems still struggle to build a top-tier slate16:20 – 2025 Legislative Session recap: Was 2025 the most conservative Texas legislative session ever?18:38 – Biggest wins of the year: Burrows, bail reform, ESAs, border23:42 – Biggest disappointments: energy, tariffs, healthcare messaging31:07 – Biggest story of 2025: Mid-decade redistricting; the THC fight and its ripple effects35:10 – Under-the-radar wins: DEI enforcement & agency elimination44:25 – Politician of the Year awards55:19 – New Year’s resolutions for 2026

    59 min

  5. 12/04/2025

    Housing Crisis Explained: Why Homes Are Unaffordable in 2025 & Real Solutions with Sean Dobson

    Why is buying a home harder than ever in 2025 — even worse than 2007? Sean Dobson, Chairman & CEO of Amherst (one of America’s largest real estate investment firms), joins The Right Idea to break down the real drivers of the housing affordability crisis and what can actually fix it. We dive deep into labor costs, local regulations, property taxes, garages nobody uses, the future of renting vs. owning, immigration’s impact on construction, and why gimmicks like 50-year mortgages or rent control won’t solve anything. If you want to understand why young families can’t buy homes anymore — and what policymakers should actually do — this is the episode.  01:14 – Hot Take: Why the Epstein file release won’t end the conspiracies03:06 – Today’s guest: Sean Dobson (CEO of Amherst)04:12 – What actually goes into the cost of building a house? (2/3 labor!)05:58 – Modular homes, factory construction, and why it’s still only single-digit savings09:15 – Can the average person even build their own house today?10:34 – How local regulations silently drive up costs11:26 – The $55,000 garage nobody parks in14:29 – California’s ADU precedent & state vs. city power17:20 – 2025 affordability worse than 2007? Here’s why22:11 – Why politicians keep floating 50-year mortgages & subprime 2.024:19 – What does “affordable” even mean? (The 1/3 income rule)26:07 – Texas property taxes: 40%+ of your housing cost?!30:37 – Renting is not failure: Why the “American Dream” narrative is outdated33:31 – The real labor crisis in construction (and immigration’s role)39:53 – Rent control: Why it always backfires42:26 – Sean’s magic wand fix: Restore credit access & rename the “subprime” crisis

    44 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Texas Medical Association Captured by Gender Ideology? Feat. Dr. Lisa Ehrlich & Joseph Figliolia

    In this episode of The Right Idea, TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen break down how political activism has seeped into Texas healthcare — influencing diagnoses, treatments, and public policy. They’re joined by Dr. Lisa Ehrlich, internal medicine physician and former TMA trustee, and Joseph Figliolia, Manhattan Institute policy analyst and author of a major report on the TMA’s drift into ideological advocacy. Together, they examine:* How the TMA embraced gender-affirming care despite weak evidence* Why many physicians feel silenced* How institutional capture happens inside medical organizations* The impact on children, parents, lawmakers, and the practice of medicine* What reforms are needed to bring medicine back to evidence-based practice 00:30 – Thanksgiving politics & family discussions03:40 – Today’s topic: Gender ideology in healthcare05:18 – Guest introductions: Dr. Ehrlich & Joseph Figliolia05:42 – Why Joseph investigated the TMA07:23 – Is the TMA doubling down despite national pushback?09:07 – Evidence problems & reversals in Europe10:25 – Dr. Ehrlich: What clinicians saw on the ground11:38 – Social contagion & the rise of gender questioning13:12 – Vulnerable populations & patterns emerging14:58 – Why endocrinology led the shift16:02 – “Science by consensus” and activist medicine17:36 – The problem with WPATH & activist guidelines18:33 – How TMA was captured: institutional mechanics19:23 – Why doctors stay silent20:57 – Fear of being labeled discriminatory22:08 – Dr. Ehrlich: Intimidation inside the TMA23:56 – Identity sections and cultural politicization25:05 – Personal attacks vs scientific debate26:31 – Medicine requiring ideological pre-commitments?27:55 – Historical parallels (e.g., lobotomies)28:58 – Pandemic mandates & ethical shifts31:09 – Three separate issues: dysphoria, treatment, ideology32:57 – Suicide risk, treatment failures, evidence gaps34:18 – Is someone funding this movement?36:01 – TMA’s definitions avoid “gender dysphoria” entirely37:44 – The financial incentives behind affirming care38:39 – Do associations influence medical boards?41:15 – How TMA influences Texas policy42:07 – Is Texas protecting kids effectively?43:30 – Evidence-based standards being ignored44:56 – CME problems: outdated, debunked studies45:14 – Can the TMA be fixed?47:34 – Structural governance problems49:24 – What shoe drops next?51:07 – The comprehensive HHS gender dysphoria review51:35 – Dr. Ehrlich’s advice for physicians afraid to speak up

    56 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    Texas Property Taxes EXPOSED: Why Bills Skyrocket & Gov. Abbott’s Bold Fix

    Texas homeowners are furious—83% say property taxes are a major burden! In this deep-dive episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips and TPPF experts James Quintero and Jose Melendez break down why property taxes exploded after 2014, how local governments game appraisals & bonds, and Governor Greg Abbott’s aggressive new plan to finally crush the burden. From $91 billion in bond elections to Austin’s 121% tax levy growth, we expose the spending sprees, wasteful logos, and “Taj Mahal” stadiums. Learn how voter turnout in May vs. November lets special interests sneak through hikes—and why super-majority votes, appraisal caps, and taxpayer-triggered cuts could change everything. 00:02:05 – Hot Take: 50-Year Mortgages & Christmas Lights Drama00:06:06 – The Hockey Stick Graph: Taxes Up 400% Since 199800:19:10 – Rate Hikes & VATRE Elections00:24:14 – Poll: Texans Don't Know Who Sets Their Tax Bill00:29:28 – State vs. Local Blame: Legislature Can Rein In Locals00:31:09 – Budgets Growing 2x Faster Than Population + Inflation00:38:32 – AG Paxton Sues Cities for Skipping Audits Before Hikes00:46:05 – Appraisal Shell Game: Values Up 138%, Rates Down 7% = 121% Levy Boom00:55:19 – Lightning Round: Abbott’s 6-Point Plan Breakdown00:55:54 – Require 2/3rds voter approval for tax increases00:59:07 – Eliminate M&O School Taxes01:02:11 – Create Appraisal Predictability, Cap Appraisal Growth01:03:24 – Require Common Sense Local Spending Limits01:05:44 – Switch to Appraisals Taking Place Only Once Every Five Years01:08:18 – TAXPAYER TRIGGER: 15% Signatures = Force Tax-Cut Vote01:12:05 – Can we pass this in ONE Session like School Choice? REFERENCED: Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government on SB 9

    1h 15m

  8. 11/03/2025

    LIVE from the Texas Federation of Republican Women Conference

    In the 100th episode extravaganza, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen talk to leading conservative voices at the 2025 TFRW Conference in San Antonio.   6:51 Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner 17:40 Deborah Wall, Camino Real Republican Women President 49:47 Jim Wright, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman 1:05:02 Mary Elise Cosgray, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Texan 1:34:04 Grant Moody, Bexar County Commissioner  1:47:21 Congressman Nathaniel Moran 2:12:52 Misty Spears, San Antonio City Council Member 2:27:39 Jill Tate, Texas Federation of Republican Women President 3:00:39 Texas State Senator Pete Flores (SD-24) 3:21:59 Wrap up

    3h 26m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.

Information

  • Creator
    Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2024 Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • Show Website
    The Right Idea