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Can Texas produce enough electricity to power the artificial intelligence revolution, or are the state's massive data center projections creating an infrastructure bubble? Dr. Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, nonresident fellow at Columbia University, founding partner of IdeaSmiths LLC, and host of the Energy Capital podcast, joins Brad Swail on Texas Talks to examine the future of Texas' electricity grid, the explosive growth of AI data centers, and the challenges facing ERCOT. Rhodes discusses the current state of the Texas power grid, including improvements made since Winter Storm Uri and remaining concerns about natural gas supply during extreme weather. He explains how new solar generation and battery storage helped Texas manage record electricity demand without the dramatic price spikes that have accompanied previous summer peaks. The conversation then turns to projections suggesting Texas could need approximately 400 gigawatts of electricity capacity to accommodate future demand. Rhodes argues that reaching those levels within the proposed timeframe would require an unprecedented expansion of power generation, transmission infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, and construction resources. Brad and Joshua explore whether the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers resembles an economic bubble, what happens if proposed projects never materialize, and whether excess power generation could ultimately benefit ordinary Texans through lower electricity prices. They also discuss the potential of small modular nuclear reactors and geothermal energy, the rising cost of natural gas turbines and transformers, and the question of who should pay for the infrastructure required by large technology companies. Beyond electricity demand, the discussion examines community concerns surrounding data center water consumption, cooling systems, noise pollution, local tax incentives, and the economic benefits these facilities can provide. Finally, Rhodes explains ERCOT's Batch Zero process, recent efforts to bring greater accountability to large-load connection requests, and what he hopes the 90th Texas Legislature will prioritize when developing future energy policies. From nuclear power and grid reliability to artificial intelligence, data centers, and electricity costs, this episode explores how Texas can balance economic growth, technological innovation, and affordable, reliable energy without placing unnecessary burdens on everyday Texans. Watch Texas Talks with Brad Swail for an in-depth conversation about the future of energy in the Lone Star State. 00:00 — Can Texas Meet 400GW of Electricity Demand?  00:19 — Introduction to Dr. Joshua Rhodes  01:51 — Why Rhodes Studies the Texas Power Grid  03:44 — ERCOT and Lessons from Winter Storm Uri  06:16 — Texas' Record Electricity Demand  08:53 — Data Centers and the 400GW Forecast  11:54 — Why ERCOT's Demand Projections Are So High  14:15 — How Much Electricity Demand Is Realistic?  16:07 — Is the AI Data Center Boom a Bubble?  19:10 — Small Modular Nuclear Reactors and Geothermal Energy  21:14 — Could Overbuilding Power Plants Lower Electricity Prices?  25:55 — Rising Infrastructure Costs and Electric Bills  29:02 — Data Center Water Consumption and Noise  32:54 — Data Center Tax Breaks and Local Economic Benefits  36:00 — ERCOT's Batch Zero Process and SB 6  37:42 — Governor Abbott's Data Center Audit  40:40 — What Should the 90th Texas Legislature Do?  43:51 — Energy Subsidies and Market Competition  44:40 — Future Energy Policy 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

Texas State Representative Carl Tepper joins Brad Swail on Texas Talks to discuss some of the major issues being examined by the House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight. Tepper discusses the committee’s examination of district attorneys and criminal prosecution, including the scrutiny surrounding the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and possible approaches lawmakers could consider during the 90th Texas Legislature. The conversation then turns west to a highly unusual question: Could counties currently in New Mexico eventually become part of Texas? Tepper discusses interest from communities along the Texas-New Mexico border, the economic and cultural ties between those counties and West Texas, and what would have to happen for a boundary change to move forward. Finally, Tepper and Brad discuss oversight of taxpayer-funded contracts, nonprofits and local government programs, including questions surrounding homelessness spending in Austin and how governments should respond when publicly funded programs fail to meet their goals. 00:00 — Introducing Rep. Carl Tepper01:08 — Texas' Governmental Oversight Hearings02:53 — Crime & Repeat Offenders04:39 — Scrutiny of District Attorneys05:12 — What Could the Legislature Do?07:22 — Could Texas Expand Into New Mexico?08:32 — Why New Mexico Counties Are Looking at Texas11:05 — How a Texas-New Mexico Boundary Change Could Work11:57 — Rural & Frontier Texas14:38 — Safeguarding Taxpayer Funds15:09 — Austin's Homelessness Spending16:51 — Accountability for Government Contracts19:10 — 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

In Part 2 of our special Texas Talks series recorded live at the Texas Hospital Association Annual Conference in Fort Worth, host Brad Swail sits down with Chris Bryan, Vice President of Clarity Child Guidance Center in San Antonio, to examine the state of children’s mental healthcare in Texas. Bryan shares the personal experience that led her from a career in technology to becoming an advocate for children’s mental health and explains how technology and social media have changed the environment in which children grow up. The conversation explores gaps in the mental health system, including the lack of a consistent continuum of care, difficulties sharing health information, insurance and reimbursement challenges, workforce shortages and the difference between having mental health coverage and actually being able to access treatment. Bryan also reflects on nearly two decades of advocacy at the Texas Capitol, how the conversation surrounding children’s mental health has changed and what she hopes lawmakers will address during the 90th Texas Legislature. This is Part 2 of our two-part Texas Hospital Association special. Be sure to watch Part 1 with Allen Harrison on the economics and financial pressures facing Texas hospitals. 00:00 — Introducing Chris Bryan01:56 — A Personal Journey Into Mental Health Advocacy04:20 — Technology Meets Healthcare06:05 — Behavioral Health vs. Mental Health07:13 — How Technology Is Changing Childhood10:21 — Gaps in the Mental Health System11:47 — The Missing Continuum of Care12:40 — Health Data & Funding Challenges15:26 — Why Mental Health Coverage Falls Short17:53 — Coverage Doesn't Mean Access20:13 — 20 Years of Mental Health Advocacy22:14 — How the Texas Conversation Has Changed23:42 — Priorities for the 90th Legislature24:22 — 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

In Part 1 of a special two-part Texas Talks series recorded live at the Texas Hospital Association Annual Conference in Fort Worth, host Brad Swail sits down with Allen Harrison, President of Medical City Healthcare, HCA Healthcare’s North Texas Division, and Chair-Elect of the Texas Hospital Association Board of Trustees. Harrison shares the personal story that led him to a career in healthcare before turning to the financial pressures facing Texas hospitals and the growing debate over healthcare affordability. The conversation examines Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, uninsured patients, the role of commercial insurance, hospital pricing and the growing financial burden placed directly on patients. Harrison also discusses what Texas hospitals are watching ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature and why protecting existing Medicaid funding is a major priority. Brad and Harrison also explore Texas’ healthcare workforce, including improvements in the nursing shortage, continued demand for specialized healthcare workers and how the patient experience can be complicated by an increasingly difficult-to-understand billing system. This is Part 1 of our two-part Texas Hospital Association special. Part 2 continues tomorrow with another conversation from the THA Annual Conference. 00:00 — Introducing Allen Harrison01:47 — A Personal Connection to Healthcare04:11 — How Healthcare Has Changed06:29 — Preparing to Lead the Texas Hospital Association07:45 — Healthcare Affordability & the 90th Legislature09:22 — Medicare, Medicaid & Hospital Finances12:09 — Protecting Texas Medicaid Funding13:25 — What Really Drives Healthcare Costs?14:53 — How Hospital Pricing Actually Works16:25 — Managing Financial Uncertainty18:00 — Insurance & Rising Patient Costs20:52 — Texas' Healthcare Workforce23:00 — Shortages in Specialized Healthcare Jobs24:22 — What Patients Want From Healthcare26:22 — 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

Women are paying $350 for a testosterone pellet. The same hormone, in a men’s tube, can last a year for $86. Texas Rep. Katrina Pierson (HD 33) — former Trump national spokesperson and chair of the House Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine — sits down with Brad Swail on Texas Talks to walk through her Texas Women’s Health Initiative: baseline hormone testing, HRT coverage, physician liability, iron and prenatal access, and why she says doctors now practice insurance instead of medicine. Pierson spent 14 years in healthcare, including OB-GYN. She filed a menopause-coverage bill in 2025 that never got a hearing. After the FDA lifted the HRT black-box warning, she took a larger package to the Speaker and got interim charges. In this conversation she explains: • Why she wants insurance to cover physician-prescribed perimenopause and menopause treatment — including testosterone when medically necessary • The case for baseline hormone testing before women get labeled with depression or anxiety • Prior authorization, compounding clinics, and telehealth HRT after the black box came off • Why Medicaid still requires a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and why she wants physicians able to dispense iron and basics in the office • What she heard in her subcommittee’s first hearing on prenatal nutrition and Healthy Texas Women • The gap she flagged in HTW: enrollment is up, participation is down • The next hearing (date TBD) on menopause and perimenopause, including patient testimony at the Capitol Texas Talks — policy conversations with the people shaping Texas. Subscribe for more interviews with Texas lawmakers, agency leaders, and policy experts. Chapters 0:00 If a doctor prescribes it, why can’t you get it? 0:55 Intro: Rep. Katrina Pierson 2:26 How the Women’s Health Initiative started 4:28 Baseline hormone testing 7:37 Physician liability and testosterone 8:51 The $350 pellet vs. the $86 men’s tube 10:04 Why women use testosterone 11:25 Telehealth HRT and prior authorization 13:34 Iron, folic acid, and standing orders 24:19 The black-box studies and starting HRT early 27:33 Yesterday’s subcommittee hearing 28:28 Physician dispense and rural access 31:32 What Healthy Texas Women actually is 33:04 Enrollment up, services down 35:59 How is women’s health in Texas right now? 37:22 North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator 38:42 Close #TexasTalks #KatrinaPierson #WomensHealth #HRT #Menopause #TexasLegislature #txlege 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

Why is it so difficult to know what healthcare will cost before you receive it? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Patrick Quigley, CEO and co-founder of Sidecar Health, following his testimony before the Texas House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability. Quigley explains Sidecar Health’s approach to insurance and why he believes greater price and quality transparency, fewer restrictions on where patients receive care, and stronger financial incentives for consumers could help lower healthcare costs. The conversation explores provider networks, prior authorization, prescription drug prices, clinical quality data and the high cost of delayed care. Quigley also explains how Sidecar’s model rewards members for choosing care that costs less than the plan’s benefit amount and discusses the company’s experience with primary care, mental health services and emergency room utilization. Finally, Quigley discusses Texas’ healthcare affordability debate and what he would like lawmakers to consider as the state approaches the 90th Texas Legislature. 00:00 — Introducing Patrick Quigley01:05 — Sidecar Health & the Healthcare Affordability Problem04:34 — Testifying Before Texas Lawmakers06:15 — What's Wrong With Provider Networks?07:43 — Why Patients Don't Know What Healthcare Costs10:14 — Measuring the Quality of Medical Care15:58 — Networks, Insurance Companies & Patient Choice17:20 — How Much Should Healthcare Cost?20:10 — The Texas Healthcare Opportunity22:12 — Prior Authorization & Trusting Doctors23:37 — Access to Care & Emergency Room Costs26:33 — Prescription Prices & Consumer Incentives29:26 — Why Healthcare Prices Vary by Location32:11 — What Should Texas Lawmakers Do?35:00 — 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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