TPPF's Derek Cohen and Jose Melendez catch up on the latest from the 89th Legislative Session and subsequent special sessions with Rep. Cole Hefner. They dive into the quorum break that put Texas in the national political spotlight before discussing policy issues like property tax reform, taxpayer-funded lobbying, housing affordability, and safeguarding Texas from foreign adversaries.

00:53 – Hot Take: Jose Melendez on the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon
04:12 – Rep. Cole Hefner: From Citizen to Chairman – His Journey to Public Service
06:19 – Addressing Quorum Breaks: Stiffer Penalties and Legislative Challenges
07:10 – Priorities for the Current Special Session
08:59 – Property Taxes: Balancing State Relief and Local Government Accountability
11:09 – Appraisal Reform: Ensuring Fairness and Predictability
12:40 – Banning Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
15:04 – Housing Affordability: HB 840 and Revitalizing Downtown Texas
17:56 – SB 17: Protecting Texas Land from Hostile Foreign Adversaries
22:50 – TRACE Act and Protecting Texas Schools from Foreign Influence
25:42 – Senate Bill 1362: Banning Red Flag Laws and Upholding Due Process
30:16 – Transportation: Addressing CDL Standards and Interstate Challenges
33:17 – Water Issues in Texas: Balancing Growth and Private Property Rights
36:15 – Looking Ahead: Key Issues for the 90th Legislative Session
41:14 – Survey Says: Addressing Voter Discontent with Government Responsiveness

Hosts Derek Cohen and Andrew Brown talk with Texas State Representative Stan Gerdes (HD-17) about a variety of policy issues addressed in the 89th Legislature. Tune in for the latest on water policy challenges, the future of nuclear energy, local government transparency, and the new smart device ban in schools. Plus, Rep. Gerdes dishes on representing both the Barbecue Capital of the World (Lockhart) and the home of the legendary Snow’s BBQ (Lexington).

1:05 - Hot Take: What Should Be a Crime?

3:09 - Barbecue Talk: Lockhart vs. Snow’s BBQ

5:07 - Rep. Gerdes’ Political Journey with Gov. Rick Perry

10:22 - Water Policy: Challenges and the Vista Ridge Project

13:22 - Nuclear Energy: Texas as the Epicenter

16:02 - HB 119: Banning Foreign Adversary Lobbying

18:17 - HB 1522: Local Government Transparency

25:30 - HB 2017: Grayson's Law (Intoxication Manslaughter Penalties)

30:51 - HB 4086: Stopping Urban Food Waste Dumping

35:02 - Unfinished Business: Local Taxation and Water Issues

38:00 - Post-Interview: More Barbecue and Legislative Updates

39:32 - News: West Texas A&M Drag Ban Discussion

44:14 - News: Cell Phone Ban in Texas Schools

50:28 - News: Travis County Bridge Rebuild Success

52:49 - Survey Says: National Guard in Washington, D.C.

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen unpack the heated Texas special session, covering the ongoing redistricting battle, the Texas Women's Privacy Act (SB 7), and critical flood response efforts in the Hill Country. From quorum breaks to property tax reforms and the push to replace the STAAR test, we explore the policies and politics shaping Texas.

1:37 - Hot Take: Presidential Privileges & Trump’s FIFA Moment
4:45 - Redistricting Debate: Is It Unconstitutional?
18:15 - Texas Women’s Privacy Act (Bathroom Bill) Update
22:45 - Flood Emergency Response Proposals
32:08 - Eliminating the STAAR Test: What’s Next?
35:52 - Property Tax Relief with SB 9
42:09 - Harris Poll: Kids, Smartphones, and Unsupervised Play
50:07 - Potential Dallas Death Star Bill Lawsuit
53:14 - What to Watch

In this episode of The Right Idea, co-hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Jill Tate, Vice President of Legislation for the Texas Federation of Republican Women and a powerhouse conservative activist. Jill shares her journey from a young Reagan supporter to a key player in Texas politics, diving into critical issues like school choice, property taxes, energy policy, and the fight against taxpayer-funded lobbying. They also discuss the resilience of Texas culture, the upcoming special session, and what’s next for the 90th Legislature.

05:13 - Jill Tate’s background as a Texas super activist and precinct chair

06:02 - How Jill got involved in conservative activism and politics

10:02 - Evolution of Texas politics and the shift to a conservative stronghold

14:39 - Texas cultural resilience and the significance of the Alamo

21:03 - Recap of the 89th Legislature: Successes in school choice, energy, and AI

23:31 - Jill’s personal story on school choice and its impact on her son

30:03 - Energy policy: Nuclear power and securing Texas’ grid

33:59 - SB 1283: Protecting seniors in retirement communities

37:24 - Special session priorities: Women’s Privacy Act and ending STAAR testing

42:30 - Looking ahead to the 90th Legislature: Energy and emerging issues

45:11 - Water issues in Texas: Balancing rural and urban needs

46:40 - Gambling in Texas: Concerns about social and economic impacts

49:33 - Reforming Texas’ committee process for better legislative hearings

1:05:11 - The fight to end taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas

In this episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by EJ Antoni, Chief Economist at the Heritage Foundation. They analyze the Trump economy six months into his presidency—covering job growth, tariffs, and housing challenges. Plus, the devastating Texas floods, the upcoming special legislative session, and the potential impact of AI on jobs.

0:27 - Update on Texas' Flood Tragedy
3:16 - Special Session Preview
7:04 - EJ Antoni on the Trump Economy
10:31 - Tariff Policy Concerns
13:40 - June Jobs Report Breakdown
16:01 - Public Perception vs. Economic Data
19:12 - AI’s Future Impact on Jobs
33:53 - Housing Crisis in Texas
40:10 - DOGE: Government Efficiency Push
44:18 - 10 Minute Drill: Survey Says, Jobs Stats, & Special Session Watch

In this explosive episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by Chuck DeVore to dive into the biggest issues shaping Texas and beyond. From President Trump’s bold strike on Iran’s nuclear program to the unexpected Texas special session, we unpack the politics, policy, and people driving the headlines. Plus, we explore Texas’ unmatched job growth and what it means for the state’s future. Don’t miss our hot takes on iconic presidential quotes and the latest on Israel-Iran tensions!

0:00 Intro to Guest Chuck DeVore
4:15 Hot Take: Trump’s F-Bomb heard round the world. What is your favorite war related quote from a president?
9:20 Iran vs. Israel - Where are we as of today?
14:08 Operation Midnight Hammer - How’d we pull it off?
25:23 Is there a MAGA divide?
32:34 Appetite for regime change?
38:03 Does all this expose any weak spots in the US?
48:21 Survey Says: Majority of voters approve of Trump’s maneuvers
53:42 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Tariff hysteria just ain’t there

In this explosive episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Latin America expert Joshua Treviño to unpack the shocking Los Angeles riots, the role of Mexican cartels, and the escalating border security crisis. From ICE raids targeting cartel fronts to Mexican flags waving in U.S. streets, we dive into the hidden connections between the Mexican government, cartels, and U.S. protests. Treviño reveals stunning insights about Mexico’s political operatives in the U.S., the failure of U.S.-Mexico relations, and what Texas can do to protect its borders.

0:00 Intro & Guest Joshua Treviño
4:00 What’s going on in LA, Austin and across the country?
7:35 Today’s civil unrest - Who started it?
9:25. What’s a protest anymore?
13:50 What’s being protested & rioted against?
23:20 What is Mexico’s role in it all?
29:24 Does Mexico think they still own parts of the U.S.?
38:58 Latest polls show Americans prefer order over chaos
45:26 What tools do the U.S. & Texas have?

Join Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen on The Right Idea as they dive into the 89th Texas Legislative Session with Brad Johnson, senior reporter at The Texan. From the unexpected "Kumbaya" harmony among Texas leaders to major conservative victories like bail reform, water funding, and education transparency, this episode breaks down the session’s biggest wins, under-the-radar bills, and what’s next for Texas politics. Will there be a special session? What interim issues are on the horizon? Plus, a fun take on celebrity divorces!

0:00 - Intro & Guest Brad Johnson
1:15 - Hot Take: Craziest Celebrity Divorces
4:12 - Overall narratives of the 89th Texas Legislative Session
15:40 - Most Consequential Bills (Water Deal, Bail Reform, SB 12)
24:50 - Under-the-Radar Legislation (Higher Ed Reform, Semiconductor Protection)
40:03 - What Didn’t Pass? Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban & More
48:15 - The “S” Word Rumors & Interim Priorities

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