Texas Talks

Latest Episodes:

AI and Public Policy: Transforming Government w/Tanner Jones & Chris Minge Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

This episode kicks off the Texas Talks Special Series: AI and Public Policy, a multi-part series exploring how artificial intelligence will reshape governance at every level in the years ahead.

Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace — but can government keep up?

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Tanner Jones and Chris Minge, cofounders of Vulcan Technologies, to launch the series with a deep dive into how AI is already transforming the private sector — and why government risks falling dangerously behind if it fails to adapt.

Jones and Minge explain how their company is working to bring “frontier AI” into state and federal government, giving policymakers the tools to better understand laws, budgets, and regulatory systems in real time. They argue that without modernization, the gap between private-sector innovation and government capability could grow so wide that it undermines effective governance.

The discussion also dives into the structural problems holding government back — from outdated procurement systems to legacy vendors delivering obsolete technology — and how those inefficiencies impact everything from permitting to policymaking.

The conversation also covers:
• Why government technology often lags years behind the private sector
• How outdated procurement systems slow innovation and increase costs
• The risks of governments relying on outdated AI models
• Why AI should serve as a tool for policymakers — not replace them
• How Vulcan’s platform helps navigate massive legal and regulatory datasets
• The challenge of building clean, usable government data from fragmented systems
• How AI can reduce months-long processes (like permitting) down to days
• The dangers of a fragmented, state-by-state regulatory patchwork
• Why startups — not just legacy vendors — are critical to innovation in government
• How Texas is positioning itself as a national leader in AI-driven governance
• The broader economic and policy implications of AI adoption

Jones and Minge also highlight real-world results, including dramatic reductions in time spent on routine government tasks and the ability for public servants to focus more on high-level policy work instead of clerical processes.

Looking ahead, they argue that states like Texas that successfully integrate AI into governance will see faster economic growth, more efficient public services, and a stronger competitive advantage — while those that fail to adapt risk falling further behind.

00:00 — Introduction to AI and public policy series
00:27 — Tanner Jones and Chris Minge introduce Vulcan Technologies
01:10 — Founders’ background and company origin story
02:28 — The growing gap between private sector and government tech
03:55 — Why outdated government tech threatens the “Republic”
05:10 — Procurement failures and legacy vendors explained
06:59 — Why citizens often have better AI tools than government
07:47 — Are government buyers equipped to evaluate tech?
09:08 — How AI models rapidly become outdated
10:38 — Concerns about AI accuracy, hallucinations, and control
11:49 — AI as a tool vs decision-maker in government
13:13 — What happens if government falls too far behind
14:38 — Procurement bottlenecks and adoption challenges
16:10 — Vendor lock-in and inflated government tech costs
17:54 — Why Vulcan ships updates differently
18:58 — Real-world use cases: governors and policymaking tools
20:15 — Navigating legal, budget, and regulatory systems with AI
21:26 — Why generic AI tools fail for government use
22:42 — Building massive legal datasets from scratch
24:06 — The challenge of unusable government data (PDFs, scans)
26:17 — Texas innovation and the Regulatory Efficiency Office
27:47 — The risks of a fragmented AI regulatory patchwork
29:20 — Balancing AI innovation with necessary guardrails
31:16 — Compliance challenges and FedRAMP
33:02 — Real-world example: fixing permitting bottlenecks
35:23 — What becomes possible with AI in government
37:08 — Cleaning up contradictory laws and regulations
38:43 — Real results: time savings and productivity gains
41:21 — The future of AI-driven governance in Texas
44:06 — Economic growth and competitive advantage from AI adoption
45:03 — Closing thoughts and where to learn more

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The Future of Texas' Court System Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how Texas courts and the justice system must evolve to serve a rapidly growing state.

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, and Luis Soberon, Senior Policy Advisor and In House Counsel at Texas 2036, for a forward-looking conversation about the future of courts, access to justice, and judicial reform in Texas.

As Texas adds more residents, more businesses, and more complexity to its economy, the demands on the justice system are growing as well. Chief Justice Jefferson and Soberon discuss how population growth affects everything from family law and criminal dockets to business disputes and court backlogs — and why the state must modernize now if it wants to preserve public trust and timely access to justice by 2036.

The conversation also examines how Texas courts have already evolved through electronic filing, virtual hearings, and greater public transparency, while also looking ahead to the next wave of change driven by AI, data systems, and digital tools that could make the justice system more accessible and more efficient.

The discussion also covers:
• Why access to justice still depends too heavily on who can afford a lawyer
• How legal aid, pro bono work, and technology can help narrow that gap
• The role of e-filing, courtroom livestreams, and digital systems in modernizing courts
• How AI could improve legal access and court administration without replacing human judgment
• Why Texas may need more courts, more judges, and stronger court funding as the state grows
• Whether partisan judicial elections still make sense in a more populous and polarized Texas
• Why court data and transparency are essential to understanding backlog, performance, and reform
• How simple changes like text reminders and clearer notices can improve compliance and reduce harm
• Why backlog reduction and access to justice may be the clearest markers of success by 2036

Chief Justice Jefferson argues that Texas should aim to become a national leader in ensuring every resident can protect their most basic rights in court, while Soberon emphasizes that better data, smarter administration, and sustained investment will be critical if the justice system is going to keep pace with Texas’s future.

Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors.

00:00 — Introduction to the Future of Texas series and today’s justice focus
00:29 — Why population growth puts pressure on Texas courts
01:14 — Guests introduced: Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson and Luis Soberon
02:26 — What it means for justice to evolve in a growing state
03:22 — Access to justice and why cost remains the biggest barrier
04:15 — Technology, remote hearings, and how courts have already changed
05:44 — Chief Justice Jefferson on modernizing the Texas court system
07:16 — AI, court technology, and the future of legal access
09:53 — The growing gap between people who have lawyers and people who do not
11:22 — Legal aid, self-help tools, and high-volume civil cases
15:20 — How AI could transform legal work without replacing judges or lawyers
20:04 — How growth affects court demand, specialization, and business courts
24:25 — More judges, more courts, and pressure on judicial elections
27:53 — Can judicial independence survive a hyperpartisan environment?
32:23 — What a chief justice actually does in the Texas court system
37:30 — The data problem in Texas courts and why it matters
41:06 — How better data could reveal backlog, performance, and reform needs
47:30 — Transparency, text reminders, and making courts easier to navigate
53:08 — State policy changes needed to modernize Texas justice
56:16 — The one metric that will show whether Texas got it right by 2036

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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Current and Future Justice Reforms in Texas w/ Marc Levin Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Marc Levin, Chief Policy Counsel at the Council on Criminal Justice, for a wide-ranging conversation about where criminal justice reform stands in Texas today — and what lawmakers should be focused on next.

Levin reflects on his long history in Texas criminal justice policy, from the 2007 reforms that helped the state avoid building thousands of new prison beds to the current push for a smarter, more data-driven justice system. He explains why public safety remains the core mission of government, but argues that Texas works best when policy is guided by proportionality, fairness, accountability, and evidence about what actually reduces crime and recidivism.

The conversation explores recent reforms from the 89th Texas Legislature, including expanded pretrial funding, parole process changes through the Sunset review of TDCJ, and the constitutional amendment updating bail rules. Levin also discusses why plea bargaining deserves more scrutiny, how better data could help policymakers compare sentences and outcomes across counties, and why transparency matters if Texas wants to know whether its justice system is truly working.

The discussion also covers:
• The importance of pretrial services and front-loading treatment and support
• Geriatric parole and streamlining release decisions for low-risk elderly inmates
• Why Texas still needs better sentencing and recidivism data
• The debate over prison air conditioning and what “smart justice” should mean
• How AI can help solve crimes and inform decisions — without replacing human judgment
• Why veterans need better identification and support within the justice system
• Clean slate proposals for automatic record sealing of minor misdemeanors
• Fentanyl testing strips as a harm-reduction tool to save lives
• “Second look” sentencing for people who committed serious crimes as juveniles
• Why trust in the justice system may be just as important as recidivism rates

Levin makes the case that Texas has already shown it can lower both crime and incarceration at the same time — but only if lawmakers keep focusing on reforms that are practical, measurable, and rooted in outcomes rather than rhetoric.

00:00 — Introduction and Marc Levin joins the podcast
01:05 — Marc Levin’s background and Texas criminal justice reform history
03:38 — What a smarter justice system actually looks like
05:16 — The biggest reforms from the 89th Texas Legislature
06:45 — Pretrial services, treatment, and front-loaded support
08:29 — Plea bargains, coercion, and the “trial penalty”
10:47 — Why Texas needs better sentencing and justice system data
12:45 — TDCJ Sunset review and parole process changes
16:18 — Prison air conditioning and the debate over humane conditions
19:17 — Why solving more crimes matters more than harsher conditions
21:36 — How AI is changing criminal justice policy
24:24 — Risk assessments, facial recognition, and guardrails for AI
29:00 — Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature
29:45 — Veterans justice reform and better reentry support
34:08 — Clean slate policy and sealing minor misdemeanor records
35:54 — Fentanyl testing strips and harm reduction
38:06 — Second look sentencing for juveniles
40:18 — Is recidivism the best metric for justice reform?
43:26 — Long-term Texas trends in crime, incarceration, and reform
45:13 — Final thoughts: data, trust, and what Texas should do next

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The Future of Megaregions Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how rapid population growth is reshaping the state — and what it will take to manage that growth successfully over the next decade.

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Henry Cisneros, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former mayor of San Antonio, and A.J. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President at Texas 2036, for a deep dive into the rise of Texas “mega regions” — particularly the fast-growing Austin–San Antonio corridor.

With Texas now exceeding 31 million residents and continuing to grow rapidly, the conversation focuses on how interconnected metropolitan regions — including the broader Texas Triangle — are becoming the true drivers of economic growth, population expansion, and global competitiveness.

Cisneros and Rodriguez explain that Texas is no longer defined primarily by rural or energy-based economies, but by large, dynamic urban regions producing the majority of the state’s GDP. They argue that the key challenge ahead is not whether Texas will grow — but whether leaders can plan effectively to manage that growth.

The discussion also covers:
• The rise of the Austin–San Antonio mega region and the broader Texas Triangle
• Why regional collaboration — not city-by-city planning — is critical to future success
• Housing affordability challenges and the risks of underbuilding
• Water supply, infrastructure gaps, and long-term sustainability concerns
• Transportation bottlenecks, congestion, and the need for rail and mobility innovation
• Workforce development, education, and closing the postsecondary attainment gap
• Economic mobility, poverty challenges, and the importance of human capital investment
• Lessons from other global regions that failed — or succeeded — in managing growth

The conversation highlights a central theme: Texas is at a pivotal moment. With the right planning, coordination, and investment, it could become one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world — but failure to act could lead to congestion, affordability crises, and missed opportunity.

00:00 — Introduction to Texas growth and the Future of Texas series
00:25 — Texas population growth and rise of mega regions
01:15 — Guests introduced: Henry Cisneros and A.J. Rodriguez
02:01 — Urbanization and the Texas Triangle explained
03:36 — Why Texas growth is inevitable — and what’s at stake
05:09 — Regionalism and planning for 2036 population growth
06:18 — Austin–San Antonio mega region and regional identity
08:14 — Economic power of Texas metro regions
09:44 — Texas as a global economic competitor
10:38 — Collaboration vs competition between cities
11:32 — Infrastructure challenges: transportation and congestion
16:11 — Water supply risks and long-term planning
18:43 — Housing affordability and supply challenges
22:08 — Economic mobility and poverty concerns
25:02 — Workforce development and education gaps
29:00 — Need for regional coordination and governance structures
32:04 — Rail, mobility innovation, and future transportation
37:00 — Role of state government and policy coordination
41:34 — Lessons from other regions that failed to plan
45:13 — Global competition and Texas’s economic potential
52:17 — Preparing the workforce for AI and future jobs
54:56 — What Texas must focus on before 2036
57:04 — Final vision: what Texas could become if done right

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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Future of Work in Texas: Skills, Mobility, Opportunity w/Roy Spence & Renzo Soto (Future of Texas) Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores a critical question: how does Texas ensure its economic growth translates into real opportunity, mobility, and purpose for its people?

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Roy Spence, co-founder and longtime chairman of GSD&M and founder of the Make It Movement and the Purpose Institute, along with Renzo Soto, Deputy Director of Education and Workforce Policy at Texas 2036, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of work in Texas.

The discussion focuses on skills, workforce readiness, career awareness, and how Texas can better connect students and workers to meaningful, high-opportunity careers. Soto explains how Texas is trying to align education and workforce systems earlier and more effectively, including through dual credit, career and technical education, outcomes-based funding, and better data connections between schools, colleges, and the labor market.

Spence argues that Texas does not just have a workforce challenge — it has a marketing challenge. He makes the case that young Texans and their families need clearer, more inspiring language around purpose, careers, and financial independence, and that the state must do a far better job of showing students the real opportunities available to them while they are still in school.

The conversation also explores:
• Why Texas is outperforming much of the country on enrollment and workforce growth
• The “90-60-30” challenge in postsecondary attainment
• How dual credit, CTE, and early career exploration can change student outcomes
• Why purpose matters just as much as paycheck
• How AI is reshaping work and why AI literacy matters for students and workers
• The importance of better education-to-workforce data
• Why Texas can lead the nation by helping more people “make it in Texas”

This is a big-picture conversation about how Texas can turn growth into real opportunity — not just for students entering the workforce, but for workers, families, and communities across the state.

00:00 — Introduction to the Future of Texas series and guest introductions
00:57 — Roy Spence on purpose, partnership, and marketing as a force for good
04:05 — Renzo Soto on why the future of work matters to Texas 2036
05:35 — The “90-60-30” challenge and postsecondary opportunity in Texas
07:18 — Why Texas is bucking national enrollment trends
11:10 — Roy Spence on purpose, talent, and not trying to be average
14:04 — The marketing problem: making Texans aware of career pathways
17:23 — Choice, purpose, and helping young people discover meaningful work
19:59 — Stress points in Texas: credentials, awareness, and workforce shortages
20:46 — Why better data is critical to workforce alignment
25:14 — AI, disruption, and preparing students for a changing economy
30:25 — How to make skilled careers exciting and purposeful
33:23 — What parents want and the case for financial independence
36:41 — Why early exploration and CTE opportunities matter
42:05 — What Texas is doing right on outcomes and accountability
48:49 — Rebranding pathways and measuring how many Texans are “making it”
57:22 — Final thoughts on success, purpose, and the Texas identity

Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors.

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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Using AI to Improve Transparency w/Charles Blain Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Brad Swail welcomes Charles Blain—Houston Chronicle contributor, Manhattan Institute City Journal writer, Fox 26 panelist, author of the forthcoming The Brotherhood of Facts (Johns Hopkins Press, spring 2027), and founder of Local Insights.

Charles shares how an accidental AI-assisted review of Houston Metro contract documents uncovered a $215k-to-$4.2M ballooning deal tied to board chair conflicts—ultimately leading to cancellation after public pushback. He explains how Local Insights aggregates Texas local government data (budgets, bonds, agendas, campaign finance, property records, business ownerships, jail stats, court filings) into searchable dashboards, cross-references, trend alerts, and interrogatable interfaces—empowering everyday citizens, journalists, and activists to hold officials accountable without needing newsroom resources.

They discuss AI’s role in leveling the civic playing field: parsing dense agendas, flagging anomalies, aiding open records fights, and educating users on government mechanics (strong vs. weak mayor systems, charters, CAFRs vs. budgets). Charles critiques Trump-era talk of banning institutional homebuyers (mostly mom-and-pop investors, not mega-corps) and argues Texas should focus on permitting reform, standardized processes, property tax relief (e.g., incentives for first-time buyers near aging parents), and deeper transparency mandates to boost affordability.

Essential for anyone tracking Texas local governance, transparency, housing policy, or AI in public accountability. Visit localinsights.ai (or follow @CJBlain10 on X) for more. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify for Texas Talks.

00:00:00 - Welcome to Texas Talks
00:00:06 - Guest Intro: Charles Blain – Writer, Commentator & Founder of Local Insights
00:00:51 - Meeting in Person After Years of Online Collaboration
00:01:36 - Charles’s Background: Houston Chronicle, City Journal, Fox 26, Forthcoming Book
00:02:19 - Origin of Local Insights: Accidental AI Use on Houston Metro Contract
00:03:45 - Metro Scandal Breakdown: $215k → $4.2M Contract & Board Chair Conflict
00:05:30 - How AI Flagged Issues & Led to Contract Cancellation
00:06:26 - Building Tools: From Templates to Civic Data Platform
00:07:23 - Hermann Park / Ben Taub Eminent Domain Dashboard Example
00:08:06 - Civic Engagement Mission: Leveling the Field for Citizens
00:09:35 - Who It’s For: Citizens, Journalists, Busy People Seeking Transparency
00:10:23 - Presentation to Water Board Directors & Early Demand
00:11:41 - Special Purpose Districts, Water Districts & Citizen Tools
00:12:51 - Full Platform: Every Texas Local Government Data (Budgets, Bonds, Agendas, Campaign Finance)
00:13:40 - Cross-Referencing: TDCJ, Campaign Finance, Property Records, Business Ownership
00:15:19 - Agenda Interrogation, Alerts & Jurisdiction Comparisons
00:17:11 - State-Level Data (Contracts, Legislative, Open Records)
00:18:13 - Public Information Act Tools: Collaboration, Filing Help & Trends
00:19:51 - Disappointing Need for This Tool + Future of Civic Transparency
00:21:22 - Educational Library: Government Basics (Strong/Weak Mayor, Charters, CAFRs)
00:22:51 - Property Taxes Confusion at Council Meetings & Clear Visuals
00:24:40 - Building Connections: Why Votes Happen, Potential Anomalies
00:26:34 - State Policy Ideas: Standardization, Deeper Transparency Mandates
00:27:35 - Jail Data, Court Filings & Missing Details Across Counties
00:29:02 - Personal Financial Statements & Persistent Denial Issues
00:30:31 - Who Uses It: Busy Citizens, Journalists, Activists
00:31:47 - Urgency: Local Accountability Drives Bigger Change
00:32:26 - Housing & Institutional Investors: Critique of Ban Proposals
00:33:47 - Mom-and-Pop vs. Mega Investors & Affordability Realities
00:35:21 - State Fixes: Property Tax Relief, First-Time Buyer Incentives
00:36:57 - Permitting Reform & Standardization as Key to Affordability
00:39:56 - AI in Permitting, Protests & Exemption Tracking
00:41:51 - Closing Thanks & Plugs: @CJBlain10 on Social

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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Educating Tomorrow’s Texas: From Classrooms to Careers w/Mike Morath & Mary Lynn Pruneda (Future of Texas) Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Brad Swail sits down with Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and Mary Lynn Pruneda (Texas 2036 Director of Education & Workforce Policy) for a forward-looking conversation on the future of Texas public education. They discuss post-COVID recovery (literacy at all-time highs, math still climbing), the game-changing Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) shifting to performance-based pay and creating more six-figure teacher salaries, the role of timeless classics vs. accelerating technology (robots, AI, tablets), parental guidance on AI/ChatGPT risks, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) growth and school choice diversity, A-F accountability rigor increases, why leadership matters more than funding alone, extended learning time incentives, and the key metrics Texas 2036 is tracking—on-grade reading/math proficiency and career readiness—for Texas to thrive by its 2036 bicentennial. Perfect for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone tracking Texas schools. Visit texas2036.org for progress tracking. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for the Future of Texas series.

00:00:08 - Welcome & Series Intro: Future of Texas Education
00:00:33 - Guest Introductions: Commissioner Mike Morath & Mary Lynn Pruneda
00:01:07 - Why They're Optimistic About Texas Education's Future
00:03:01 - Where Texas Stands Today: Post-COVID Literacy & Math Recovery
00:05:03 - Biggest Reform to Celebrate: Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)
00:06:31 - How TIA Works: Merit Pay, Six-Figure Salaries & Projected Growth
00:08:45 - Education in 2036: Technology Acceleration & Enduring Fundamentals
00:09:50 - Robots, AI & the Chinese Boomi Example
00:11:14 - Why Classics & Timeless Wisdom Still Matter Most
00:13:51 - Smart Use of Tech Tools vs. Replacing Good Teaching
00:15:46 - Math & Science as Immutable Foundations
00:17:56 - AI/ChatGPT in Schools: Opportunities & Parental Risks
00:20:13 - Controlled Tech Access & Building Discernment
00:23:10 - Intentionality: Avoiding "Shiny" Tech Distractions
00:25:06 - Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): Early Demand & Future Growth
00:27:02 - School Choice, Competition & Diversity of Options
00:29:33 - Accountability: A-F Ratings, Rigor Increases & Interventions
00:33:22 - Funding vs. Leadership: Why Management Choices Matter More
00:36:12 - Extended Learning Time Incentives & Global Comparisons
00:38:19 - Texas 2036 Tracking: On-Grade Reading/Math & Career Readiness
00:39:12 - Recruiting, Supporting & Retaining Great Teachers by 2036
00:41:21 - Closing Thoughts & Call to Action: texas2036.org

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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Property Taxes, the Texas Liberty Compact, and the Fight for Real Reform w/Jeramy Kitchen Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

After the 2026 primaries delivered a fresh wave of “new blood” in the Legislature, will property taxes finally get crushed… or will the same old insider games continue?

In this hard-hitting episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Jeramy Kitchen, President of Texas Policy Research and the driving force behind the brand-new Texas Liberty Compact. Jeramy breaks down exactly what the primary results mean for the 90th Legislature, why compression beats gimmick exemptions, how to finally kill taxpayer-funded lobbying, and the 10 structural reforms that could reshape Texas for a generation.

If you’re tired of skyrocketing property taxes, backroom deals, and government bloat — this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

What you’ll learn: • Why “new blood” in Austin is both exciting and risky • The REAL difference between homestead exemptions and true compression • How the Texas Liberty Compact turns voter frustration into lasting reform • The next big fights: data centers, regulatory overreach, and budget transparency.

00:00 — Welcome and Jeramy Kitchen introduction
02:25 — 2026 primary results: mixed bag or game changer?
05:06 — Why “new blood” in the legislature matters
06:58 — Property tax reform and what could happen in 2027
08:44 — Compression explained and why it’s the most equitable fix
17:01 — The Texas Liberty Compact and its 10 policy planks
19:01 — Ending taxpayer-funded lobbying
22:48 — Limiting local spending and debt and stronger voter approval
28:34 — Making government transparent and understanding the budget
37:55 — Big policy fights ahead: data centers and regulation
41:07 — Closing thoughts and how Texans can get involved

If you want honest, no-spin analysis of what’s coming to Austin next year, hit PLAY, smash that LIKE, and drop a comment: “What’s YOUR #1 issue for the 90th Legislature?”

Subscribe for more unfiltered Texas policy deep-dives every week!

Visit Texas Policy Research: https://www.texaspolicyresearch.com

Read the full Texas Liberty Compact: https://texaslibertycompact.com

Follow Jeramy: https://x.com/JeramyKitchen

Turn on notifications — the 90th Legislature is coming fast, and this episode gives you the inside track!

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Innovation Nation: Texas’ Next Economic Boom (Future of Texas) Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Future of Texas is a special limited series from Texas Talks exploring the ideas, leaders, and innovations shaping the state’s next century.

As Texas approaches its bicentennial in 2036, this series brings together some of the state’s most influential thinkers—from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to policy experts and public leaders—to discuss the opportunities and challenges that will define Texas for generations to come.

Each episode features in-depth conversations with guests who are actively shaping the state’s economic, technological, and policy landscape. In the first episode, host Brad Swail sits down with Joe Lonsdale, venture capitalist, founder of the Cicero Institute, and co-founder of Palantir Technologies, alongside John Hryhorchuk, Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy at Texas 2036. Together they explore Texas’s emerging role as a national hub for innovation and what must be done to sustain that momentum—from infrastructure and workforce development to AI, energy, and economic growth.

Throughout the series, Future of Texas highlights the people and ideas working to ensure that Texas remains a leader in opportunity, entrepreneurship, and prosperity well into the next century.

Learn more and sign up for the newsletter:

https://Texas2036.org

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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The Texas Miracle, Data Centers, and the Future of Business in Texas w/Megan Mauro Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Is the “Texas Miracle” still alive — and what does it take to keep Texas competitive in 2026 and beyond?

In this episode of Texas Talks, Megan Mauro, Interim President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business (TAB), joins Brad Swail to break down the state of the Texas economy. As the state chamber of commerce representing businesses of every size and industry, TAB sits at the center of Texas’ pro-growth policy debates.

Mauro explains how Texas maintains its reputation as a top business destination — from no personal or corporate income tax to regulatory consistency and recent property tax relief for small businesses. She discusses HB 9’s business personal property tax exemption increase, why consistency across Texas’ 254 counties matters, and how the Legislature is approaching affordability and housing challenges.

The conversation also dives into:

Why Texas is the 7th largest economy in the world
Attracting corporate headquarters while protecting small businesses
The importance of USMCA for Texas trade
Workforce alignment between industry and education
Childcare as a workforce issue
Why data centers and AI are both economic and national security priorities
Texas’ “all of the above and below” energy strategy

Mauro makes the case that a thriving business climate isn’t just about corporations — it’s about livelihoods, job creation, and ensuring Texas families can continue building the American dream.

As the 90th Texas Legislature approaches, this episode explores what policies will shape the next chapter of the Texas economy.

00:00 — Introduction and Megan Mauro’s background
01:12 — What the Texas Association of Business does
03:13 — Light regulation and pro-business principles
04:35 — The Texas Miracle and economic growth
06:29 — Why industry diversity matters in Texas
10:01 — Data centers, AI, and national security
14:53 — Tech policy and regulatory consistency
18:47 — Balancing legacy industries with innovation
21:01 — Property tax reform and small business relief
27:10 — Affordability and housing challenges
29:21 — Energy policy and grid reliability
30:59 — Advocacy in Washington and USMCA
34:45 — Workforce development and childcare solutions
38:37 — TAB Foundation and education initiatives

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