ZacCast

Latest Episodes:

Barriers to Entrepreneurship Sep 17, 2026

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In this episode of ZacCast, Patrick and Chad nerd out on data quality issues before discussing barriers to entrepreneurship at both the national and local policy levels. Are cities unintentionally biasing toward large, national businesses over more resilient local ownership? Only one way to find out...

The Conversation We Get to Have Sep 03, 2026

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In this episode, Chad and Patrick explore the recent legal victory of Chuck Morone of Strong Towns, the importance of free speech for professionals, and the complexities of local government finance and policy. They discuss how these issues impact city management, infrastructure, and community engagement.

00:48 Chuck Morone's legal case and victory
03:22 The importance of free speech for professionals
12:14 Property tax calculations and the 'no new revenue' rate
21:30 Potential of land value tax as a reform
30:46 Community engagement in city budgeting
40:29 The importance of transparency and accountability

The Brave New World Jun 30, 2026

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On this episode... WE'RE BACK!

After almost a year, we're back and better than ever.

00:19 Return of ZacCast
05:20 The Impact of AI on Business Operations
29:39 AI in Local Government: Challenges and Opportunities
32:57 Navigating Data Center Regulations
37:45 The Impact of AI on Urban Infrastructure
46:58 Automation and the Delivery Experience
54:34 The Future of Personalization in Services

AI for Cities (ZacTax blog)
What is a Context Window (ZacTax blog)

Throwing the kitchen at SB10 Aug 28, 2025

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In this episode, Patrick and Chad discuss the latest twists in SB 10 and what a proposed 1% property tax cap could mean for Texas cities. They break down how appraisal methods are quietly shifting more of the tax burden onto homeowners, why the Legislature’s “populist” fixes may actually worsen the problem, and what cities can do to prepare. From the looming pressure to fee out basic services, to the long-term need for more housing supply, they explore the fiscal tradeoffs facing local governments—and why telling a clearer story to residents and legislators is key to surviving the next round of reform.

Timeline
00:00 - Summer Reflections and Family Adventures
06:15 - Legislative Updates: SB 10 and Property Tax Changes
12:53 - Navigating Local Government Challenges
18:13 - The Burden Shift: Residential vs. Commercial Property Taxes
25:32 - The Future of Housing and Urban Development
34:31 - Impact of Prop 13 on California's Housing Market
40:39 - Understanding Tax Burden and Housing Development
41:09 - It's College Football Season, Baby!

Will the voucher debate spare Texas cities this session? Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Chad and Patrick discuss innovations in local government presented at the AFI conference last week, and check in on the Texas Legislature as the session is kicking into high gear.

Timestamps
00:00 Legislative Updates and AFI Innovations
11:05 The Voucher Debate in Texas Politics
21:02 Local Government Legislation and Its Implications
32:19 Impact of Corporations on Local Economies
34:04 Legislative Challenges and Political Interests
36:11 Property Tax Legislation and Its Implications
40:10 AI in Economic Development: Innovations and Applications
54:38 Building Secure AI Models for Confidential Data

This is an April Fools joke, right? Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Chad and Patrick discuss the current state of the economy, focusing on market uncertainty and the challenges faced by city managers in forecasting sales tax revenues. They explore the importance of data-driven decision-making and the use of leading indicators to understand consumer behavior. The conversation reflects on past economic crises and emphasizes the need for caution in navigating current economic challenges, advocating for a measured approach to decision-making during uncertain times.

00:00 - Market Uncertainty and Economic Indicators
07:28 - Forecasting Sales Tax in Uncertain Times
16:38 - Probabilistic Approaches to Budgeting
23:39 - Leveraging Data Science for Economic Predictions
25:02 - Analyzing Consumer Sentiment and Sales Tax Predictions
30:15 - Historical Context: Lessons from Past Economic Downturns
33:35 - Navigating Current Economic Uncertainty
38:18 - Making Informed Decisions in Times of Crisis
41:37 - Finding Balance: Optimism vs. Pessimism in City Management

What happens in Austin doesn't always stay in Austin Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Chad and Patrick highlight 5 bills pending in the Texas House. What are they, and what might they mean for local governments across the state? Join us to find out!

Timestamps
00:00 Greetings
07:13 On to the legislative session
14:23 HB 250
16:33 HB 416
30:18 HB 217
37:18 HB 1433
52:21 HB 924
56:21 School funding and wrap-up

Hold onto your butts... (property tax edition) Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

In this first episode of 2025, Pat and Chad hit a wide range of topics and do our best to avoid derailing the conversation with too much college football.

Timestamps
04:25 - TPPF Property Tax Proposals
29:51 - TPPF on "Home Sharing"
40:16 - Congestion pricing in New York City
54:12 - Texas AG sues Allstate
67:48 - Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26

Links

Asterisk (Merriam-Webster)
15 Ways to Improve the M&O Property Tax (TPPF)
Defending Home-Sharing is About Protecting Basic Freedoms (TPPF)
Paxton files suit against Allstate, alleges company secretly collected driver's data to raise rates (Houston Chronicle)
Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26 (Texas Comptroller)

The earth's axis vs groundwater Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

In this (probably) final episode of 2024, Pat has a couple of water related articles to discuss. Join us as we talk about how groundwater use is affecting the earth's axis; how bottled water may be way less healthy than tap water; and of course, as we recap the return of Texas vs A&M after 13 long years.

00:00 - Welcome back...
01:37 - Patrick makes excuses for A&M's performance against Texas
05:26 - National Signing Day updates
11:06 - Are we changing the earth's rotation via groundwater usage?
26:14 - Is bottled water even healthy for us?
35:17 - Unpinning an earlier item
36:46 - Remembering a friend of ZacTax
38:00 - Wrap up

Links

Earth tilted 31.5 inches, a study finds. So whose fault is that? Humans, of course. - USA Today
Drinking bottled water is much worse for you than water from a tap - Science Focus Magazine

Fact-checking Patrick

"Hats off to Texas ... they physically annihilated us" - Texas A&M Coach Mike Elko
Gunnar Helm disputes the idea that Kyle Field is super loud - Twitter
Will Anderson says Texas "Hardest Game I've Ever Played In" - Sports Illustrated

The case for public space Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

This week's episode centers on a Texas Monthly piece titled "Why does Texas have so little public land?" Pat and Chad talk about the article and discuss whether cities can improve their development patterns and fiscal health by emphasizing the acquisition of more public space.

Topics
00:52 - Why does Texas have so little public land?
04:28 - Patrick proposes using public land acquisition to combat fiscally unproductive sprawl
07:54 - Distinguishing local parks and green space from urban growth boundaries
08:20 - Why do cities cede the public realm of our neighborhoods to the developer?
11:07 - Why is public space in single family neighborhoods often so non-functional?
13:25 - Life, then spaces, then buildings
14:34 - We've moved public amenities to the private realm
17:01 - To each his own, sans subsidy
17:32 - Should federal land be used for housing?
18:47 - Time to debate urban growth boundaries
25:08 - What causes us to ignore the pain points in our feedback loops?
29:16 - Putting odds on the State of Texas taking a role in growth boundaries
35:52 - Obligatory CFB talk

Links

Why does Texas have so little public land (Texas Monthly / AppleNews)
Carlton's Landing
Jan Gehl - First life, then spaces, then buildings

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