Texas Talks

"Fundamental to achieving change is understanding where you are": @LauraArnoldFdn, co-founder of @Arnold_Ventures, speaks with host @bradswail about the importance of data, analysis, and assessment.

When healthcare costs rise faster than wages year after year, working families end up with fewer choices and thinner budgets. @Avik joined @Texas2036 @TXTalksPodcast to break down current challenges and solutions. Tune in 🎙️ freopp.org/podcasts/avik-…

Focus, scale, and longevity: @davidleebron, President and CEO of @Texas2036, speaks with host @bradswail about crafting effective public policy.

@bradswail @TXTalksPodcast Watch or listen to the episode on your preferred platform. YouTube: buff.ly/jwKIejT Spotify: buff.ly/c44Ddc0 Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/SfG8AHQ

Today, host @bradswail breaks down three major Texas public policy issues affecting families, businesses, and local governments across the state. In this episode of the @TXTalksPodcast, Brad examines the fallout from Texas’ new summer camp safety rules, the state’s new AI-powered regulatory efficiency platform, and Governor Greg Abbott’s proposal to create a statewide prosecutor’s office. Together, these stories highlight a broader question: how can Texas respond to real problems without creating new ones through overregulation, bureaucracy, or excessive centralization?

In a recent episode of the Future of Texas podcast series, hosted by @bradswail, @Tracee_Bentley, President and CEO of @PermianSP, and @jordannwat, Director of Government Affairs at @Texas2036, sat down to map out the high-stakes future of the basin. buff.ly/AFRh4NV

How can policymakers create systems that produce measurable, long-term results instead of temporary political wins? As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode of the @TXTalksPodcast explores what separates effective public policy from policies that simply sound good. Host @bradswail is joined by @LauraArnoldFdn, co-founder of @Arnold_Ventures, and @davidleebron, President and CEO of @Texas2036, for a wide-ranging discussion about evidence-based policymaking, education reform, workforce development, philanthropy, and the long-term future of Texas. Arnold and Leebron explain why data, accountability, and long-term thinking are critical to solving some of Texas’ biggest challenges — from higher education and workforce readiness to housing affordability, infrastructure, criminal justice, and childcare.

In a recent episode of the @TXTalksPodcast, House Public Education Committee Chairman @BradBuckleyDVM said the state’s traditional public schools saw an enrollment decline of approximately 76,000 students for the 2025–2026 school year. buff.ly/daXso9y

"It's the place where people want to be": Jeremy Martin, President and CEO of the @AustinChamber, speaks with host @bradswail about ensuring that Austin remains an attractive destination for people and businesses.

Ensuring net positives for the community: Jeremy Martin, President and CEO of the @AustinChamber, speaks with host @bradswail about evaluating big projects.

The Permian Basin doesn't just produce the gas you put in your car. @jordannwat, Director of Government Affairs at @Texas2036, tells host @bradswail that oil and gas is part of everything from education to consumer goods.

Integrating AI: Jeremy Martin, President and CEO of the @AustinChamber, speaks with host @bradswail about his advice for local businesses.

Texas tax policy: Jeremy Martin, President and CEO of the @AustinChamber, speaks with host @bradswail about competitive advantages and disadvantages when it comes to income, sales, and property taxes.

Proactively addressing workforce needs: @Tracee_Bentley, President and CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership @PermianSP, speaks with host @bradswail about housing challenges.

Betting big on infrastructure: Jeremy Martin, President and CEO of the @AustinChamber of Commerce, speaks with host @bradswail about the positive signals from all the construction projects in the area.

@TXTalksPodcast @bradswail @BradBuckleyDVM Watch or listen to the episode on your preferred platform. YouTube: buff.ly/6L46k5q Spotify: buff.ly/GXUC2BX Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/NFSpb91

What’s really driving declining enrollment in Texas public schools — and how will AI reshape classrooms in the years ahead? On today's episode of the @TXTalksPodcast, host @bradswail sits down with Chairman @BradBuckleyDVM, Chair of the Texas House Public Education Committee, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of public education in Texas. Buckley discusses the major challenges facing schools across the state, from demographic shifts and declining birth rates to school funding pressures, learning loss, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in education. Buckley argues that Texas must continue modernizing public education while remaining focused on core fundamentals like literacy, mathematics, and strong classroom instruction. The takeaway: the future of Texas education will depend on balancing innovation, accountability, and flexibility while ensuring students still receive deep, meaningful learning experiences.

The Permian Basin and world conflicts: @jordannwat, Director of Government Affairs at @Texas2036, and @Tracee_Bentley, President and CEO of @PermianSP, speak with host @bradswail about energy reliability and security.

During periods of global instability, Permian Strategic Partnership @PermianSP President and CEO @Tracee_Bentley tells host @bradswail that the energy produced in Texas remains safe and secure.

Our federal government is at least a year behind where it should be on AI. It is the difference between a task taking fifteen minutes and the same task taking two hours. Multiplied across every agency, every analyst, and every regulatory review, the cost is measured in years of lost productivity and billions in wasted spend. Frontier models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google are deployed across the private sector within weeks of release. The agencies that regulate those same companies are still operating software from a decade ago. The result is regulators trying to oversee industries they cannot keep pace with, using tools they cannot upgrade fast enough.