The Right Idea

Welcome to The Right Idea, the show where we break down the people, policies, and politics shaping Texas! In Episode 89, TPPF's Chief Communications Officer Bryan Phillips and Chief of Research Derek Cohen give a comprehensive recap of the final week of the Texas legislative session. 🔍 This episode covers: 🚫 The Texas House's final push to ban DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in K-12 educa...

In this episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with David Dunmoyer, Campaign Director for Better Tech for Tomorrow at TPPF, to discuss Texas’ bold leadership in tech policy. From banning social media for minors to pioneering AI regulation, Texas is setting the stage for a safer, innovative future. Learn about the shocking harms of social media on kids, the legisla...

TPPF's Brian Phillips, Derek Cohen, and Andrew Brown break down the final stretch of the Texas legislative session on a major deadline day. They discuss Texas’ foster care system, statewide testing, education funding, taxpayer funded lobbying, and more. 1:50 Hot Take: What page of the calendar will the House end on tonight? 5:24 Foster care in Texas 24:40 The Bell Tolls with the first deadline in...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen have TPPF Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester on to discuss the battle against woke indoctrination in higher education. From the groundbreaking Senate Bill 37 to the decline of DEI programs, we explore how Texas is leading the charge to reform public universities. 2:14 Should we reopen Alcatraz to criminals? 5:00 SB 37 - addressing the growing “wokeness” of...

 Brian Phillips and guest co-host Ariana Guajardo tackle the heated debate on bail reform with Nikki Pressley from Right On Crime, exploring why Texas’ Constitution ties judges’ hands and what Governor Abbott’s push for reform means for public safety. They also explore polling insights from the Texas Lyceum and offer a sneak peek at what’s next for the Texas Legislature. And just for fun, the vira...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen discuss the escalating border security challenges as cartels target Texas with guest Ammon Blair, TPPF Senior Fellow and former Border Patrol agent. They dive into military readiness reforms from the Texas Legislature, deep state resistance to Sec. Pete Hegseth, and close with the local debt crisis driving property taxes. Plus, bail reform! 2:26 Hot Take: Was Joe Bid...

Celebrate a historic win for Texas with host Brian Phillips and returning co-host Derek Cohen on The Right Idea! Dive into the passage of SB 2, marking Texas’ first-ever school choice legislation after over 36 years of conservative advocacy. From the House debate to what’s next, we break it all down. Plus, we discuss record-low illegal border crossings, higher education reforms with SB 37, non-com...

Join host Brian Phillips on The Right Idea as he welcomes Abraham George, Chairman of the  Republican Party of Texas, for an exclusive deep dive into the policies shaping Texas. From the push for school choice and border security to tackling property taxes and taxpayer-funded lobbying, George shares his take on the GOP’s legislative priorities during the 2025 session. Plus, hear his thoughts on Tr...

In this episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips, Chief Communications Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, sits down with Texas State Representative Caroline Harris Davila from House District 52. Elected at just 28 years old, Rep. Harris Davila made waves as the Freshman Legislator of the Year, sending 13 bills to Governor Abbott’s desk in her first session. We dive into her groun...

This week, Brian and Derek enjoy a “powerful” discussion regarding the future of nuclear energy in Texas with the state’s former Chief Operations Officer, Reed Clay. 0:00 Welcome 1:34 Hot Take: What’s your favorite famous political gaffe?  5:47 Introduction to the Texas Nuclear Alliance 7:30 Why has it taken so long for an organization like the Texas Nuclear Alliance to be created? 9:47 What are p...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen have the pleasure of sitting down with Representative Terri Leo-Wilson to discuss the recent developments in education policy under the pink dome, including bringing school choice to Texas. 1:25 Hot Take: Which business would you stop using if they took a key service away? 5:16 How do Representatives prepare for marathon debates? 11:35 Can Texas be pro-teacher AND pr...

TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen react to this week’s nearly 24-hour marathon of testimony and debate over Texas House Bill 3, on Education Savings Accounts. 2:56 Hot Take: Which American product or service would you promote from the White House Lawn? 9:10 Texas House Pub Ed Committee hearing on HB3 reaction 23:35 Department of Education “vacates” 30:59 Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will be t...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by TPPF’s K-12 Education Policy Director, Jorge Borrego, to discuss Texas' proposed Education Savings Account legislation and dispel the common myths around it. 1:19 Hot Take: Should the State of the Union return to merely a written letter to Congress? 7:40 ESAs - What are they and how do they work? 18:05 How will ESAs be prioritized? 24:05 Myth busting -...

Brian and Derek discuss all things “energy,” from fossil fuels to nuclear to yes… even parent empowerment, with Jason Isaac of the American Energy Institute. 0:00 Welcome 2:12 Hot Take: Following Elon’s example, should hats be a trend at all workplaces? 4:48 School Choice is Nigh - we have the votes! 10:02 Landman… is it real? 12:35 Are we officially past the Biden assault on American energy devel...

Brian and Derek review the incredible week’s events at TPPF’s annual Texas Policy Summit, featuring highlights from Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, House Speaker Burrows, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Congressman Chip Roy and so much more!

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen tackle the top headlines of the week, from Valentine's Day decorum, to property tax relief, to the lies and damn lies surrounding school choice. 2:17 Hot Take: How long can you date someone and NOT have to buy them a Valentine’s Day gift? 6:50 Property Tax Relief Update 17:17 DOGE cuts nearly $1 billion from Department of Education 22:25 NIH caps non-research funding...

This week, Brian Phillips and TPPF’s Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown, discuss Governor Abbott’s State of the State address, in which he outlined his top priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. 1:46 Hot Take: Best / Worst Trades in Sports History 9:06 Property Tax Relief 16:08 Water 22:07 Education 31:09 Bail Reform 35:06 The Texas Cyber Command 43:57 Survey Says: GOP & American pub...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen tackle the top headlines of the week, from the NFL cheers, jeers and tears to the State’s 89th Legislative Session and the quick moves Trump has made nationally in merely two weeks since his inauguration. 7:03 Hot Take: Who will win the Super Bowl… and who cares? 10:24 Governor Abbott announced that he will give his State of the State address on Sunday, where he will...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by TPPF’s Secure & Sovereign Texas Campaign Director, Selene Rodriguez, to dive into President Trump’s Executive Orders and other plans to secure our southern border. 1:24 Hot Take: Who would be your unexpected band to headline YOUR inauguration party? 6:13 What are President Trump’s border security oriented Executive Orders? 30:11 Survey Says! U.S. le...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by the State of Texas’ Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, to discuss the current and future state of Texas’ financial integrity. 1:17 Hot Take: What’s your favorite rumor or myth about the Texas Capitol?  4:53 Guest Interview: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar 29:17 Survey Says: America has lost ground over the past four years 35:46 Lies, Damn Lies,...

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen discuss the upcoming Texas Legislative Session and the key issues that lie ahead with TPPF’s Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown. 1:24 Hot Take: New Year’s Resolutions 5:55 Parent Empowerment 8:34 Water 10:55 The Economy 12:37 Property Taxes 16:59 School Choice/Parent Empowerment 25:11 The Border 30:40 Energy 34:36 Higher Education / DEI 36:14 Housing Affordabilit...

Brian and Derek are joined by The Texan’s Senior Reporter, Brad Johnson, to take a fun look back at 2024 and reflect on the year’s highlights, lowlights and even lower lights, typically stemming from AT&T Stadium. 1:27 Hot Take: The O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act would make planting a flag in the center of Ohio Stadium a felony. Overreach much? 4:37 Overall Year In Review 6:32 2024’s Biggest Wins...

In this “In Depth” episode, Derek Cohen and Texas State University professor Matt Logan discuss Matt’s upcoming criminal justice paper in City Journal and how criminal justice policy at the state and federal levels might change following recent election results.

In this “In Depth” episode, Brian discusses the cultural battles being fought from Washington D.C. to Main Street, U.S.A. for and against the nuclear family and the institution of marriage with the Washington Examiner’s Conn Carroll.

Brian Phillips and Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian discuss the role of the Railroad Commission, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Texas energy grid, and ESG. 3:18 Commissioner Christian’s thoughts on the election results and what’s to come 7:14 Efficient Energy Creating and Usage 8:21 What will it be like in having a partner in energy policy in Washington, D.C instead of a foe? 11:38 Wh...