Why are home prices rising so much faster than incomes? In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, Jose Melendez sits down with Aaron Hedland, White House economist and one of the Trump administration's leading voices on housing policy, to discuss the federal government's latest effort to tackle America's housing affordability crisis.

President Trump's executive order aims to eliminate costly regulations, streamline permitting, reduce unnecessary fees, and remove barriers that make it harder and more expensive to build new homes. Aaron explains how excessive government regulations have added a six-figure "bureaucrat tax" to the cost of housing and why increasing housing supply is the key to restoring affordability.

The conversation also highlights Texas as a national model, examining how pro-growth housing policies, regulatory reform, and increased home construction have helped keep housing more affordable than in states like California.

In this video, you'll learn:

Why housing prices have dramatically outpaced incomes
How government regulations increase the cost of new homes
What President Trump's housing executive order does
The impact of permitting delays, impact fees, and building mandates
Why increasing housing supply lowers costs
How Texas housing reforms compare to other states
Why regulatory reform matters more than housing subsidies
What success would look like for first-time homebuyers and taxpayers

If you care about housing affordability, property rights, economic freedom, homeownership, or Texas public policy, this conversation is for you.

The American Dream of homeownership is becoming harder to achieve but Texas lawmakers are working to change that.

In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF's Jose Melendez sits down with Texas State Senator Brian Hughes to discuss the landmark housing reforms passed during the 89th Legislative Session, the challenges cities are creating in implementing those reforms, and what's next for protecting property rights and expanding housing affordability across Texas.

The conversation also dives into election integrity, including proposals to consolidate local elections, prevent foreign influence in Texas elections, and strengthen voter confidence ahead of the next legislative session.

In this episode:

Why homeownership is becoming less affordable in Texas
How Senate Bill 840 is unlocking thousands of new housing opportunities
Why some cities are resisting state housing reforms
The fight for property rights and accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
What's planned for housing reform in the next legislative session
Why local election dates matter for voter turnout
The push to consolidate elections into November
Preventing foreign money from influencing Texas elections
The future of election integrity in Texas

If you care about property rights, affordable housing, limited government, election integrity, and public policy in Texas, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

On this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF's Jose Melendez sits down with candidate for Texas Comptroller Don Huffines to discuss the role of the Texas Comptroller, how they handle the state's money, Texas DOGE reforms and cutting taxes for Texans. 

How can San Antonio stay affordable, competitive, and accountable to taxpayers? In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, Texas Public Policy Foundation's Jose Melendez sits down with San Antonio City Councilwoman Misty Spears to discuss economic development, artificial intelligence, veteran entrepreneurship, city budgeting, government transparency, housing affordability, public safety, infrastructure, and the future of San Antonio.

Councilwoman Spears shares insights from her recent economic development mission to Taiwan and Japan, where she worked to strengthen international partnerships in cybersecurity, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and advanced manufacturing. She also discusses her proposal for an AI workforce certification program, initiatives supporting veteran-owned small businesses, and her vision for responsible city budgeting that prioritizes core services over government expansion.

The conversation explores some of the most important issues facing Texans today:

✅ Economic Development & Job Creation
✅ Artificial Intelligence & Workforce Training
✅ Veteran Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth
✅ Government Transparency & Accountability
✅ Public Safety & Infrastructure Investment
✅ Property Taxes & Affordability Challenges
✅ Housing Policy & Homeownership Opportunities
✅ Local Control vs. State Oversight
✅ Audits, Budget Reform & Taxpayer Protection
✅ The Future of San Antonio & Texas Growth

If you're interested in Texas politics, local government, taxpayer advocacy, economic growth, housing affordability, public policy, city budgets, government transparency, and the future of San Antonio, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

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On this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, recorded live at TPS 2026, Jose Melendez sits down with Lauren Bouton of Airbnb to break down the growing debate over short-term rental regulations in Texas.

In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, we sit down with Brad Bailey, Chairman of The Woodlands Township, to break down one of the most successful low-tax government models in Texas.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Von Ormy, Texas Mayor Art Martinez de Vara to discuss the importance of responsible, accountable, and transparent local government.

How do county decisions impact your property taxes, local debt, and government transparency? In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, Jose Melendez, Campaign Director of the Taxpayer Protection Project, sits down with Mark Henry, County Judge of Galveston County, for a deep dive into fiscal discipline at the local level.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Lago Vista, Texas Mayor Shane Saum to break down how decisions made at city halls across Texas directly impact local taxpayers.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez is joined by Alex Horowitz of the Pew Charitable Trusts to discuss the growing housing affordability crisis in the United States and Texas.