In this episode of the Texas Talks podcast, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Representative Gary Gates of House District 28. Known for his endurance as an Ironman triathlete and his leadership as Chairman of the Land and Resource Management Committee, Rep. Gates dives into two major legislative initiatives: expanding vocational education for high school students and reforming Housing Finance Corporations (HFCs) to protect taxpayers and increase transparency.

They discuss Gates' landmark vocational training bill (HB 20), which aims to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand jobs without the burden of college debt. The conversation then shifts to housing policy and HB 21, addressing how certain entities exploit tax exemptions without delivering true affordable housing, costing Texas billions in revenue.

If you're interested in policy, education reform, housing legislation, or Texas state politics, this episode delivers a deep dive into the state's most pressing issues.

🔗 Full episode links and show resources in the description below!

Senator Paul Bettencourt returns to Texas Talks for a wide-ranging conversation on the most significant legislative moves shaping Texas today. From a record-breaking property tax relief package to launching the largest education savings account program, Bettencourt dives into the priorities driving the 2025 legislative session. Host Brad Swail explores school choice, support for special needs education, and how reforms are tackling housing affordability and tax burdens for Texas seniors. It’s a deep look at policy changes with real-life impact.

Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain (HD-128) for a wide-ranging and candid conversation on some of the most pressing legislative issues in the Lone Star State. Rep. Cain discusses the landmark push for universal school choice through Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), the controversial "District of Austin" bill, and his strong stance against taxpayer-funded lobbying.

Cain also shares his views on how to phase out property taxes, tackle local government overspending, and what he sees as the future of public education in Texas. They also explore the implications of recent legislation affecting memes and political speech, and how civic engagement still plays a critical role at the Capitol.

Whether you're a Texas policy wonk, a parent following school choice, or simply a citizen concerned about taxes and governance, this episode delivers clarity, strong opinions, and actionable insights.

🟦 Subscribe for more conversations with Texas lawmakers and policy leaders.

Ashley Spence, founder of the DNA Justice Project and author of Silent Witness, shares her harrowing story of surviving a brutal assault—and how a DNA match seven years later finally brought her attacker to justice. In this powerful episode of Texas Talks, Ashley explains how current laws on DNA collection are saving lives and why rapid DNA technology could revolutionize the criminal justice system. She also opens up about healing, advocacy, and the fight for legislative change in Texas and beyond.

From personal trauma to national reform, this interview is a must-watch for anyone who cares about justice, safety, and the real-world impact of policy.

🔗 Learn more: https://dnajusticeproject.org

In this conversation, we’re joined by Chris Williston, President & CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), representing over 2,000 banks and branches across 700 Texas communities.

🔍 In This Episode:

- The vital role of community banks in rural Texas towns

- Why swipe fee legislation (SB 2026 & HB 4124) could hurt small banks and benefit big-box retailers

- How alternative currencies and stablecoins could drain lending power from local banks

- The legacy of banking in the Williston family and why relationship-based lending still matters

- Behind-the-scenes challenges facing Texas' independent banks

- Chris breaks down complex policy issues in a way that makes sense for everyday Texans and small business owners. If you care about local economies, financial policy, and keeping banking close to home, this is a must-listen.

🔗 Learn more at: https://ibat.org

🎧 Subscribe for more deep-dive conversations from across the Lone Star State.

Why is Texas importing trash from China and Mexico? In this episode of the Texas Talks podcast, Brad Swail sits down with Dr. Raymond Robertson—international economist at Texas A&M and Director of the Mosbacher Institute—to unpack a surprising trade reality: Texas doesn’t recycle enough to meet its own demand for recycled materials. They discuss what economics is really about (hint: it’s human behavior), why bottle deposit systems are gaining attention, how recycling impacts energy use and jobs, and the political push to make Texas a leader in responsible consumption. This is an eye-opening conversation that blends trade policy, environmentalism, and common sense solutions.

In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Senator Molly Cook, a sixth-generation Texan, registered nurse, and first-time elected official representing Senate District 15 in Houston. Senator Cook brings her real-world experience from the emergency room straight into the legislature — and she’s not wasting any time.

They dig into her "Nurse First Agenda," a bold, holistic policy platform rooted in public health, housing stability, emergency preparedness, criminal justice reform, and youth safety. Senator Cook lays out why every bill is a health bill, how clean air and tenant protections save lives, and why CPR training in schools isn’t just nice to have — it’s necessary.

From preventing power outages to keeping kids out of vape shops, this conversation connects the dots between personal experience and statewide policy. Whether you're a parent, a nurse, or just a concerned citizen, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Follow Senator Cook:

https://x.com/MollyforTexas

https://www.instagram.com/mollyfortexas/

https://www.facebook.com/mollyfortexas/

Travis McCormick is the founder of the Make Texans Healthy Again movement, which aims to tackle the alarming rise in chronic diseases, poor nutrition, and preventable health challenges across Texas.

https://www.maketexanshealthyagain.com/

https://x.com/Travis15mcc

James Quintero is the Policy Director for the Taxpayer Protection Project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

James joins the show to discuss property taxes in Texas, proposals to reign them in, M&O taxes paying for bond debt, and much more.

https://www.texaspolicy.com/

https://x.com/JamesQuinteroTX

Graham Dugoni is the CEO and Founder of Over Yondr, a company that produces pouches and other tools to alleviate the intrusion of personal technology to create vital, distraction-free experiences that enrich people’s lives. https://www.overyondr.com/