The Right Idea

In this Season 4 premiere of The Right Idea podcast, TPPF Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips and Chief Policy & Research Officer Derek Cohen dive deep into one of the biggest government fraud stories in America: Minnesota's massive daycare and nutrition program scandals.

Guest John Hart, CEO of Open the Books, joins the show to break down:
– How systemic loopholes and weak oversight enabled billions in fraud
– Why real-time transparency (every dime online, instantly) is the best defense
– The difference between waste vs. fraud and how AI + citizen journalism can expose it
– Lessons from the federal earmarks moratorium that saved ~$140 billion
– Why empowering parents and consumers beats centralized bureaucracy
– Healthcare's perverse incentives, state-level variation, and reforms that actually work

If you're concerned about taxpayer money, government accountability, or the future of fraud prevention in Texas and beyond, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps: 
00:00 – Intro & Season 4 Launch
01:30 – Hot Take: It’s Hollywood Award Season: avoid it or watch the trainwreck? 
05:01 – Guest Intro: John Hart, CEO of Open the Books
05:57 – Anatomy of Government Fraud – Bug or Feature?
07:04 – History of Federal Transparency (Coburn-Obama Law)
10:46 – Real-Time Transparency: Why Every Dime Should Be Online Now
12:34 – Counterarguments to Full Transparency & How to Overcome Them
14:30 – Waste vs. Fraud: Definitions & Real-World Impact
16:00 – Transparency as a Force for Freedom
18:09 – Minnesota's Mistakes (No Treasurer + Enrollment-Based Payments)
19:44 – Texas vs. Other States: Voucher Systems & Oversight
22:14 – Performance Audits and Measuring Bang for the Buck
26:21 – AI for Fraud Detection + Surveillance Citizenry
28:22 – Preventing Fraud Upfront (Income Verification, Parent Empowerment)
30:49 – Healthcare Fraud & Perverse Incentives
33:16 – Price Transparency & State Innovation in Healthcare
36:21 – Where Fraud Is Worst: Federal vs. State Level
37:36 – Wildest Fraud Examples (Social Security "Adult Baby" Case)
40:22 – Current Efforts to Stop Fraud (OMB, DOGE, Chip Roy Bill)
42:10 – The Return of Earmarks: What Changed & Why It Matters
44:00 – $140 Billion Saved by Earmarks Moratorium
47:39 – Best States for Transparency & Reform (Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma)
49:18 – PIA/FOIA Abuse & Outrageous Costs for Public Records
50:39 – Rise of Citizen Journalism (Nick Shirley & Viral Exposés)

In this year-end special, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Brad Johnson, Senior Reporter & Managing Editor at The Texan News, to recap the biggest political stories of 2025 and what they mean heading into the 2026 cycle.

From the unexpected twists in the Texas Senate race, to the fallout of mid-decade redistricting, to the biggest legislative wins and disappointments, this episode covers it all. We also unveil our Politician of the Year and Texan of the Year awards.

3:35 – Hot Take: Jasmine Crockett jumps into the 2026 Senate race
9:10 – DLCC targets the Texas House for 2026
11:43 – Democrats field candidates in every statewide/federal race
13:11 – Why Dems still struggle to build a top-tier slate
16:20 – 2025 Legislative Session recap: Was 2025 the most conservative Texas legislative session ever?
18:38 – Biggest wins of the year: Burrows, bail reform, ESAs, border
23:42 – Biggest disappointments: energy, tariffs, healthcare messaging
31:07 – Biggest story of 2025: Mid-decade redistricting; the THC fight and its ripple effects
35:10 – Under-the-radar wins: DEI enforcement & agency elimination
44:25 – Politician of the Year awards
55:19 – New Year’s resolutions for 2026

Why is buying a home harder than ever in 2025 — even worse than 2007? Sean Dobson, Chairman & CEO of Amherst (one of America’s largest real estate investment firms), joins The Right Idea to break down the real drivers of the housing affordability crisis and what can actually fix it. We dive deep into labor costs, local regulations, property taxes, garages nobody uses, the future of renting vs. owning, immigration’s impact on construction, and why gimmicks like 50-year mortgages or rent control won’t solve anything. If you want to understand why young families can’t buy homes anymore — and what policymakers should actually do — this is the episode. 

01:14 – Hot Take: Why the Epstein file release won’t end the conspiracies
03:06 – Today’s guest: Sean Dobson (CEO of Amherst)
04:12 – What actually goes into the cost of building a house? (2/3 labor!)
05:58 – Modular homes, factory construction, and why it’s still only single-digit savings
09:15 – Can the average person even build their own house today?
10:34 – How local regulations silently drive up costs
11:26 – The $55,000 garage nobody parks in
14:29 – California’s ADU precedent & state vs. city power
17:20 – 2025 affordability worse than 2007? Here’s why
22:11 – Why politicians keep floating 50-year mortgages & subprime 2.0
24:19 – What does “affordable” even mean? (The 1/3 income rule)
26:07 – Texas property taxes: 40%+ of your housing cost?!
30:37 – Renting is not failure: Why the “American Dream” narrative is outdated
33:31 – The real labor crisis in construction (and immigration’s role)
39:53 – Rent control: Why it always backfires
42:26 – Sean’s magic wand fix: Restore credit access & rename the “subprime” crisis

In this episode of The Right Idea, TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen break down how political activism has seeped into Texas healthcare — influencing diagnoses, treatments, and public policy.

They’re joined by Dr. Lisa Ehrlich, internal medicine physician and former TMA trustee, and Joseph Figliolia, Manhattan Institute policy analyst and author of a major report on the TMA’s drift into ideological advocacy.

Together, they examine:
* How the TMA embraced gender-affirming care despite weak evidence
* Why many physicians feel silenced
* How institutional capture happens inside medical organizations
* The impact on children, parents, lawmakers, and the practice of medicine
* What reforms are needed to bring medicine back to evidence-based practice

00:30 – Thanksgiving politics & family discussions
03:40 – Today’s topic: Gender ideology in healthcare
05:18 – Guest introductions: Dr. Ehrlich & Joseph Figliolia
05:42 – Why Joseph investigated the TMA
07:23 – Is the TMA doubling down despite national pushback?
09:07 – Evidence problems & reversals in Europe
10:25 – Dr. Ehrlich: What clinicians saw on the ground
11:38 – Social contagion & the rise of gender questioning
13:12 – Vulnerable populations & patterns emerging
14:58 – Why endocrinology led the shift
16:02 – “Science by consensus” and activist medicine
17:36 – The problem with WPATH & activist guidelines
18:33 – How TMA was captured: institutional mechanics
19:23 – Why doctors stay silent
20:57 – Fear of being labeled discriminatory
22:08 – Dr. Ehrlich: Intimidation inside the TMA
23:56 – Identity sections and cultural politicization
25:05 – Personal attacks vs scientific debate
26:31 – Medicine requiring ideological pre-commitments?
27:55 – Historical parallels (e.g., lobotomies)
28:58 – Pandemic mandates & ethical shifts
31:09 – Three separate issues: dysphoria, treatment, ideology
32:57 – Suicide risk, treatment failures, evidence gaps
34:18 – Is someone funding this movement?
36:01 – TMA’s definitions avoid “gender dysphoria” entirely
37:44 – The financial incentives behind affirming care
38:39 – Do associations influence medical boards?
41:15 – How TMA influences Texas policy
42:07 – Is Texas protecting kids effectively?
43:30 – Evidence-based standards being ignored
44:56 – CME problems: outdated, debunked studies
45:14 – Can the TMA be fixed?
47:34 – Structural governance problems
49:24 – What shoe drops next?
51:07 – The comprehensive HHS gender dysphoria review
51:35 – Dr. Ehrlich’s advice for physicians afraid to speak up

Texas homeowners are furious—83% say property taxes are a major burden! In this deep-dive episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips and TPPF experts James Quintero and Jose Melendez break down why property taxes exploded after 2014, how local governments game appraisals & bonds, and Governor Greg Abbott’s aggressive new plan to finally crush the burden.

From $91 billion in bond elections to Austin’s 121% tax levy growth, we expose the spending sprees, wasteful logos, and “Taj Mahal” stadiums. Learn how voter turnout in May vs. November lets special interests sneak through hikes—and why super-majority votes, appraisal caps, and taxpayer-triggered cuts could change everything.

00:02:05 – Hot Take: 50-Year Mortgages & Christmas Lights Drama
00:06:06 – The Hockey Stick Graph: Taxes Up 400% Since 1998
00:19:10 – Rate Hikes & VATRE Elections
00:24:14 – Poll: Texans Don't Know Who Sets Their Tax Bill
00:29:28 – State vs. Local Blame: Legislature Can Rein In Locals
00:31:09 – Budgets Growing 2x Faster Than Population + Inflation
00:38:32 – AG Paxton Sues Cities for Skipping Audits Before Hikes
00:46:05 – Appraisal Shell Game: Values Up 138%, Rates Down 7% = 121% Levy Boom
00:55:19 – Lightning Round: Abbott’s 6-Point Plan Breakdown
00:55:54 – Require 2/3rds voter approval for tax increases
00:59:07 – Eliminate M&O School Taxes
01:02:11 – Create Appraisal Predictability, Cap Appraisal Growth
01:03:24 – Require Common Sense Local Spending Limits
01:05:44 – Switch to Appraisals Taking Place Only Once Every Five Years
01:08:18 – TAXPAYER TRIGGER: 15% Signatures = Force Tax-Cut Vote
01:12:05 – Can we pass this in ONE Session like School Choice?

REFERENCED: Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government on SB 9

In the 100th episode extravaganza, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen talk to leading conservative voices at the 2025 TFRW Conference in San Antonio.

6:51 Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner
 17:40 Deborah Wall, Camino Real Republican Women President
 49:47 Jim Wright, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman
 1:05:02 Mary Elise Cosgray, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Texan
 1:34:04 Grant Moody, Bexar County Commissioner 
 1:47:21 Congressman Nathaniel Moran
 2:12:52 Misty Spears, San Antonio City Council Member
 2:27:39 Jill Tate, Texas Federation of Republican Women President
 3:00:39 Texas State Senator Pete Flores (SD-24)
 3:21:59 Wrap up

Is more school funding really the key to better student outcomes—or does how we spend matter more than how much?
In this episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips and TPPF’s Andrew Brown sit down with Dr. Eric “Rick” Hanushek, Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, to explore one of education’s toughest questions: Do dollars drive results—or does design and discipline matter more?

Dr. Hanushek is one of the world’s leading experts on the economics of education. His groundbreaking research has shaped how policymakers think about teacher quality, school finance reform, and student achievement.

Together, the panel dives deep into:

• The myth that more spending equals better outcomes
• Texas’ $100B+ public education budget
• What’s working in Dallas, Houston, and Washington, D.C.
• The rise of administrative bloat in public schools
• Teacher pay, accountability, and school choice

• • The impact of AI in the classroom and the future of learning

Hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen dive into the critical issue of indoctrination in K-12 education with special guest Ken Pope, CEO of the Coalition for Empowered Education and Senior Fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. They discuss how Colleges of Education are shaping teachers with ideological agendas, the impact on classrooms, and solutions to restore critical thinking and balanced education. From Marxist influences to grassroots efforts, this conversation uncovers the challenges parents face and how to combat politicized curricula.

00:30 - Brian and Derek catch up: New baby and festival banter
01:27 - Hot Take: Craziest band names at ACL 2025 (Wet Leg, Spacey Jane, Panda Bear, Dr. Dog)
04:00 - Introducing Ken Pope: CEO of Coalition for Empowered Education
06:47 - How Colleges of Education have shifted to ideological indoctrination
08:52 - The long march of critical theory in academia
12:03 - Exposure vs. Indoctrination: What’s the difference?
14:57 - From Marxism to modern victimology: Evolution of classroom ideologies
17:16 - Are teachers trained to be activists?
19:43 - The disconnect between parents and teachers’ goals
21:20 - Indoctrination in rural and urban schools alike
23:35 - What are education students actually learning?
24:27 - Shocking examples from social studies conferences
29:51 - Coalition for Empowered Education’s mission to retrain teachers
33:56 - Legislative and grassroots solutions to reform teacher training
37:46 - Universities doing it right: Hillsdale, UATX, and others
40:56 - Why mandate Colleges of Education? Alternative teacher certification
44:39 - Red flags for parents: How to spot indoctrination in classrooms
49:56 - How to connect with the Coalition for Empowered Education
50:28 - Closing thoughts and Sam Houston’s wisdom
 
Coalition for Empowered Education: https://cee.org

Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation: https://victimsofcommunism.org

TPPF's Derek Cohen and Jose Melendez catch up on the latest from the 89th Legislative Session and subsequent special sessions with Rep. Cole Hefner. They dive into the quorum break that put Texas in the national political spotlight before discussing policy issues like property tax reform, taxpayer-funded lobbying, housing affordability, and safeguarding Texas from foreign adversaries.

00:53 – Hot Take: Jose Melendez on the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon
04:12 – Rep. Cole Hefner: From Citizen to Chairman – His Journey to Public Service
06:19 – Addressing Quorum Breaks: Stiffer Penalties and Legislative Challenges
07:10 – Priorities for the Current Special Session
08:59 – Property Taxes: Balancing State Relief and Local Government Accountability
11:09 – Appraisal Reform: Ensuring Fairness and Predictability
12:40 – Banning Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
15:04 – Housing Affordability: HB 840 and Revitalizing Downtown Texas
17:56 – SB 17: Protecting Texas Land from Hostile Foreign Adversaries
22:50 – TRACE Act and Protecting Texas Schools from Foreign Influence
25:42 – Senate Bill 1362: Banning Red Flag Laws and Upholding Due Process
30:16 – Transportation: Addressing CDL Standards and Interstate Challenges
33:17 – Water Issues in Texas: Balancing Growth and Private Property Rights
36:15 – Looking Ahead: Key Issues for the 90th Legislative Session
41:14 – Survey Says: Addressing Voter Discontent with Government Responsiveness

Hosts Derek Cohen and Andrew Brown talk with Texas State Representative Stan Gerdes (HD-17) about a variety of policy issues addressed in the 89th Legislature. Tune in for the latest on water policy challenges, the future of nuclear energy, local government transparency, and the new smart device ban in schools. Plus, Rep. Gerdes dishes on representing both the Barbecue Capital of the World (Lockhart) and the home of the legendary Snow’s BBQ (Lexington).

1:05 - Hot Take: What Should Be a Crime?

3:09 - Barbecue Talk: Lockhart vs. Snow’s BBQ

5:07 - Rep. Gerdes’ Political Journey with Gov. Rick Perry

10:22 - Water Policy: Challenges and the Vista Ridge Project

13:22 - Nuclear Energy: Texas as the Epicenter

16:02 - HB 119: Banning Foreign Adversary Lobbying

18:17 - HB 1522: Local Government Transparency

25:30 - HB 2017: Grayson's Law (Intoxication Manslaughter Penalties)

30:51 - HB 4086: Stopping Urban Food Waste Dumping

35:02 - Unfinished Business: Local Taxation and Water Issues

38:00 - Post-Interview: More Barbecue and Legislative Updates

39:32 - News: West Texas A&M Drag Ban Discussion

44:14 - News: Cell Phone Ban in Texas Schools

50:28 - News: Travis County Bridge Rebuild Success

52:49 - Survey Says: National Guard in Washington, D.C.