The Right Idea

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen unpack the heated Texas special session, covering the ongoing redistricting battle, the Texas Women's Privacy Act (SB 7), and critical flood response efforts in the Hill Country. From quorum breaks to property tax reforms and the push to replace the STAAR test, we explore the policies and politics shaping Texas.

1:37 - Hot Take: Presidential Privileges & Trump’s FIFA Moment
4:45 - Redistricting Debate: Is It Unconstitutional?
18:15 - Texas Women’s Privacy Act (Bathroom Bill) Update
22:45 - Flood Emergency Response Proposals
32:08 - Eliminating the STAAR Test: What’s Next?
35:52 - Property Tax Relief with SB 9
42:09 - Harris Poll: Kids, Smartphones, and Unsupervised Play
50:07 - Potential Dallas Death Star Bill Lawsuit
53:14 - What to Watch

In this episode of The Right Idea, co-hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Jill Tate, Vice President of Legislation for the Texas Federation of Republican Women and a powerhouse conservative activist. Jill shares her journey from a young Reagan supporter to a key player in Texas politics, diving into critical issues like school choice, property taxes, energy policy, and the fight against taxpayer-funded lobbying. They also discuss the resilience of Texas culture, the upcoming special session, and what’s next for the 90th Legislature.

05:13 - Jill Tate’s background as a Texas super activist and precinct chair

06:02 - How Jill got involved in conservative activism and politics

10:02 - Evolution of Texas politics and the shift to a conservative stronghold

14:39 - Texas cultural resilience and the significance of the Alamo

21:03 - Recap of the 89th Legislature: Successes in school choice, energy, and AI

23:31 - Jill’s personal story on school choice and its impact on her son

30:03 - Energy policy: Nuclear power and securing Texas’ grid

33:59 - SB 1283: Protecting seniors in retirement communities

37:24 - Special session priorities: Women’s Privacy Act and ending STAAR testing

42:30 - Looking ahead to the 90th Legislature: Energy and emerging issues

45:11 - Water issues in Texas: Balancing rural and urban needs

46:40 - Gambling in Texas: Concerns about social and economic impacts

49:33 - Reforming Texas’ committee process for better legislative hearings

1:05:11 - The fight to end taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas

In this episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by EJ Antoni, Chief Economist at the Heritage Foundation. They analyze the Trump economy six months into his presidency—covering job growth, tariffs, and housing challenges. Plus, the devastating Texas floods, the upcoming special legislative session, and the potential impact of AI on jobs.

0:27 - Update on Texas' Flood Tragedy
3:16 - Special Session Preview
7:04 - EJ Antoni on the Trump Economy
10:31 - Tariff Policy Concerns
13:40 - June Jobs Report Breakdown
16:01 - Public Perception vs. Economic Data
19:12 - AI’s Future Impact on Jobs
33:53 - Housing Crisis in Texas
40:10 - DOGE: Government Efficiency Push
44:18 - 10 Minute Drill: Survey Says, Jobs Stats, & Special Session Watch

In this explosive episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by Chuck DeVore to dive into the biggest issues shaping Texas and beyond. From President Trump’s bold strike on Iran’s nuclear program to the unexpected Texas special session, we unpack the politics, policy, and people driving the headlines. Plus, we explore Texas’ unmatched job growth and what it means for the state’s future. Don’t miss our hot takes on iconic presidential quotes and the latest on Israel-Iran tensions!

0:00 Intro to Guest Chuck DeVore
4:15 Hot Take: Trump’s F-Bomb heard round the world. What is your favorite war related quote from a president?
9:20 Iran vs. Israel - Where are we as of today?
14:08 Operation Midnight Hammer - How’d we pull it off?
25:23 Is there a MAGA divide?
32:34 Appetite for regime change?
38:03 Does all this expose any weak spots in the US?
48:21 Survey Says: Majority of voters approve of Trump’s maneuvers
53:42 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Tariff hysteria just ain’t there

In this explosive episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Latin America expert Joshua Treviño to unpack the shocking Los Angeles riots, the role of Mexican cartels, and the escalating border security crisis. From ICE raids targeting cartel fronts to Mexican flags waving in U.S. streets, we dive into the hidden connections between the Mexican government, cartels, and U.S. protests. Treviño reveals stunning insights about Mexico’s political operatives in the U.S., the failure of U.S.-Mexico relations, and what Texas can do to protect its borders.

0:00 Intro & Guest Joshua Treviño
4:00 What’s going on in LA, Austin and across the country?
7:35 Today’s civil unrest - Who started it?
9:25. What’s a protest anymore? 
13:50 What’s being protested & rioted against?
23:20 What is Mexico’s role in it all?
29:24 Does Mexico think they still own parts of the U.S.?
38:58 Latest polls show Americans prefer order over chaos
45:26 What tools do the U.S. & Texas have?

Join Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen on The Right Idea as they dive into the 89th Texas Legislative Session with Brad Johnson, senior reporter at The Texan. From the unexpected "Kumbaya" harmony among Texas leaders to major conservative victories like bail reform, water funding, and education transparency, this episode breaks down the session’s biggest wins, under-the-radar bills, and what’s next for Texas politics. Will there be a special session? What interim issues are on the horizon? Plus, a fun take on celebrity divorces! 

0:00 - Intro & Guest Brad Johnson
1:15 - Hot Take: Craziest Celebrity Divorces
4:12 - Overall narratives of the 89th Texas Legislative Session
15:40 - Most Consequential Bills (Water Deal, Bail Reform, SB 12)
24:50 - Under-the-Radar Legislation (Higher Ed Reform, Semiconductor Protection)
40:03 - What Didn’t Pass? Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban & More
48:15 - The “S” Word Rumors & Interim Priorities

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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 education
• 📚 New rules for school libraries: cracking down on sexually explicit content
• 📜 Governor Abbott’s bill signing to stop illegal voting in Texas
• 🏡 The fight for housing affordability and zoning reform
• ⚖️ The latest on criminal justice and bail reform bills
• 🕒 The push to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time in Texas
• 🔥 Hot takes on barbecue, Pope merch, and Portillo’s (yes, really)

🎙️ Plus: A preview of next week's full session recap and a fun segment on Texas A&M baseball history you won't want to miss.

📩 Subscribe to “The Post” newsletter for exclusive content: texaspolicy.com/thepost

2:35 Hot Take - What’s your favorite “Pope merch”?
6:45 DEI out of K-12 Texas Education
10:38 Texas cracks down on sexually explicit content in kids’ sections of public libraries
19:30 Election Integrity - new law stops illegal voting in Texas
28:28 Housing Affordability
35:20 Death Star 2.0
37:50 Bail Reform
43:00 Texas Time!
45:02 Survey Says!
51:25 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics
52:38 What’re you watching? 

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 legislative push to protect the next generation, and why tech giants like Elon Musk are flocking to the Lone Star State.

2:00 Hot Take - What’s the strangest scandal in American political history?
8:20 Texas Tech Policy - Is there a reason Texas has taken the lead?
12:30 The aggressive push to limit children’s access to social media
37:28 Smart phones in Texas classrooms
49:15 2025 - The Year of the Parent!
54:23 A.I. - hero or villain?

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 the Texas House tonight 
35:58 Bye-Bye Texas STAAR Test!
39:56 Senate Bill 2972 reins in college campus protests
41:17 Bail Reform in Texas
43:23 Taxpayer Funded Lobbying
47:22 What’re you watching?

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 curriculum and faculty believing they run our universities 
24:33 Jordan Peterson’s view that American universities are “gone”
33:43 President Trump vs. Harvard University
40:01 Maine legislator barred from speaking on the floor and casting votes over social media post
45:05 Survey Says: 72% say the increased focus on race and racial inequality after George Floyd’s death did not lead to change 
51:20 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Only 8% of registered voters participated in Texas' May 3 elections
58:04 What to Watch For