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.