In this episode of The Right Idea, Derek Cohen sits down with Carson Clayton, TPPF Life Powered Campaign Director, to break down the controversial 765 KV transmission lines (Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan / STEP).

Texas lawmakers and activists are sounding the alarm over a $33 billion plan to build massive ultra-high voltage transmission lines across the state — cutting through pristine Hill Country and farmland — instead of addressing the root cause: Texas’ broken energy market that over-subsidizes intermittent wind and solar while under-building reliable dispatchable power.

Featuring powerful clips from Senator Kevin Sparks and Representative Brad Buckley.

Key Topics:

• Why the Permian Basin — one of the most energy-rich regions in the world — needs power imported from Central Texas
• How federal subsidies, ESG pressure, and ERCOT’s energy-only market are distorting investment
• The massive cost to ratepayers and landowners
• What real market reform looks like to prevent blackouts and unnecessary transmission boondoggles

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to the 765 Lines Controversy
• 01:23 - What Are the 765 KV Transmission Lines?
• 02:41 - Senator Kevin Sparks on the Permian Basin Plan
• 04:40 - Why Wind & Solar Boom Created a Reliability Crisis
• 08:37 - Senator Sparks on ERCOT Market Failures & Subsidies
• 09:39 - How the Energy-Only Market Rewards Unreliable Power
• 12:19 - Federal Policy, ESG, and Renewable Credits Driving the Problem
• 15:12 - Rep. Brad Buckley: Pause the Project & Reform the Market
• 17:02 - Proposed Market Reforms (SB 715 & Reliability Standards)
• 20:01 - The Coming Reliability Cliff & Why Transmission Is Just a Band-Aid
• 21:22 - How Much Gas Generation Would Make the 765 Lines Unnecessary?

If you care about Texas energy independence, affordable electricity, property rights, and keeping the lights on, this is a must-watch.

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne joins The Right Idea to discuss some of the biggest issues shaping Texas and America: border security, immigration enforcement, H1B visa fraud, AI-driven energy demand, data centers, and the rise of the creator economy.

Hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen also break down the latest Senate race developments, GOP turnout questions, and why Texas continues to lead the nation in economic growth and energy production.

Congresswoman Van Duyne explains why Texas stepped in during the Biden-era border crisis, discusses the fight over SB 4 and state sovereignty, details allegations of H1B visa fraud in North Texas, and shares why she launched the Congressional Creators Caucus to support digital creators, podcasters, YouTubers, and independent media entrepreneurs.

01:11 - Hot Take: Texas Primary Election turnout
03:35 – Introducing Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne
04:30 – SB 4, border security & states’ rights
08:48 – Immigration enforcement under Trump vs. Biden
12:05 – How Congress can codify border security reforms
15:00 – Investigating alleged H1B visa fraud in North Texas
17:20 – Texas energy dominance & economic growth
18:15 – AI, data centers & ERCOT’s energy strategy
21:50 – The Congressional Creators Caucus explained
24:15 – AI content theft & protecting creators
26:00 – The future of independent media & influencers

Texas is taking a bold stand against excessive regulations. In this episode of The Right Idea, Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Jerome Greener, Director of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), to discuss the state’s aggressive new push to cut red tape and boost economic freedom.

The team breaks down TREO’s first major findings — nearly $120 million in potential savings from just the initial review of 11 agencies — and how they’re using AI to make government work better for Texans. From licensing reforms for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs to modernizing outdated rules, this is one of the most ambitious regulatory reform efforts in the country.

Plus: The growing focus on government fraud and waste, why Texas needs this office despite its pro-business reputation, and how everyday Texans can help shape the next round of cuts.

01:08 – Hot Take: Government Fraud & Waste in 2026
04:16 – Guest Introduction: Jerome Greener, Director of Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO)
06:22 – $123 Million in Potential Savings Explained
07:53 – Why Texas Still Needs Major Regulatory Reform
08:49 – How TREO Differs from the Sunset Process
09:59 – The Massive Texas Administrative Code: 20 Million Words & 274K Restrictions
10:23 – What Makes a Regulation Too Burdensome?
11:30 – TREO’s Review Process & Multi-Layer Accuracy Checks
13:04 – How the Public Can Submit Regulations for Review
14:17 – How Texas Compares to Virginia & Florida
15:55 – Meet “Sam” — Texas’ Powerful AI Regulatory Chatbot
17:59 – A One-Stop Tool for Licensing & Rules
20:00 – Transparency, Agency Follow-Through & Future Savings
21:39 – Long-Term Vision: Billions in Savings & Millions of Words Cut
23:22 – Creating Government to Cut Government? Addressing Conservative Concerns
25:02 – Working with the Texas Legislature on Statutory Changes
26:47 – Real Examples of Regulatory Modernization
29:26 – Future Plans: Taking on Local Government Regulations?
30:40 – Balancing Safety, Freedom & Prosperity
31:55 – How Texans Can Engage with TREO

TPPF's Derek Cohen talks with Chance Weldon, Director of Litigation at the Center for American Future, to break down a new lawsuit challenging the federal machine gun ban.

Second Amendment aside, does Congress even have the constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause to ban machine gun possession? Find out how a win could reshape federal regulation far beyond firearms.

1:09 – Overview of the Fifth Circuit case & Judge Willett's unique concurrence
1:52 – National Firearms Act (NFA) structure: bans, taxes, registration
2:22 – Why this challenge is Article I / Commerce Clause (not Second Amendment)
4:41 – What the Commerce Clause actually allows (channels, instrumentalities, substantial effects)
5:58 – Post-New Deal expansion & pushback: Lopez (1995), Morrison, Raich
7:42 – Substantial effects test & aggregation (Wickard wheat example)
10:05 – Would Texas residents suddenly buy machine guns? State vs. federal power
12:16 – Government's strongest counterarguments & old Fifth Circuit precedent
14:23 – Why this Supreme Court might limit Commerce Clause overreach (Thomas, Gorsuch, Alito, Roberts)
17:19 – Broader implications: eviction moratorium, OSHA vaccine mandate, corporate reporting
18:51 – Why non-gun owners should care: unlimited federal power threatens liberty & federalism

In this episode of The Right Idea, Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Sarah Steeby, Executive Director of the Neapolitan Institute, to unpack the massive Democratic primary turnout surge in Texas (first time in 24 years Democrats outvoted Republicans — ~2.3M vs ~2.16M votes), the hype around James Talarico's Senate bid, Republican challenges uniting the base, and whether Texas is really "turning blue" in 2026.

Sarah shares unbiased polling insights on the economy, immigration, Hispanic voters, transgender issues in sports/bathrooms (77% Texas opposition), the 10-10-80 voter split, and why fundamentals — not vibes — win elections. We also cover open statewide seats, school choice, border security, moms/young families as a key demographic, and national trends like Iran and the economy heading into November.

Is the Democratic enthusiasm real, or will Republican turnout rebound in the general? Don't miss this data-driven breakdown of Texas politics in 2026!

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome
• 01:13 – Hot Take: March Madness VERY Early Previews
• 05:27 – Sarah Steeby joins: Neapolitan Institute polling trends & Is Texas turning blue?
• 06:05 – Fundamentals that matter: Economy, immigration, cultural issues
• 07:40 – Democrat exuberance vs. Republican apathy — independent factors?
• 09:01 – Trump base energy, traditional GOP voters, and party unity challenge
• 10:24 – James Talarico effect: Charm vs. policy reality
• 12:32 – Early polling traps & why November changes everything
• 14:54 – California transplants, misunderstood Hispanic voters & strong borders
• 18:02 – Empowering parents: "Who decides?" messaging for Hispanics & beyond
• 20:45 – Top issues for open seats: Economy, personal finances, national security
• 23:30 – Moms of young families as a rising force in Texas politics
• 25:51 – Reaching the 80% in the middle: Common-sense, respectful solutions
• 30:22 – True moderates in politics — can anyone crack the code?
• 34:10 – Why common sense doesn't raise money + media/data misalignment
• 36:04 – Open statewide races, Democrat legislative records exposed
• 44:46 – Prospects for substantive policy debates in 2026
• 46:22 – National outlook: Economy, Iran, and midterm risks for Republicans

Subscribe for more unfiltered Texas policy, politics, and people discussions from the Texas Public Policy Foundation!

Just in time for National Marriage Week and Valentine's Day, TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen dive into the evolving landscape of marriage and family in America. Family policy experts Hannah Bruck and Noah Torres join to discuss declining marriage rates, fertility trends, cultural shifts like dating apps and "hetero fatalism," and pro-family policies to encourage family formation. This episode explores why fewer Americans are tying the knot and what policymakers can do about it.

01:10 - Hot Take: Worst Valentine's Day Gifts
04:20 - Guests Introduction: Hannah Bruck and Noah Torres
04:48 - Causes of Delayed Marriages: Technology, Dating Apps, and Economic Pressures
06:35 - What Young People Are Waiting For: Unrealistic Standards and Soulmate Myths
08:41 - Pro-Family Policy Philosophy: Family as the Core Unit of Society
14:10 - Cultural Communication: Convincing Young People Marriage Leads to Happiness
15:22 - Combating Social Media Echo Chambers and Influencer Lifestyles
17:07 - Who Are the Best Messengers? Celebrities, Pop Culture, and Community Leaders
18:56 - Role of Communities, Churches, and Friend Groups in Promoting Marriage
20:41 - The Success Sequence: Education, Job, Marriage – Path to Flourishing
21:44 - Pushback on Teaching Success Sequence in Schools
23:52 - Hetero Fatalism Explained: Why Boyfriends Are "Out" and Relationships Seen as Doomed
33:04 - Pushing Back: Policy and Culture to Restore Commitment
37:19 - Concern: Not Enough "Marriageable" People Due to Changing Expectations
39:10 - High-Connection Couples: Key to Satisfaction and Happiness
40:44 - Dating Apps: Still Destroying Relationships?
42:03 - Hurdles to Having Kids: Costs, Housing, and Cultural Parenting Pressures
44:50 - Politics and Marriage: Polarization, Tribalism, and Government Incentives
47:44 - Dating Across Political Lines: Focus on Love Over Ideology
49:45 - Conservatives and Pro-Family Government Policies: Tax Credits and More
52:10 - Marriage Tips and Communication Advice
53:57 - Future of Family Success Project: Parental Rights, TANF Reform, AI in Families

In this special emergency edition of The Right Idea, TPPF's Brian Phillips, Robert Henneke, and Mandy Drogin react to the recent wave of student walkouts protesting immigration enforcement.

Hundreds of students — including middle schoolers — left campuses during school hours, with some districts allegedly facilitating or failing to stop the disruptions. Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched investigations, threatened funding cuts, and warned of educator accountability for enabling these actions.

0:00 – Intro: Massive Texas student walkouts protesting ICE
1:00 – Gov. Abbott, TEA & AG response: Funding threats & investigations
2:12 – Rob Henneke: First Amendment rights vs. school discipline rules
4:55 – Why schools MUST enforce rules — no "protest exception"
6:49 – Mandy Drogin: As a parent — terrified & furious at the dangers
7:52 – Indoctrination in schools: Low civics scores & Marxist influences
10:52 – What school leaders SHOULD do: Enforce consequences immediately
13:11 – Kids unsupervised downtown — safety failures exposed
16:47 – Abuse of power by administrators facilitating walkouts
19:40 – Investigations: Holding teachers & districts accountable
22:39 – Where is the line between neutrality & active support?
26:09 – Planned in advance — prior warnings ignored
31:02 – Consequences needed: Funding cuts & license revocations
34:49 – Parents: File complaints with TEA Inspector General
37:33 – Fight back: 90th Legislative Session & parent empowerment
39:21 – School choice explosion — alternative to failing districts
42:40 – It's not too late for parents to act & protect kids
47:16 – Rob's closing: Join the parent army to retake education

TPPF Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips and Chief Policy & Research Officer Derek Cohen sit down with veteran college sports expert Michael Calabrese (New York Post, Action Network) to unpack the unprecedented mess in college athletics in 2026.

NIL deals are unraveling, schools are suing players to enforce multi-year contracts (see the explosive Darian Mensah-Duke-Miami saga), the House v. NCAA revenue-sharing model is straining budgets, most athletic departments are losing millions, and non-revenue/Olympic/women's sports face extinction. Is a super league or private equity takeover inevitable? Can pooling media rights or federal legislation (SCORE Act update) save the uniquely American institution of college sports?

0:00 – Cold Texas weather & snow day hot takes
3:16 – The crisis in college sports — NIL, revenue sharing, broke departments
5:35 – Guest intro: Michael Calabrese (NY Post, Action Network)
6:49 – What NIL actually is (and isn’t) — collectives, third-party money, no direct pay-for-play
8:59 – Darien Mensah-Duke-Miami case: multi-year NIL contracts, lawsuits, buyouts & precedent
14:00 – Can schools legally force players to stay? Contract loopholes exposed
18:00 – Fixing the transfer portal: residency rules, one free transfer, coach exit triggers?
24:07 – The $20–40M roster cost myth — boosters & collectives foot the bill
29:14 – Revenue sharing disaster: $20.5M cap too low, Title IX risks, foreign investment dangers
32:58 – Minor league / farm system comparison — short timelines kill loyalty
35:23 – Solution: New governing body + antitrust exemption + pooled media rights
47:11 – TV networks love the current discount — billions left on the table
51:41 – Gambling revenue, Saudi money, moral hazards if no fix
53:24 – Dystopia if nothing changes: organ donor programs, lost Olympic pipeline, middle-class mobility hit
59:04 – Federal legislation: SCORE Act status, executive orders, path forward