Texas Talks

Brad Swail sits down with Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and Marilyn Panetta (Texas 2036 Director of Education & Workforce Policy) for a forward-looking conversation on the future of Texas public education. They discuss post-COVID recovery (literacy at all-time highs, math still climbing), the game-changing Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) shifting to performance-based pay and creating more six-figure teacher salaries, the role of timeless classics vs. accelerating technology (robots, AI, tablets), parental guidance on AI/ChatGPT risks, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) growth and school choice diversity, A-F accountability rigor increases, why leadership matters more than funding alone, extended learning time incentives, and the key metrics Texas 2036 is tracking—on-grade reading/math proficiency and career readiness—for Texas to thrive by its 2036 bicentennial. Perfect for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone tracking Texas schools. Visit texas2036.org for progress tracking. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for the Future of Texas series.

00:00:08 - Welcome & Series Intro: Future of Texas Education

00:00:33 - Guest Introductions: Commissioner Mike Morath & Marilyn Panetta

00:01:07 - Why They're Optimistic About Texas Education's Future

00:03:01 - Where Texas Stands Today: Post-COVID Literacy & Math Recovery

00:05:03 - Biggest Reform to Celebrate: Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)

00:06:31 - How TIA Works: Merit Pay, Six-Figure Salaries & Projected Growth

00:08:45 - Education in 2036: Technology Acceleration & Enduring Fundamentals

00:09:50 - Robots, AI & the Chinese Boomi Example

00:11:14 - Why Classics & Timeless Wisdom Still Matter Most

00:13:51 - Smart Use of Tech Tools vs. Replacing Good Teaching

00:15:46 - Math & Science as Immutable Foundations

00:17:56 - AI/ChatGPT in Schools: Opportunities & Parental Risks

00:20:13 - Controlled Tech Access & Building Discernment

00:23:10 - Intentionality: Avoiding "Shiny" Tech Distractions

00:25:06 - Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): Early Demand & Future Growth

00:27:02 - School Choice, Competition & Diversity of Options

00:29:33 - Accountability: A-F Ratings, Rigor Increases & Interventions

00:33:22 - Funding vs. Leadership: Why Management Choices Matter More

00:36:12 - Extended Learning Time Incentives & Global Comparisons

00:38:19 - Texas 2036 Tracking: On-Grade Reading/Math & Career Readiness

00:39:12 - Recruiting, Supporting & Retaining Great Teachers by 2036

00:41:21 - Closing Thoughts & Call to Action: texas2036.org

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

After the 2026 primaries delivered a fresh wave of “new blood” in the Legislature, will property taxes finally get crushed… or will the same old insider games continue?

In this hard-hitting episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Jeramy Kitchen, President of Texas Policy Research and the driving force behind the brand-new Texas Liberty Compact. Jeramy breaks down exactly what the primary results mean for the 90th Legislature, why compression beats gimmick exemptions, how to finally kill taxpayer-funded lobbying, and the 10 structural reforms that could reshape Texas for a generation.

If you’re tired of skyrocketing property taxes, backroom deals, and government bloat — this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

What you’ll learn: • Why “new blood” in Austin is both exciting and risky • The REAL difference between homestead exemptions and true compression • How the Texas Liberty Compact turns voter frustration into lasting reform • The next big fights: data centers, regulatory overreach, and budget transparency.

00:00 — Welcome and Jeramy Kitchen introduction

02:25 — 2026 primary results: mixed bag or game changer?

05:06 — Why “new blood” in the legislature matters

06:58 — Property tax reform and what could happen in 2027

08:44 — Compression explained and why it’s the most equitable fix

17:01 — The Texas Liberty Compact and its 10 policy planks

19:01 — Ending taxpayer-funded lobbying

22:48 — Limiting local spending and debt and stronger voter approval

28:34 — Making government transparent and understanding the budget

37:55 — Big policy fights ahead: data centers and regulation

41:07 — Closing thoughts and how Texans can get involved

If you want honest, no-spin analysis of what’s coming to Austin next year, hit PLAY, smash that LIKE, and drop a comment: “What’s YOUR #1 issue for the 90th Legislature?”

Subscribe for more unfiltered Texas policy deep-dives every week! 

Visit Texas Policy Research: https://www.texaspolicyresearch.com

Read the full Texas Liberty Compact: https://texaslibertycompact.com

Follow Jeramy: https://x.com/JeramyKitchen

Turn on notifications — the 90th Legislature is coming fast, and this episode gives you the inside track!

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

Future of Texas is a special limited series from Texas Talks exploring the ideas, leaders, and innovations shaping the state’s next century. 

As Texas approaches its bicentennial in 2036, this series brings together some of the state’s most influential thinkers—from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to policy experts and public leaders—to discuss the opportunities and challenges that will define Texas for generations to come. 

Each episode features in-depth conversations with guests who are actively shaping the state’s economic, technological, and policy landscape. In the first episode, host Brad Swail sits down with Joe Lonsdale, venture capitalist, founder of the Cicero Institute, and co-founder of Palantir Technologies, alongside John Hryhorchuk, Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy at Texas 2036. Together they explore Texas’s emerging role as a national hub for innovation and what must be done to sustain that momentum—from infrastructure and workforce development to AI, energy, and economic growth. 

Throughout the series, Future of Texas highlights the people and ideas working to ensure that Texas remains a leader in opportunity, entrepreneurship, and prosperity well into the next century. 

Learn more and sign up for the newsletter: 

https://Texas2036.org

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

Is the “Texas Miracle” still alive — and what does it take to keep Texas competitive in 2026 and beyond?

In this episode of Texas Talks, Megan Mauro, Interim President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business (TAB), joins Brad Swail to break down the state of the Texas economy. As the state chamber of commerce representing businesses of every size and industry, TAB sits at the center of Texas’ pro-growth policy debates.

Mauro explains how Texas maintains its reputation as a top business destination — from no personal or corporate income tax to regulatory consistency and recent property tax relief for small businesses. She discusses HB 9’s business personal property tax exemption increase, why consistency across Texas’ 254 counties matters, and how the Legislature is approaching affordability and housing challenges.

The conversation also dives into:

Why Texas is the 7th largest economy in the world

Attracting corporate headquarters while protecting small businesses

The importance of USMCA for Texas trade

Workforce alignment between industry and education

Childcare as a workforce issue

Why data centers and AI are both economic and national security priorities

Texas’ “all of the above and below” energy strategy

Mauro makes the case that a thriving business climate isn’t just about corporations — it’s about livelihoods, job creation, and ensuring Texas families can continue building the American dream.

As the 90th Texas Legislature approaches, this episode explores what policies will shape the next chapter of the Texas economy.

 

00:00 — Introduction and Megan Mauro’s background

01:12 — What the Texas Association of Business does

03:13 — Light regulation and pro-business principles

04:35 — The Texas Miracle and economic growth

06:29 — Why industry diversity matters in Texas

10:01 — Data centers, AI, and national security

14:53 — Tech policy and regulatory consistency

18:47 — Balancing legacy industries with innovation

21:01 — Property tax reform and small business relief

27:10 — Affordability and housing challenges

29:21 — Energy policy and grid reliability

30:59 — Advocacy in Washington and USMCA

34:45 — Workforce development and childcare solutions

38:37 — TAB Foundation and education initiatives

 

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

In this episode, Kelly Hancock, Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, breaks down what the Comptroller’s office actually does—and what the latest numbers say about the Texas economy. Hancock discusses revenue estimating, procurement, contracts, and why sales tax trends matter so much to the state budget. He also explains how Texas is tracking key indicators like manufacturing, construction, and the impact of major projects such as data centers, plus how the state is making more economic data accessible to the public through Texas Comptroller “TexStats.”

The conversation also covers the rollout of Texas Education Freedom Accounts (education savings accounts)—including registration numbers, program priorities, and the office’s focus on customer-service speed and transparency. Finally, Hancock addresses procurement policy changes tied to DEI-era frameworks, what “leveling the playing field” means in practice, and why he wants stronger auditing authority to protect taxpayer dollars.

 

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks