Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

Taking on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying with Sen. Adam Hinojosa | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

On this episode of Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin, filmed live at Texas Policy Summit 2026, Mandy sits down with Texas Senator Adam Hinojosa to discuss one of the biggest government reform battles in Texas: ending taxpayer-funded lobbying. Sen. Hinojosa explains how taxpayer-funded lobbyists use millions of taxpayer dollars to lobby against reforms like: Property tax relief School choice Protecting girls’ sports Keeping boys out of girls’ bathrooms Education reform and accountability Transparency in government spending The conversation exposes how organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Texas Municipal League (TML), and Texas Association of Counties (TAC) influence legislation while using public money to oppose the will of Texas taxpayers. Mandy and Sen. Hinojosa also break down the exploding local government debt crisis, skyrocketing school bond spending, and how taxpayers are being forced to fund lobbying efforts against their own interests. Sen. Hinojosa shares why banning taxpayer-funded lobbying is critical to restoring accountability, protecting families, lowering property taxes, and defending Texas values. If you care about government transparency, education reform, property tax relief, and stopping government waste, this is a must-watch conversation. 👉 Subscribe for more interviews from Texas Policy Summit 2026 and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. #TexasPolitics #AdamHinojosa #TaxpayerFundedLobbying #PropertyTaxes #SchoolChoice #TexasLegislature #MandyDrogin #TexasPolicySummit #GovernmentReform #EducationReform #ConservativePolicy #TPPF

Bonds, Property Taxes & Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying | Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin

On this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin is joined by James Quintero, Policy Director for the Taxpayer Protection Project, and Jose Melendez, Campaign Director for the Government Reform & Oversight Coalition, to break down how rising property taxes and massive school bond elections are impacting Texas families. The team discusses the growing influence of taxpayer-funded lobbyists, the “education cartel,” and how controversial bond packages — including Dallas ISD’s record-breaking $6.2 billion bond election — could make Texans’ bank accounts even smaller. Learn how Texas school bonds work, why property taxes continue to rise, and what these elections mean for homeowners, parents, and taxpayers across the state. 🔹 Topics Covered: Texas property taxes Dallas ISD $6.2 billion bond election School bond elections in Texas Taxpayer-funded lobbying Government accountability and oversight Education spending and taxpayer impact Texas education policy Local government debt and bonds 📌 Subscribe for more conversations on education freedom, parental rights, government accountability, and Texas policy.

The Truth on Qatar's Radical Islamist Networks w/ Jordan Cope

In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Jordan Cope, StandWithUs Director of Policy Education and expert on Qatar’s radical Islamist networks, to expose how Qatar is infiltrating Texas through soft power tactics, funding of our higher education and institutions, and direct support of designated terrorist group Hamas.

Restoring the Purpose of Higher Education w/ Justin Dyer

How do we restore civic education in higher education? In this episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Justin Dyer, Dean of the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin, to explore the growing movement to restore classical education and civic understanding in higher education. Dyer shares why many universities have drifted from their original mission and what it will take to course correct. From the rise of classical education in Texas to the urgent need for better teacher training, this conversation examines how colleges can equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain a free society.

Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists and The Education Cartel

On this explosive episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Judge Shepard and Ben Crockett from the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Government Reform & Oversight Coalition to expose the powerful role of taxpayer-funded lobbyists in the Texas Legislature. Discover how organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) use taxpayer dollars to influence lawmakers and block meaningful education and government reform in Texas. This eye-opening conversation breaks down the hidden lobbying system operating behind the scenes and what it means for parents and taxpayers. They also dive into two groundbreaking new research reports from TPPF, revealing: How much taxpayer money is being funneled into lobbyists’ pockets How school bond debt is being manipulated and used against Texas taxpayers The growing financial burden on families across the state If you care about education reform, government transparency, and protecting taxpayer dollars in Texas, this is a must-watch.