Texas Talks

Rural Attorney Shortages, Elder Fraud, and a Texas Statewide Prosecutor w/Rep. Mitch Little

How should Texas address rising property taxes, growing concerns about public safety, and the challenges facing the state's criminal justice system? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Mitch Little, who represents Texas House District 65 in southern Denton County, for a wide-ranging discussion on criminal justice policy, government regulation, property tax reform, and the priorities shaping the next legislative session. Little, an attorney and member of the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, shares insights from recent interim hearings and discusses how lawmakers are evaluating issues ranging from rural attorney shortages and elder fraud to prosecutorial accountability and public safety. The conversation covers: • Rural attorney shortages and the concept of “legal deserts” • Law school debt, workforce incentives, and market-based solutions • Elder fraud and cryptocurrency kiosk scams targeting seniors • Regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrency transactions • Public safety and criminal justice reform priorities • Rogue district attorneys and prosecutorial accountability • Governor Abbott’s proposal for a statewide prosecutor • Judicial discretion, bail policy, and repeat offenders • Property tax reform and school finance • Government spending and affordability concerns • Priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature Little also explains why he believes many public policy debates should focus on underlying market realities rather than government subsidies, particularly when addressing workforce shortages in rural communities. The discussion explores broader concerns about law enforcement, prosecutorial discretion, judicial accountability, and the balance between local control and state oversight in Texas’ criminal justice system. Looking ahead, Little identifies property tax relief as one of the most significant issues facing Texas families and outlines his perspective on how lawmakers can reduce the burden on homeowners while maintaining essential public services. 00:00 — Intro + Meet Rep. Mitch Little 01:50 — Representing Texas House District 65 03:00 — What interim hearings accomplish 06:00 — Rural attorney shortages and legal deserts 08:39 — Law school debt and workforce incentives 12:15 — Are rural legal shortages really a crisis? 14:01 — Comparing attorney and physician shortages 19:20 — Market solutions versus government subsidies 20:24 — Elder fraud and cryptocurrency scams 23:07 — Why crypto kiosks are being scrutinized 25:33 — Should Texas regulate or ban crypto kiosks? 29:13 — Rogue district attorneys and lawlessness concerns 32:42 — Governor Abbott’s statewide prosecutor proposal 34:02 — Elections, appointments, and accountability 37:42 — Property taxes and legislative priorities 39:26 — How Texas could fund property tax relief 41:00 — Final thoughts and where to follow Mitch Little Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

Uvalde, School Safety & Texas Law Enforcement w/Rep. Don McLaughlin

What lessons did Texas learn from the tragedy in Uvalde—and how are lawmakers working to prevent a similar failure from happening again? On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with State Representative Don McLaughlin, who represents Texas House District 80 and previously served as mayor of Uvalde during one of the most difficult periods in the city’s history. McLaughlin discusses House Bill 33, the Uvalde Strong Act, which was passed unanimously during his first legislative session and is designed to improve coordination, training, leadership, and preparedness among law enforcement agencies responding to active shooter situations. The conversation covers: • The lessons learned from the Robb Elementary School tragedy • House Bill 33 and active shooter preparedness reforms • Law enforcement recruitment and retention challenges • Mental health support for first responders • Rogue district attorneys and accountability proposals • Border security and immigration enforcement concerns • The New World screwworm threat and Texas agriculture • Property taxes, water policy, and education reform priorities • Key issues facing the 90th Texas Legislature The discussion also explores broader challenges facing Texas law enforcement, including officer shortages, training standards, public support for policing, and ways to improve recruitment while maintaining professional standards. Looking ahead, McLaughlin shares his perspective on the major issues likely to dominate the next legislative session, including property tax relief, water infrastructure, border security, and public education. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the importance of practical solutions, local experience, and ensuring Texas communities have the resources needed to remain safe and prosperous. 00:00 — Intro + Rep. Don McLaughlin joins 01:00 — From businessman to Uvalde mayor 03:11 — House Bill 33 and the Uvalde Strong Act 05:31 — What went wrong during the Robb Elementary response 08:11 — Early implementation of HB 33 10:16 — Mental health support for first responders 11:52 — Updates from recent public safety hearings 13:37 — Measuring success for school safety reforms 14:10 — Law enforcement recruitment and retention challenges 21:19 — Rogue district attorneys and accountability 23:10 — State prosecutor proposal discussion 24:25 — Police hiring standards and recruitment 25:57 — Childcare, support systems, and officer retention 27:45 — Border security and immigration concerns 30:40 — The New World screwworm threat 33:21 — Property taxes, water, and education priorities 35:15 — Looking ahead to the 90th Legislature 35:53 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

The Future of Economic Prosperity

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how education, workforce development, and economic opportunity intersect to shape Texas’ future prosperity. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. Host Brad Swail is joined by Dr. Wynn Rosser, Commissioner of Higher Education and Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and John Hryhorchuk, Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Texas 2036, for a discussion on how Texas can prepare more students for meaningful careers while sustaining one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The conversation examines the state's evolving approach to education and workforce development, including dual-credit programs, credentials of value, outcomes-based funding, affordability, and strategies for connecting students with high-demand careers. Major topics include: * Texas’ position as the world’s eighth-largest economy * The importance of credentials of value and workforce alignment * Expanding dual-credit opportunities in high school * Community college reform and House Bill 8 * Outcomes-based funding for higher education * Career and technical education pathways * Workforce shortages in healthcare, construction, and skilled trades * College affordability and manageable student debt * My Texas Future and career planning resources * Data-driven policymaking and economic development * Preparing Texas’ workforce for the industries of the future * The path toward Texas’ 2036 goals The discussion highlights how decades of education reforms have expanded access to postsecondary opportunities and why policymakers are increasingly focused not only on college completion, but on ensuring students earn credentials that lead to strong labor market outcomes. Rosser and Hryhorchuk also discuss the role of economic development, community colleges, universities, workforce training programs, and career education in preparing Texans for emerging industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and healthcare to semiconductors, aerospace, and energy. Looking toward 2036, both guests argue that Texas’ continued success will depend on aligning education systems, workforce needs, and economic opportunities so that every Texan has a pathway to prosperity. 00:00 — Intro + The Future of Economic Prosperity 01:17 — Meet Wynn Rosser and John Hryhorchuk 03:53 — Why Texas’ future is still being written 05:01 — The opportunity gap and workforce challenges 06:43 — Why the education pipeline starts earlier 09:09 — Dual-credit success stories in Texas 12:02 — Can every student graduate with college credit? 15:45 — Credentials of value and workforce readiness 17:21 — Innovative education partnerships across Texas 19:10 — Beyond the traditional four-year degree 23:01 — Changing perceptions about career pathways 24:49 — Lifelong learning and workforce adaptability 26:22 — High-demand careers and earning potential 29:16 — Community college reform and House Bill 8 34:04 — College affordability and manageable debt 38:51 — My Texas Future and student planning tools 40:07 — Expanding higher education opportunities 42:53 — What Texas could look like in 2036 46:35 — Measuring progress toward Texas’ goals 48:11 — Legislative priorities and future reforms 52:02 — Final advice for students and families 53:46 — Closing thoughts on Texas opportunity Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

Texas Policy Update: Summer Camps, AI Deregulation & Prosecutor Power w/Brad Swail

No guest this time — just host Brad Swail breaking down three major Texas public policy issues affecting families, businesses, and local governments across the state. In this episode of Texas Talks, Brad examines the fallout from Texas’ new summer camp safety rules, the state’s new AI-powered regulatory efficiency platform, and Governor Greg Abbott’s proposal to create a statewide prosecutor’s office. The episode covers: • Texas’ summer camp licensing crisis after the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act • Why fiber optic internet requirements became a major point of controversy • Texas’ new AI tool “Sam” and the push to cut red tape • How AI could reshape regulatory review and permitting • Abbott’s proposed statewide prosecutor and the debate over local control • The balance between public safety, accountability, and county-level authority Together, these stories highlight a broader question: how can Texas respond to real problems without creating new ones through overregulation, bureaucracy, or excessive centralization? 00:00 — Intro + three major Texas policy issues 00:27 — Texas summer camp safety crisis 01:24 — Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act explained 02:16 — New camp licensing and safety requirements 03:42 — Fiber optic mandate and camp lawsuit 05:04 — Camp Mystic and broader compliance challenges 06:26 — Impact on kids, families, and Texas camps 08:17 — Texas launches AI-powered regulatory review 10:05 — Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office and “Sam” 11:28 — Vulcan Technologies and agent AI 13:16 — Balancing deregulation with safety protections 15:35 — Abbott’s statewide prosecutor proposal 17:25 — Travis County prosecution deadline controversy 18:45 — Constitutional and local-control concerns 20:33 — Reactions from supporters and critics 22:05 — What this could mean for Texas criminal justice 22:52 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com

Policies that Deliver

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores what separates effective public policy from policies that simply sound good. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. Host Brad Swail is joined by Laura Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures, and David Leebron, President and CEO of Texas 2036, for a wide-ranging discussion about evidence-based policymaking, education reform, workforce development, philanthropy, and the long-term future of Texas. The conversation focuses on a central question: how can policymakers create systems that produce measurable, long-term results instead of temporary political wins? Arnold and Leebron explain why data, accountability, and long-term thinking are critical to solving some of Texas’ biggest challenges — from higher education and workforce readiness to housing affordability, infrastructure, criminal justice, and childcare. Major topics include: • What makes a policy actually “work” • Why data and accountability matter in government • Community college reform and “credentials of value” • Connecting education pathways to workforce needs • The role of philanthropy in shaping public policy • Why Texas lawmakers need trusted nonpartisan data • Housing affordability and infrastructure challenges • Permitting reform and economic growth • Criminal justice reform and public safety • Childcare data gaps and workforce participation • The importance of long-term thinking before problems emerge • Building opportunity and economic mobility in Texas The episode also highlights several major initiatives supported by Arnold Ventures and Texas 2036, including reforms to Texas community college funding and investments in student support systems designed to improve graduation and career outcomes. A major theme throughout the discussion is the belief that good policy making should be judged not by ideology or political messaging, but by measurable outcomes that improve people’s lives. Looking toward 2036, both guests argue that Texas’ future success will depend on whether leaders can stay focused on evidence, opportunity, and practical solutions that operate at scale. 00:00 — Intro + Future of Texas overview 01:44 — Laura Arnold and David Leebron introductions 04:02 — Focus, scale, and long-term policy impact 05:21 — Why Arnold Ventures tackles systemic problems 07:26 — What makes a policy actually work 08:41 — Community colleges and “credentials of value” 11:01 — Workforce readiness and education reform 14:23 — Why government needs better data 17:34 — Helping lawmakers make better decisions 20:31 — The role of philanthropy in public policy 27:12 — San Jacinto College partnership explained 31:18 — Housing, infrastructure, and permitting reform 33:27 — Criminal justice reform and public safety 34:35 — Raising families and the future of Texas 37:10 — Opportunity, long-term planning, and 2036 vision 39:35 — Final thoughts on evidence-based policymaking Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks   Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast   Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com