TPPF's Derek Cohen and Jose Melendez catch up on the latest from the 89th Legislative Session and subsequent special sessions with Rep. Cole Hefner. They dive into the quorum break that put Texas in the national political spotlight before discussing policy issues like property tax reform, taxpayer-funded lobbying, housing affordability, and safeguarding Texas from foreign adversaries.

00:53 – Hot Take: Jose Melendez on the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon
04:12 – Rep. Cole Hefner: From Citizen to Chairman – His Journey to Public Service
06:19 – Addressing Quorum Breaks: Stiffer Penalties and Legislative Challenges
07:10 – Priorities for the Current Special Session
08:59 – Property Taxes: Balancing State Relief and Local Government Accountability
11:09 – Appraisal Reform: Ensuring Fairness and Predictability
12:40 – Banning Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
15:04 – Housing Affordability: HB 840 and Revitalizing Downtown Texas
17:56 – SB 17: Protecting Texas Land from Hostile Foreign Adversaries
22:50 – TRACE Act and Protecting Texas Schools from Foreign Influence
25:42 – Senate Bill 1362: Banning Red Flag Laws and Upholding Due Process
30:16 – Transportation: Addressing CDL Standards and Interstate Challenges
33:17 – Water Issues in Texas: Balancing Growth and Private Property Rights
36:15 – Looking Ahead: Key Issues for the 90th Legislative Session
41:14 – Survey Says: Addressing Voter Discontent with Government Responsiveness

Hosts Derek Cohen and Andrew Brown talk with Texas State Representative Stan Gerdes (HD-17) about a variety of policy issues addressed in the 89th Legislature. Tune in for the latest on water policy challenges, the future of nuclear energy, local government transparency, and the new smart device ban in schools. Plus, Rep. Gerdes dishes on representing both the Barbecue Capital of the World (Lockhart) and the home of the legendary Snow’s BBQ (Lexington).

1:05 - Hot Take: What Should Be a Crime?

3:09 - Barbecue Talk: Lockhart vs. Snow’s BBQ

5:07 - Rep. Gerdes’ Political Journey with Gov. Rick Perry

10:22 - Water Policy: Challenges and the Vista Ridge Project

13:22 - Nuclear Energy: Texas as the Epicenter

16:02 - HB 119: Banning Foreign Adversary Lobbying

18:17 - HB 1522: Local Government Transparency

25:30 - HB 2017: Grayson's Law (Intoxication Manslaughter Penalties)

30:51 - HB 4086: Stopping Urban Food Waste Dumping

35:02 - Unfinished Business: Local Taxation and Water Issues

38:00 - Post-Interview: More Barbecue and Legislative Updates

39:32 - News: West Texas A&M Drag Ban Discussion

44:14 - News: Cell Phone Ban in Texas Schools

50:28 - News: Travis County Bridge Rebuild Success

52:49 - Survey Says: National Guard in Washington, D.C.

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen unpack the heated Texas special session, covering the ongoing redistricting battle, the Texas Women's Privacy Act (SB 7), and critical flood response efforts in the Hill Country. From quorum breaks to property tax reforms and the push to replace the STAAR test, we explore the policies and politics shaping Texas.

1:37 - Hot Take: Presidential Privileges & Trump’s FIFA Moment
4:45 - Redistricting Debate: Is It Unconstitutional?
18:15 - Texas Women’s Privacy Act (Bathroom Bill) Update
22:45 - Flood Emergency Response Proposals
32:08 - Eliminating the STAAR Test: What’s Next?
35:52 - Property Tax Relief with SB 9
42:09 - Harris Poll: Kids, Smartphones, and Unsupervised Play
50:07 - Potential Dallas Death Star Bill Lawsuit
53:14 - What to Watch