Brian's Breakdown Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/brians-breakdown Brian's Breakdown is your short, sweet, and digestible guide to public policy issues facing the country today. TPPF's Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips and his guests get right to the heart of the tough questions, important debates, and critical answers to help you understand what it's all about. 2022 Texas Public Policy Foundation ac97fa5c-63bf-58c4-9603-905d4d6bc449 no Brian Phillips en Fri, 09 Feb 2024 12:01:45 -0800 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:50:21 -0800 http://Texaspolicy.com https://img.transistor.fm/wNAhBwjFuDWaCw0xqGM0T6nz0nWgzw-SKYPQHbL3VY4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI5MDM2LzE2NDcy/ODc1NDYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Brian's Breakdown http://Texaspolicy.com episodic Texas Public Policy Foundation Brian's Breakdown is your short, sweet, and digestible guide to public policy issues facing the country today. TPPF's Chief Communications Officer Brian Phillips and his guests get right to the heart of the tough questions, important debates, and critical answers to help you understand what it's all about. Brian's Breakdown is your short, sweet, and digestible guide to public policy issues facing the country today. policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation Texas Public Policy Foundation No No Lindsey Burke: Project 2025 & the Future of Education in America 19 19 Lindsey Burke: Project 2025 & the Future of Education in America full 4d7e7ad7-cfc1-4817-a539-602a7ed0e225 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5ca5bc8a Brian sits down with The Heritage Foundation’s Lindsey Burke to discuss the state of education in America today and how it can be made better tomorrow.

]]> Brian sits down with The Heritage Foundation’s Lindsey Burke to discuss the state of education in America today and how it can be made better tomorrow.

]]> Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:22:08 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1413 Brian sits down with The Heritage Foundation’s Lindsey Burke to discuss the state of education in America today and how it can be made better tomorrow.

]]> policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Joshua Treviño: Border Security 18 18 Joshua Treviño: Border Security full e780da62-8e69-45cf-970c-f00fa8f9e7c8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/73451125 Brian sits down with TPPF's Joshua Treviño to discuss what is perpetually considered the most important issue to Texans: border security.

]]> Brian sits down with TPPF's Joshua Treviño to discuss what is perpetually considered the most important issue to Texans: border security.

]]> Tue, 18 Apr 2023 14:22:45 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 2199 Brian sits down with TPPF's Joshua Treviño to discuss what is perpetually considered the most important issue to Texans: border security.

]]> policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Lauren Hickmott: Indoctrination in Our Schools 17 17 Lauren Hickmott: Indoctrination in Our Schools full f025054a-d841-48b5-942a-23b16cb6ece8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a6b5f335 Lauren Hickmott is a former 6th grade teacher from Amarillo. A few years ago she got back into education and began tutoring. Almost immediately she noticed that something was very different from her teaching days. Why weren't kids bringing home their reading assignments? The answers may shock you.  

]]> Lauren Hickmott is a former 6th grade teacher from Amarillo. A few years ago she got back into education and began tutoring. Almost immediately she noticed that something was very different from her teaching days. Why weren't kids bringing home their reading assignments? The answers may shock you.  

]]> Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:44:15 -0800 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1504 Lauren Hickmott is a former 6th grade teacher from Amarillo. A few years ago she got back into education and began tutoring. Almost immediately she noticed that something was very different from her teaching days. Why weren't kids bringing home their reading assignments? The answers may shock you.  

]]> policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Paul Dans: Project 2025 and the Next Presidential Transition 16 16 Paul Dans: Project 2025 and the Next Presidential Transition full 743d8f21-b800-4e87-b3b1-85b8ceb33762 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ccc07801 Wed, 25 Jan 2023 11:45:54 -0800 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1320 The conservative movement is getting organized to hit the ground running in the next presidential administration. Paul Dans is the head of the presidential transition project at the Heritage Foundation and is leading a national coalition to identify and train the next generation of individuals who will be running government and implementing policy. Brian and Paul breakdown what’s happening behind the scenes. The conservative movement is getting organized to hit the ground running in the next presidential administration. Paul Dans is the head of the presidential transition project at the Heritage Foundation and is leading a national coalition to identify and t policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Matt Miller: Fighting Biden’s Backdoor Gun Grab 15 15 Matt Miller: Fighting Biden’s Backdoor Gun Grab full 322eb6b3-f721-4550-94dd-4dbfb188826b https://share.transistor.fm/s/c3e88d5e Tue, 08 Nov 2022 08:07:34 -0800 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1110 Since it has been unable to pass new gun restrictions through the legislative process, President Biden’s Administration is intentionally ignoring and misinterpreting well-established law to shut down lawfully operating gun dealers. TPPF Senior Attorney Matt Miller breaks down how this backdoor scheme works and explains TPPF’s lawsuit to restore Americans’ legal right to purchase firearms. Since it has been unable to pass new gun restrictions through the legislative process, President Biden’s Administration is intentionally ignoring and misinterpreting well-established law to shut down lawfully operating gun dealers. TPPF Senior Attorney Ma policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Shannon Braun and Mandy Drogin: Protecting Students from Inside the System 14 14 Shannon Braun and Mandy Drogin: Protecting Students from Inside the System full a88d394b-479b-4a41-bbaa-0a161d00130f https://share.transistor.fm/s/cd9bfc46 Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:26:08 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 2961 Over the past two years, some parents were shocked to learn that activist school boards, administrators, and teachers have been subjecting students to controversial subjects and material without parents' consent. Shannon Braun was elected to the Colleyville ISD school board on a promise to protect students and parents' rights and has been fighting ever since. Mandy Drogin has been a longtime advocate for parental empowerment and implementing choice in education and is working on reforms that will address parents concerns in the next Texas Legislative Session. Over the past two years, some parents were shocked to learn that activist school boards, administrators, and teachers have been subjecting students to controversial subjects and material without parents' consent. Shannon Braun was elected to the Colleyvil policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Alex Fairly: When Government Ignores the Will of the People 13 13 Alex Fairly: When Government Ignores the Will of the People full af23858e-926a-4e3d-81d1-199e708e2196 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4485ba37 Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:55:52 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1165 What do you do when your local government defies the will of voters and borrows hundreds of millions of dollars taxpayers did not approve but will have to pay back? Amarillo businessman decided to find out after his town’s city council did just that. Now he's immersed in a fight to protect democracy against an out-of-control city government. What do you do when your local government defies the will of voters and borrows hundreds of millions of dollars taxpayers did not approve but will have to pay back? Amarillo businessman decided to find out after his town’s city council did just that. Now policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Ellen Troxclair: The Influence of Local Government 12 12 Ellen Troxclair: The Influence of Local Government full 70622f2f-3919-4070-8cda-276c17f5276a https://share.transistor.fm/s/ba71ec07 Mon, 15 Aug 2022 14:39:02 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1605 Ellen Troxclair was the lone conservative who experienced the inner workings of far-left local government policy making behind the scenes in Austin. As a lonely voice for greater transparency and accountability, Troxclair sheds light on the tremendous influence local governments can have on Texans’ everyday quality of life. Ellen Troxclair was the lone conservative who experienced the inner workings of far-left local government policy making behind the scenes in Austin. As a lonely voice for greater transparency and accountability, Troxclair sheds light on the tremendous inf policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Corey DeAngelis: Parental Choice and Education Freedom 11 11 Corey DeAngelis: Parental Choice and Education Freedom full 4fa6d0d3-f99d-4ff3-bd59-e131d1c70b9f https://share.transistor.fm/s/22cda695 Thu, 21 Jul 2022 08:59:28 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1341 Corey DeAngelis sees unprecedented momentum behind the movement to give parents the right to choose the best education for their children. He says several states have already passed critical reforms to empower parents and there’s no reason Texas shouldn’t be the next leader to do what’s right for parents and students. Corey DeAngelis sees unprecedented momentum behind the movement to give parents the right to choose the best education for their children. He says several states have already passed critical reforms to empower parents and there’s no reason Texas shouldn’t policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Dr. Quentin Van Meter and Andrew Brown: Gender Modification and Protecting Children 10 10 Dr. Quentin Van Meter and Andrew Brown: Gender Modification and Protecting Children full 61546595-68de-478f-b950-0663ae04ec44 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5345b5f5 Wed, 22 Jun 2022 06:31:56 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 2337 Dr. Quentin Van Meter, who has worked on pediatric hormone disorders for decades, discusses the current controversy surrounding the lack of conclusive evidence that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones help children overcome gender dysphoria. TPPF’s Andrew Brown has published new research on gender modification and what state policymakers are doing to protect children Dr. Quentin Van Meter, who has worked on pediatric hormone disorders for decades, discusses the current controversy surrounding the lack of conclusive evidence that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones help children overcome gender dysphoria. TPPF’s A policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Zach Whiting: Tech Policy and Data Privacy 9 9 Zach Whiting: Tech Policy and Data Privacy full 3a964668-e1b1-4efb-b9e0-6e695e9acf80 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ba98322c Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:48:00 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1433 TPPF’s Zach Whiting, Senior Fellow of Technology Policy, discusses why states are moving to address technology policy in a way that protects consumer rights and data privacy without using the heavy hand of government. TPPF’s Zach Whiting, Senior Fellow of Technology Policy, discusses why states are moving to address technology policy in a way that protects consumer rights and data privacy without using the heavy hand of government. policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips Jeremy Story: Parental Rights 8 8 Jeremy Story: Parental Rights full 199e948e-016e-483f-b8a4-06fa92bc2521 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7bf7030c Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:44:17 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 2611 When parent Jeremy Story confronted the Round Rock ISD school board over troubling allegations about its new nominee for superintendent, the board responded with a series of disrespectful and likely illegal actions to ignore the concerns and limit the rights of parents in the community. Mr. Story recounts his ordeal of the last year and his fight to empower parents and advocate for important reforms. When parent Jeremy Story confronted the Round Rock ISD school board over troubling allegations about its new nominee for superintendent, the board responded with a series of disrespectful and likely illegal actions to ignore the concerns and limit the rig policy, politics, political, philosophy, public policy, legislation No Brian Phillips James Quintero: Texas Property Taxes 7 7 James Quintero: Texas Property Taxes full f9cf97b9-7b36-4f44-bee7-a6644ed653a5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0ca766ec Property taxes are a Texas-sized problem. Over the last 20 years, property taxes have increased 81% faster than the average taxpayer’s ability to pay for them, contributing to too many Texans struggling to pay bills and keep their home.


TPPF Policy Director James Quintero breaks down what is driving the increase and what Texans can do right now to protect themselves and their families from runaway local governments.

The Foundation has developed a balanced, practical solution to lower property taxes by eliminating the maintenance and operations (M&O) property taxes while also funding the needs for critical services. Get the research, click here.

]]> Property taxes are a Texas-sized problem. Over the last 20 years, property taxes have increased 81% faster than the average taxpayer’s ability to pay for them, contributing to too many Texans struggling to pay bills and keep their home.


TPPF Policy Director James Quintero breaks down what is driving the increase and what Texans can do right now to protect themselves and their families from runaway local governments.

The Foundation has developed a balanced, practical solution to lower property taxes by eliminating the maintenance and operations (M&O) property taxes while also funding the needs for critical services. Get the research, click here.

]]> Tue, 10 May 2022 08:52:41 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1249 Property taxes in Texas are too high and getting worse. They threaten to drive people out of their own homes. TPPF Policy Director James Quintero breaks down what is driving the increase and what Texans can do right now to protect themselves and their families from runaway local governments. Property taxes in Texas are too high and getting worse. They threaten to drive people out of their own homes. TPPF Policy Director James Quintero breaks down what is driving the increase and what Texans can do right now to protect themselves and their fam property tax, texas, txlege, texas legislature, real estate, realtor No Brian Phillips Rodney Scott: Title 42 and Border Security 6 6 Rodney Scott: Title 42 and Border Security full 95c02b94-5073-473e-9ec3-e60af3bc39b7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b89ec362 Wed, 04 May 2022 14:20:26 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1190 President Joe Biden is either ignoring or exacerbating the crisis at the border. From his first week in office, he has reversed several Trump-era policies that were stemming the tide of illegal migration. Retired Chief of U.S. Border Patrol Rodney Scott breaks down the actions of the administration that are making the crisis worse and what Texas can do to protect itself from drugs, violence, and human trafficking flooding the southern border. President Joe Biden is either ignoring or exacerbating the crisis at the border. From his first week in office, he has reversed several Trump-era policies that were stemming the tide of illegal migration. Retired Chief of U.S. Border Patrol Rodney Scott b border, border crisis, southern border, immigration, immigration policy No Brian Phillips Dr. Cliff Porter: Health Care Innovation 5 5 Dr. Cliff Porter: Health Care Innovation full 8864f145-4bb7-4f37-b335-83c8a405876b https://share.transistor.fm/s/f9e6a2bb Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:08:28 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1149 For millions of Americans, getting health care is too difficult or too expensive. Government policies favor the bureaucracy, the insurance companies or both all at the expense of patients. Dr. Cliff Porter walks us through how new health care delivery models are focusing on patients, bringing down costs, and getting individuals and families the care they need. For millions of Americans, getting health care is too difficult or too expensive. Government policies favor the bureaucracy, the insurance companies or both all at the expense of patients. Dr. Cliff Porter walks us through how new health care delivery mod health care, policy, politics No Brian Phillips Dr. Vance Ginn: Safety Net Reforms 2 2 Dr. Vance Ginn: Safety Net Reforms full e464df96-2306-410e-a926-d407c59e31ed https://share.transistor.fm/s/699e8593 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 10:53:26 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 911 For decades, modern public policy has struggled with the persistent challenge of poverty. Dr. Vance Ginn says we need to rethink how we eliminate poverty by focusing on dignity, purpose, and self-sufficiency. For decades, modern public policy has struggled with the persistent challenge of poverty. Dr. Vance Ginn says we need to rethink how we eliminate poverty by focusing on dignity, purpose, and self-sufficiency. policy, politics, economics, welfare, poverty No Brian Phillips Michele Steeb: Homelessness 3 3 Michele Steeb: Homelessness full d7dad7e7-eacc-4fcb-9b9a-957247644a9a https://share.transistor.fm/s/e0342727 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 10:51:34 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1117 Homelessness across the country is as bad as it has ever been. New research from Michele Steeb shows how policies like "Housing First" have been a total failure despite billions of dollars spent. She says it's time to address the root causes of homelessness and combat mental illness and substance abuse. Homelessness across the country is as bad as it has ever been. New research from Michele Steeb shows how policies like "Housing First" have been a total failure despite billions of dollars spent. She says it's time to address the root causes of homelessne policy, politics, homeslessness No Brian Phillips Andrew Brown: Foster Care Reform 1 1 Andrew Brown: Foster Care Reform full c3306c36-10de-4ae3-9634-af4a6d6c2056 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ac85b98b Tue, 15 Mar 2022 11:00:38 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1399 Texas has had to address major challenges in its foster care system in recent years. TPPF’s Andrew Brown has been helping to reform the system by advocating for community-based care, stronger parental rights, and a clear meaning of what is in the “best interest of the child.” We discuss Texas’ recent history with fixing the foster care system and the path forward. Texas has had to address major challenges in its foster care system in recent years. TPPF’s Andrew Brown has been helping to reform the system by advocating for community-based care, stronger parental rights, and a clear meaning of what is in the “best in foster care, child protective services, family policy No Brian Phillips Andrew Gillen: Gainful Employment 4 4 Andrew Gillen: Gainful Employment full d7866855-d884-425c-abc8-773a4af7fc78 https://share.transistor.fm/s/047e9bfb Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:57:07 -0700 Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Public Policy Foundation 1247 Andrew Gillen, Ph.D. helps us breakdown “gainful employment” regulations which help students and families decide which college programs offer the best opportunities for graduates to find work. With 43 million Americans owing $1.6 trillion in student loan debt, reforming these regulations to improve transparency and accountability is critical. Andrew Gillen, Ph.D. helps us breakdown “gainful employment” regulations which help students and families decide which college programs offer the best opportunities for graduates to find work. With 43 million Americans owing $1.6 trillion in student loan policy, politics, higher education, education No Brian Phillips