Looking ahead after Super Tuesday, Frank is joined by Kari Lake, a candidate for the United States Senate in Arizona. Kari discusses the importance of securing the border and implementing America First policies. She highlights the need for strong leadership and a focus on national security. Frank and Kari emphasize the negative impact of open borders and the importance of bringing Republicans together to address critical issues. Kari also discusses the biased media coverage and the need for Amer...
Mar 06, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Harvey Kronberg makes his return to State House! Together with Frank, they cover various themes in Texas politics, including the influence of disinformation, the civil war within the Republican Party, the power dynamics in the Texas Senate, the role of billionaires in politics, and the potential outcomes of the upcoming primaries and November election. The discussion also touches on the changing focus of campaigns, the potential succession of political leaders, and the uncertainty and anticipati...
Feb 28, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In part two of the conversation with Frank and Sherry Sylvester, they touch on the impact of national politics on Texas, the economic strength of the state, and the perception of Texas and Texans. Both Santos and Sylvester express optimism for the future of Texas politics and highlight the need for school choice in the state. For the full bio on Sherry: https://www.texaspolicy.com/about/staff/sherry-sylvester-2/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Website: https://statehousepodcast.com/ Facebook: https://www...
Feb 14, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this conversation, Frank talks to Sherry Sylvester, a public policy expert and a distinguished Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, about the current political landscape in Texas. They discuss various issues, including the crisis at the border, the influence of Governor Greg Abbott, challenges in the Texas House of Representatives, and the importance of Republican unity. For the full bio on Sherry: https://www.texaspolicy.com/about/staff/sherry-sylvester-2/ JOIN THE CONVERSATI...
Jan 31, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In part two of our State House recap and forecast series, we unravel the intricate web of events that unfolded during the 2023 legislative session and its aftermath, setting the stage for the "Election Civil War" of 2024. Join as host Frank Santos navigates the complex landscape of Texas politics, shedding light on the power struggles that emerged among the state's top Republican leaders—Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Governor Greg Abbott, and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Their alliances and c...
Jan 17, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Step inside our new State House mobile podcasting sprinter as we bring you closer to the heart of Texas politics. Join us as we dive into the intricacies of the Texas legislative process, where the governor and lieutenant governor set the stage with their priorities, and thousands of pieces of legislation vie for attention. From school choice and parental rights to teacher pay raises, border security, and the intricate state budget, State House covered it all. Discover the challenges faced by ve...
Jan 03, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In the second part of the conversation, Mandy sheds light on the impact of school choice on low-income families, drawing examples from Florida's success in implementing private school choice for low-income demographics. The discussion covers the influence of lobbyists and interest groups on education policies, addressing concerns about technology overuse in classrooms and its potential negative effects on young minds. They cover the role of teachers and their challenges within the system, examin...
Dec 20, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 11
NOTE: This release marks the beginning of State House's bi-weekly release schedule for the holidays! Join us every other week beginning in December through the month of January to stay up to date on the issues that matter most to Texans as we enter the election year! Did you know that 90% of Texans are within a 30-minute drive of a career or technical college, a community college, or a certification program? Yet, there's a catch. Mandy Drogin, the campaign director for Next Generation Texas at t...
Dec 06, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In part two of the conversation, Frank and Dennis explore the crucial work the coalition does for the disabled community in Texas. Despite differing views, Dennis and Frank engage in a spirited dialogue on various political issues, emphasizing the importance of open discussions in politics. Discover the challenges faced by the coalition, the impact of public support, and the broad spectrum of issues they tackle, from healthcare and education to transportation and voting access. They discuss the ...
Nov 29, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Dennis Borel, Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities provides insights into the work of a cross-disability organization that navigates the multifaceted realm of disabilities, chronic illnesses, and diverse age groups. Frank and Dennis discuss the importance of collaborative efforts, linking various disability-focused groups to amplify their impact on healthcare policy. Frank, drawing from his experience in the pharmaceutical industry, shares stories about the challenges ...
Nov 22, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 8
WARNING: This episode's content contains mature and strong content. Discretion is advised. In part two of the conversation, Andrea and Frank share concerns about the impact of excessive screen time on children and the need for parents to set boundaries, emphasizing the importance of delaying the introduction of smartphones and creating contracts to establish expectations. They confront the challenges of parenting in the digital age, including the prevalence of explicit content and the desensitiz...
Nov 15, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this Texas election day special, Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the intricacies of managing the state's $321 billion budget in the rapidly growing and changing economic landscape of Texas. Frank and Comptroller Hegar provide insights into the state's economic prosperity, revealing a staggering $18 billion surplus. They dive into the challenges posed by budget projections, the impact of corporate relocations, infrastructure development, and how the surplus may affect future spending. With c...
Nov 07, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 6
WARNING: This episode's content contains mature and strong content. Discretion is advised. There is an alarming issue of child trafficking in Texas and technology is playing a significant role. In part one of this conversation with Andrea Sparks, a dedicated child advocate with extensive experience in various roles related to child protection. She has represented children in CPS and juvenile justice cases, served as the director of public affairs at Texas CASA, and held positions at the Texas Of...
Nov 01, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this part two episode, Frank and Dr. Harris discuss how the legislative approach to medical cannabis in Texas falls short of providing necessary medical access and the difficulties faced by patients seeking relief through the program. They highlight the challenges faced by chronic pain patients, the misconceptions about cannabis use, and the potential impact on the opioid crisis. The conversation also touches on the role of agencies and the benefits of an administrative approach to cannabis p...
Oct 25, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Dr. Katharine Neill Harris, of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy joins the show for a two-part conversation to discuss the pressing issue of the Texas Compassionate Use program. Frank and Dr. Harris share their insights on the program's shortcomings and the need for legislative action. They discuss the current state of the program, including the provider issue, the lack of accessibility for patients, and the exorbitant costs associated with the existing medical cannabis program...
Oct 18, 2023•19 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In the second segment, we discuss the intricacies of school choice and the pressing issues surrounding our public education system. We debate the complexities of this critical topic, shedding light on the nuances and challenges faced by parents, students, and policymakers alike. Discover why school choice has become a hot-button issue, as parents seek alternatives to traditional public schools and demand more control over their children's education. Explore the role of parental engagement in sha...
Oct 11, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 2
As we enter into the session's turbulent events, from internal party conflicts to high-profile trials, John Colyandro provides unique insights into the political process. In this two-part conversation, discover how misinformation and social media play a role in shaping public opinion and why it's crucial to base political discussions on facts. We explore the controversial topic of school choice and debunk some common misconceptions while shedding light on the challenges faced by special needs st...
Oct 04, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
We're peeling back the layers of deception, exposing the potential abuse of power, and shedding light on the shocking allegations surrounding Ken Paxton's impeachment. From the swift ousting of a member due to inappropriate conduct with an intern to the subsequent impeachment of the state's top legal official, we expose the dark underbelly of the capital's changing environment. Get ready to be captivated by an episode of political intrigue, ethical dilemmas, and the quest for accountability. Lis...
Jun 06, 2023•28 min
With the House adjourned and the Senate still in session, the question arises: what's the next move? The lieutenant governor's allegiance to Republican primary voters fuels an outrage machine against the House members, adding to the political tension. Join us as we unravel the complex dynamics, political gamesmanship, and the uncertain future of property tax reform in Texas. Listen in to Part 4 of the Summer Legislative Series! Reporting Texas Politics since 1983. Follow Harvey Kronberg's Quorum...
Jun 02, 2023•26 min
For this summer mini series covering the current legislative session in Texas, Frank and Harvey transition into the post-legislative session and approach the upcoming elections. They explore the current happenings at the Capitol and analyze their potential impact. Particularly in the multifaceted dynamics that shape the state's political landscape, both in the legislative realm and through the lens of the presidential race. They uncover the interplay between legislative priorities and the outcom...
May 31, 2023•30 min
For this summer mini series covering the current legislative session in Texas, Frank and Harvey transition into the post-legislative session and approach the upcoming elections. They explore the current happenings at the Capitol and analyze their potential impact. Highlighting the political considerations and primary concerns of Republicans, particularly influenced by evangelical voters. They point out that the denial of gender affirming care goes against accepted medical practice and may have n...
May 25, 2023•25 min
For this summer mini series covering the current legislative session in Texas, Frank and Harvey transition into the post-legislative session and approach the upcoming elections. They explore the current happenings at the Capitol and analyze their potential impact. From discussing specific issues and bills including the voucher bill, to examining how the presidential election will affect Texas, there is a wealth of intriguing topics to delve into. Stay up to date on the most important local issue...
May 23, 2023•30 min
“Politics is just a game of 3D chess." We are very thankful for all of our listeners as we have reached the top 75 political podcasts in the nation in six months, so thank you for your support! Frank again sheds light on myths and misconceptions surrounding the Texas capital, especially with regard to how money is used to both promote “special interest” issues as well as what types of funds are used for election and re-election. Far from what you may have heard on the news or the most popular po...
May 04, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Leaving active duty can be a challenging experience, and the transition to civilian life can be difficult to navigate. Our guest, Chad Metcalf, will share his personal journey and discuss the support systems and resources that were available to him during this time. We will delve into topics such as how he prepared for the transition, the challenges that one may face, and strategies for overcoming these challenges. We will also explore how the skills and experiences gained during military servic...
Apr 27, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 14
“Rage is the theme and the day-to-day expression is more weapons than you can imagine” This is the stage that is being set at the Texas capital right now as they are nearing the end of the session. Anger seems to be seeping from the air vents, clouding the rhetoric and judgments of all who breathe it in. Harvey is back and shedding the light on the cloak of darkness that seems to be pervading the Texas capital, emboldened by the mass security and automatic weaponry on display for all to see. Far...
Apr 19, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Original Air Date: 2/8/23 UPDATE: CSHB 1805 by Chairman Klick, makes significant changes to the Texas Compassionate Use Act that are critical to Texas patients Medical Cannabis is saving the lives of military veterans with PTSD. There are three major ways veterans are fighting the emotional battle against PTSD. They suppress, repress, or escape emotions which brings them further and further away from homeostasis. In this episode, we'll hear from speaker, coach, and military veteran Judson Kauffm...
Apr 11, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Throwing money at a problem does not magically solve an issue. In this episode hosted by Frank Santos, returning guest Harvey Kronberg is back shedding light on the ongoing crisis at the southern Texas border, explaining why many of the arguments thrown toward the problem of illegal immigrants don’t hold much weight. Listen to this episode to discover: What is causing the surprisingly high suicide rate of Texas troopers stationed at the border How stopping every truck at the border is doing more...
Apr 05, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
“Up to 50% of alcohol home deliveries go to minors” according to data from federal stings operations. Join host Frank Santos and guest Lance as they discuss the pressing issue of illegal alcohol consumption and delivery, especially involving minors. Lance, a veteran lobbyist, shares his passion for keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors and the challenges that come with it, especially with the rise of delivery services like Instacart and Favor. With more proposed laws on the horizon threaten...
Mar 29, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Motivated by reading mothers’ testimony in support of Texas’ 2015 Compassionate Use Act (CUP), after a 15 year career in commercial litigation, Lisa Pittman radically changed her trajectory to focus on the medical cannabis world. First, she advised LSU on its role as cultivator/extractor/distributor under Louisiana’s 2015 medical cannabis law. Simultaneously, in Texas, she worked on DPS rule-making for the CUP, the 2017 license application process, and legislative advocacy at the Capitol. She we...
Mar 22, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In today’s episode, Frank and Harvey take a deep dive into the mechanics of the Hispanic/Latino population. How do they vote? What do they value? How can Democrats and Republicans do a better job of making them feel heard? Frank’s guest, Harvey Kronberg, is a first-generation immigrant and a serial entrepreneur, owning Austin Flag and Flagpole with his wife Michelle and publishing the Quorum Report. There seems to be a shift happening in the majority of the Hispanic population in America, and Ha...
Mar 15, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
