How should Texas prepare for rapid growth, extreme weather, and increasing demands on its infrastructure?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt to discuss the state's response to flooding, water infrastructure, data centers, public education funding, property taxes, and redistricting.

Sen. Eckhardt reflects on the aftermath of the devastating Central Texas floods, arguing that while progress has been made, key recommendations on emergency communications and floodplain regulations remain unaddressed. She also explains why long-term investments in water infrastructure and disaster preparedness are becoming increasingly important as Texas continues to grow.

The conversation covers:

• Lessons learned from recent Texas flooding
• Emergency response and radio interoperability
• Water infrastructure, drought, and desalination
• Data centers, energy demand, and water consumption
• Public education funding and property taxes
• Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school finance
• Texas redistricting and the state's political future

The discussion also explores balancing state and local authority, managing Texas' continued population growth, and how policymakers can prepare for future infrastructure challenges while maintaining affordability for Texans.

00:00 — Intro & Sen. Sarah Eckhardt joins the show
01:51 — Texas flood preparedness one year later
09:47 — Building standards and floodplain development
16:14 — Water infrastructure and drought concerns
21:05 — Data centers and Texas growth
27:00 — Public education funding and ESAs
38:44 — Redistricting and Texas politics
43:26 — Final thoughts

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Can artificial intelligence help make government more efficient while saving taxpayers and businesses billions of dollars?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Reeve Bull, Policy Director at the Fulcrum Foundation and former Director of the Office of Regulatory Management under Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, to discuss one of the nation's most successful state regulatory reform efforts—and how Texas is building on that success with artificial intelligence.

Bull explains how Virginia eliminated or streamlined more than 35% of its regulatory requirements, reduced nearly half the words in agency guidance documents, and generated an estimated $1.4 billion in annual savings for residents and businesses—all while maintaining protections for public health and safety.

The conversation covers:

• How Virginia reduced regulatory burdens and saved taxpayers billions
• Using AI to review regulations, permits, and government guidance
• Why transparency is just as important as cutting regulations
• Texas' new Regulatory Efficiency Office (TRIO) and what comes next
• Occupational licensing reform and reducing unnecessary barriers to work
• How states can compare regulations and learn from one another
• The future of AI in modernizing state government

Bull also discusses how AI can rapidly identify outdated regulations, duplicate rules across agencies, and compare state regulatory codes—tasks that would traditionally require thousands of hours of manual review.

Throughout the discussion, he argues that smarter regulation isn't about eliminating necessary protections, but ensuring government rules are effective, transparent, and no more burdensome than they need to be.

00:00 — Virginia's $1.4 billion regulatory reform
00:29 — Intro + Meet Reeve Bull
02:08 — Why regulations matter
04:12 — The cosmetology licensing example
08:32 — The goals behind Virginia's reforms
09:29 — Cost-benefit analysis explained
14:48 — Reviewing every regulation
16:31 — How AI changed the process
21:58 — AI's biggest advantages
27:17 — Did Virginia meet its goals?
30:37 — Texas' TRIO initiative
35:07 — How reforms actually get approved
37:22 — Building support for regulatory reform
40:14 — Why now is the right time for AI
42:25 — The Fulcrum Foundation
43:30 — Closing thoughts

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What happens when a livestock threat once thought eradicated begins moving north toward Texas?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Dr. Lori Teller, licensed veterinarian and Executive Director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), to discuss the growing concern surrounding New World screwworm, the state of veterinary medicine in Texas, rural veterinarian shortages, telemedicine, and the future of animal health.

Dr. Teller explains how New World screwworm infestations threaten livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans, and why state and federal agencies are working urgently to prevent its spread throughout Texas and the United States.

The conversation covers:

• What New World screwworm is and how it spreads
• Why the threat has returned after decades of containment
• Sterile fly programs and eradication efforts
• The potential impact on Texas agriculture and food production
• How pet owners should respond to suspicious wounds
• State and federal coordination to contain outbreaks
• Rural veterinarian shortages across Texas
• Student debt and workforce challenges in veterinary medicine
• The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program
• Veterinary telemedicine and its limitations
• Artificial intelligence in veterinary practice
• Priorities for the upcoming Texas legislative session

Dr. Teller also discusses how veterinary medicine extends far beyond dogs and cats, encompassing livestock, wildlife, public health, food safety, and emergency response efforts that are critical to Texas' economy and agricultural sector.

The discussion explores the challenges of attracting veterinarians to rural communities, where shortages can impact ranchers, farmers, and animal owners across large geographic regions.

The episode concludes with a look at how technology, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence are beginning to transform veterinary care while reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong veterinary networks throughout Texas.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Dr. Lori Teller
01:44 — Veterinary specialties and career paths
03:44 — What is New World screwworm?
06:50 — Why screw worm has returned
09:52 — Sterile fly facilities and containment efforts
11:30 — Worst-case scenarios for Texas agriculture
14:00 — State and federal response efforts
16:13 — Current screwworm cases in Texas
17:52 — What pet owners should do
20:15 — Rural veterinarian shortages
24:18 — The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program
29:16 — Veterinary telemedicine explained
37:58 — Artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine
41:11 — Priorities for the next legislative session
41:48 — Closing thoughts

Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

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