Taxpayer Empowerment

The American Dream of homeownership is becoming harder to achieve but Texas lawmakers are working to change that.In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF's Jose Melendez sits down with Texas State Senator Brian Hughes to discuss the landmark housing reforms passed during the 89th Legislative Session, the challenges cities are creating in implementing those reforms, and what's next for protecting property rights and expanding housing affordability across Texas.The conversation also dives into election integrity, including proposals to consolidate local elections, prevent foreign influence in Texas elections, and strengthen voter confidence ahead of the next legislative session.In this episode:Why homeownership is becoming less affordable in TexasHow Senate Bill 840 is unlocking thousands of new housing opportunitiesWhy some cities are resisting state housing reformsThe fight for property rights and accessory dwelling units (ADUs)What's planned for housing reform in the next legislative sessionWhy local election dates matter for voter turnoutThe push to consolidate elections into NovemberPreventing foreign money from influencing Texas electionsThe future of election integrity in TexasIf you care about property rights, affordable housing, limited government, election integrity, and public policy in Texas, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

On this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF's Jose Melendez sits down with candidate for Texas Comptroller Don Huffines to discuss the role of the Texas Comptroller, how they handle the state's money, Texas DOGE reforms and cutting taxes for Texans. 

How can San Antonio stay affordable, competitive, and accountable to taxpayers? In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, Texas Public Policy Foundation's Jose Melendez sits down with San Antonio City Councilwoman Misty Spears to discuss economic development, artificial intelligence, veteran entrepreneurship, city budgeting, government transparency, housing affordability, public safety, infrastructure, and the future of San Antonio.Councilwoman Spears shares insights from her recent economic development mission to Taiwan and Japan, where she worked to strengthen international partnerships in cybersecurity, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and advanced manufacturing. She also discusses her proposal for an AI workforce certification program, initiatives supporting veteran-owned small businesses, and her vision for responsible city budgeting that prioritizes core services over government expansion.The conversation explores some of the most important issues facing Texans today:✅ Economic Development & Job Creation✅ Artificial Intelligence & Workforce Training✅ Veteran Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth✅ Government Transparency & Accountability✅ Public Safety & Infrastructure Investment✅ Property Taxes & Affordability Challenges✅ Housing Policy & Homeownership Opportunities✅ Local Control vs. State Oversight✅ Audits, Budget Reform & Taxpayer Protection✅ The Future of San Antonio & Texas GrowthIf you're interested in Texas politics, local government, taxpayer advocacy, economic growth, housing affordability, public policy, city budgets, government transparency, and the future of San Antonio, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.📌 Subscribe for more interviews, policy discussions, and taxpayer-focused content.

On this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, recorded live at TPS 2026, Jose Melendez sits down with Lauren Bouton of Airbnb to break down the growing debate over short-term rental regulations in Texas.

In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, we sit down with Brad Bailey, Chairman of The Woodlands Township, to break down one of the most successful low-tax government models in Texas.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Von Ormy, Texas Mayor Art Martinez de Vara to discuss the importance of responsible, accountable, and transparent local government.

How do county decisions impact your property taxes, local debt, and government transparency? In this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, Jose Melendez, Campaign Director of the Taxpayer Protection Project, sits down with Mark Henry, County Judge of Galveston County, for a deep dive into fiscal discipline at the local level.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Lago Vista, Texas Mayor Shane Saum to break down how decisions made at city halls across Texas directly impact local taxpayers.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez is joined by Alex Horowitz of the Pew Charitable Trusts to discuss the growing housing affordability crisis in the United States and Texas.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez is joined by San Antonio City Councilwoman Misty Spears to discuss uniform election dates in Texas and why election timing matters for voters and taxpayers.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez is joined by Ed Pinto, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the AEI Housing Center at the American Enterprise Institute, to break down the housing affordability crisis in Texas and across the United States.

On this special episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock for an in-depth discussion on the state of Texas’ finances. Comptroller Hancock explains how the Comptroller’s office manages the launch of the nation’s largest school choice program, ensures transparency in state budgeting, and delivers tax relief to families impacted by the recent Hill Country flooding.

Join TPPF’s Jose Melendez on this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment as he sits down with Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause to break down how decisions made at the Texas Capitol directly impact local governments and taxpayers in Tarrant County and beyond.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Texas State Representative Hillary Hickland to discuss bond elections, local government debt, and the growing use of taxpayer-funded lobbyists in Texas. They also talk about Rep. Hickland’s strong advocacy for parental rights, her efforts to protect students from political indoctrination in schools, and how Texas can promote transparency and accountability in local governance.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, to discuss housing affordability in Texas, the state’s economic growth, and the pro-growth policies that help keep Texas’ economy strong.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Chad Ennis from the Honest Elections Project to discuss election integrity in Texas and the reforms aimed at keeping our elections secure and transparent. They break down the push for a uniform election date in Texas and what it could mean for voters across the state. Plus, they discuss the upcoming constitutional amendments that Texans will be voting on this November.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Save Austin Now’s Matt Mackowiak to discuss Austin’s Proposition Q, a controversial ballot measure that would raise city property taxes by 20%. They break down what Prop Q would actually do, why the City of Austin is asking voters to approve the tax increase, and the growing concerns from Austinites about affordability, government spending, and transparency.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Texas State Representative Helen Kerwin to discuss major property tax reform and the potential elimination of property taxes in Texas. Rep. Kerwin also shares details about her PFAS legislation designed to keep harmful chemicals out of fertilizer and protect Texas farmers and families. Plus, they expose how taxpayer-funded lobbyists were paid to fight against this important reform.

TPPF's Jose Melendez sits down with Chris Baker, founder of The Other Ones Foundation, to discuss the growing homelessness crisis in Texas. Chris shares how he got involved in helping the homeless community, why he founded The Other Ones Foundation, and what solutions could make a real impact.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez and Judge Shepard are joined by Co-State Director for Convention of States Texas Darren York to break down the 2025 Texas constitutional amendments on the ballot this November. Learn what each amendment means for Texas voters — from technical college funding and water infrastructure funding to new taxes, bail denial, and more.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson to discuss critical issues shaping Texas education policy and how the Texas Legislature is working to improve outcomes for students. They also dive into pressing taxpayer concerns, including the rising local government debt in Texas, the influence of taxpayer-funded lobbying, and more.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Representative Cody Vasut to break down the latest efforts at the Texas Legislature to deliver real property tax relief and stop government entities from using your tax dollars to lobby against you.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with his colleague James Quintero to break down the latest from the Texas Legislature’s special session and what it means for Texas taxpayers. They discuss the recently passed SB 10, which lowers the Voter Approval Tax Rate from 3.5% to 2.5%, and explore how this change impacts property taxes across Texas.

TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with San Antonio City Councilman Marc Whyte to break down the importance of zero-based budgeting in San Antonio. Discover how this budgeting approach can rein in excessive local government spending, improve city accountability, and give taxpayers a stronger voice in how their dollars are used.

TPPF's Jose Melendez is joined by Former Alvin City Council Member Joel Castro to discuss local government's increasing amount of bond debt, runaway spending, bond election reform and more. 

On this episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF's Jose Melendez and Bexar County Commissioner Grant Moody of Precinct 3 to discuss implementing local spending limits and tax reform to help taxpayers across Texas and stop local governments from eating up your property tax relief.

TPPF's Jose Melendez sits down with Ben Crockett to discuss Ben's experience dealing with taxpayer-funded lobbyists in the legislature while advocating for a piece of legislation he and his fellow Texas A&M classmates drafted.