In this episode of The Right Idea, host Derek Cohen sits down with Jose Melendez, campaign director for TPPF’s Government Reform & Oversight Coalition (GROC) and Taxpayer Protection Project.
They dig into why Texas property tax bills keep rising despite state-level relief, how local governments spend taxpayer dollars, the push for real spending limits, transparency reforms, and why banning taxpayer-funded lobbying is the key that unlocks almost every other conservative priority in the 2027 session.
Jose also breaks down Grok’s top priorities, the role of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TRIO), housing affordability, and what everyday Texans can do to hold lawmakers accountable.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & welcome to Jose Melendez
0:58 – TPP vs. GROC: Money vs. structure
2:27 – What local leaders are saying ahead of 2027
5:16 – Why tax relief isn’t enough without reform
7:31 – How GROC was born & its portfolio
10:21 – Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO/DOGE)
14:42 – Bringing efficiency audits to local government
17:13 – Local spending caps (population growth + inflation)
19:25 – Why transparency still fails taxpayers
22:49 – Senator Middleton on open records & the “roaches”
24:46 – What taxpayer-funded lobbying really is
26:21 – $111 million spent on lobbyists last session
29:59 – Chairman Vasut on banning taxpayer-funded lobbying
31:13 – Why 2027 looks different
33:46 – GROC’s top 3 priorities for next session
35:37 – How listeners can get involved
Listen on all major podcast platforms and visit TexasPolicy.com for more research and model legislation.