As the state begins to re-open, questions around policy solutions and how we move forward are critical. TPPF experts are writing, presenting policy solutions, and are available for club meetings or media interviews. Below is a selection of some of our experts and the topics in which they specialize. To arrange an appearance from or interview with any of these experts, contact Sarah Silberstein at [email protected].
Topic: Texas Recovery Efforts
- Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., TPPF Executive Director
- Appointed to serve on the Special Advisory Council to Gov. Greg Abbott’s Statewide Strike Force tasked with developing plans to safely reopen the state
- Recent commentary in the Washington Times: Counting the true cost of another shutdown
Topic: Healthcare Industry
- David Balat, Policy Director, Right on Healthcare
- A seasoned hospital executive with more than 20 years of healthcare industry leadership and executive management experience
- Recent commentary in the Washington Examiner: Trump’s healthcare plan puts the patient where Obamacare didn’t: first
Topics: Workplace Recovery Act, State Regulations
- Rod Bordelon, Senior Fellow & Policy Director, Remember the Taxpayer
- Extensive experience leading major state regulatory agencies and implementing reforms including over 30 years in insurance, workers’ compensation, and legislative affairs
- Recent opinion piece in the Austin American-Statesman: Government should support workplace safety – then get out of the way
Topic: Economy and Recovery
- Vance Ginn, P.h.D., Chief Economist
- Earned his doctorate in economics at Texas Tech University, former Associate Director for Economic Policy of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at the Executive Office of the President during President Donald Trump’s administration, former lecturer at Texas Tech University and Sam Houston State University.
- Recent publication: Overview of the RESTART Act
Topic: Foster Care
- Andrew C. Brown, J.D., Distinguished Senior Fellow of Child & Family Policy
- An attorney, he has represented children in the child welfare system, advocated for the rights of parents, and helped build families through domestic and international adoption
- Recent commentary in the New York Daily News: Stop the clock for kids in foster care
Topic: Elections
- Quico Canseco, Director, Election Protection Project
- Represented the 23rd congressional district of Texas, licensed attorney
- Recent commentary in the Houston Courant: In elections, confusion creates opportunities for disenfranchisement
Topic: Criminal Justice
- Derek M. Cohen, Ph.D., Policy Director, Right on Crime
- Worked as a researcher with the University of Cincinnati’s Institute of Crime Science and completed three advanced statistical trainings at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan
- Recent testimony: Can Texas keep weapons from the hands of dangerous criminals?
Topic: Immigration
- Ken Oliver, Senior Director of Engagement & Right on Immigration
- Before joining TPPF Ken served as Special Assistant to the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and as White House Director of Specialty Media during President George W. Bush’s administration, Special Assistant to former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño, Assistant Secretary of State and Special Assistant to the Administrator of the Puerto Rico Economic Development Administration.
- recent commentary in The Federalist: Coronavirus Is About To Explode In Mexico. It’s Time to Secure the Border
Topics: Economy, China, Taxes
- The Honorable Chuck DeVore, Vice President of National Initiatives
- Former California assemblyman works on criminal justice reform and frequently writes about the economy and how energy, tax, and regulatory policies influence general prosperity
- Recent opinion piece in Forbes: Election Fraud in America
Topic: Legal Issues
- The Honorable Robert Henneke, General Counsel
- Served as the twice-elected Kerr County Attorney, began his legal career serving as an Assistant Attorney General, has appeared on national news shows, such as Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC, commentaries published in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fox News, etc.
- Recent commentary in Austin American-Statesman: Texans are paying to keep officers subject to discipline
Topic: Federal Issues
- The Honorable John N. Hostettler, Vice President of Federal Affairs, States Trust
- Served in the U.S. House from 1995 to 2007, founded the Constitution Institute
- Recent opinion piece in the Washington Times: The Constitution forbids proxy voting in the House
Topics: Energy and the Environment
- The Honorable Jason Isaac, Director, Life:Powered
- Elected four times as a Texas state representative, leads Life:Powered initiative which has a focus on the importance of affordable, reliable energy
- Recent commentary in Real Clear Energy: New methane rule: right for Americans, environment
Topic: Local Governments
- James Quintero, Policy Director, Government for the People
- Work has focused extensively on state & local government spending, taxes, debt, public pension reform, annexation, and local regulations
- Recent commentary in the Austin American-Statesman: Will playing politics with public safety backfire on Austin?
Topic: Education
- Emily Sass, Policy Director, Next Generation Texas
- Former teacher, served on Senator Ted Cruz’s state staff as Deputy Regional Director for North Texas
- Recent op-ed in The Hill: Now is the time to renew our focus on students and their futures