Texas Briefing
Policy talk, Texas-sized.
Institute experts and their guests deliver insights into the policy challenges shaping life in the Lone Star State, untangling issues in health, the economy, climate resilience, and more to understand how policy matters are impacting communities from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast.
Latest Episode
New Texas Hemp Rules and the Future of Cannabis Policy
In this episode, Ed Emmett and Katharine Neill Harris examine Texas’ new hemp regulations, including what has changed and their implications for policy, public health, and enforcement.
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Between Pulpit and Policy: Student Voices on Faith, Politics, and University Life in Texas
“Between Pulpit and Policy” is a four-part series presented as part of the “Texas Briefing” podcast, exploring the rising influence of faith, particularly Christian nationalism, in Texas politics — and how it’s transforming public policy and governance.
Michael O. Emerson March 31, 2026
Between Pulpit and Policy: The Politics of Faith and Science in Texas
“Between Pulpit and Policy” is a four-part series presented as part of the “Texas Briefing” podcast, exploring the rising influence of faith, particularly Christian nationalism, in Texas politics — and how it’s transforming public policy and governance.
Michael O. Emerson, Neal F. Lane, Heidi Russell February 6, 2026
Between Pulpit and Policy: Religion at Work in Texas
“Between Pulpit and Policy” is a four-part series presented as part of the “Texas Briefing” podcast, exploring the rising influence of faith, particularly Christian nationalism, in Texas politics — and how it’s transforming public policy and governance.
Michael O. Emerson, Elaine Howard Ecklund February 6, 2026
Between Pulpit and Policy: Religion and the Battle for Texas Public Schools
“Between Pulpit and Policy” is a four-part series presented as part of the “Texas Briefing” podcast, exploring the rising influence of faith, particularly Christian nationalism, in Texas politics — and how it’s transforming public policy and governance.
Michael O. Emerson, David R. Brockman February 4, 2026
Religion and the Battle for Texas Public Schools
Baker Institute fellows Michael O. Emerson and David R. Brockman unpack how faith-based politics, Christian nationalism, and recent legislative actions are reshaping classrooms across Texas.
Michael O. Emerson, David R. Brockman February 4, 2026
Between Pulpit and Policy: Christian Nationalism and the Texas Legislature
“Between Pulpit and Policy” is a four-part “Texas Briefing” podcast series exploring how faith, especially Christian nationalism, is shaping Texas politics and public policy.
Michael O. Emerson, Mark P. Jones February 3, 2026
Why Can’t Texas Women Get Their Preferred Birth Control?
More than half of Texas women can’t access their preferred birth control method — meaning they can’t use the method that works best for them. Gracia Sierra and Elena M. Marks discuss how insurance status shapes access to contraception and why uninsured and publicly insured people are most likely to face barriers.
Gracia Sierra, Elena M. Marks November 20, 2025
Getting Hemp Regulation Right
Katharine Neill Harris lays out the consumer risks of underregulated hemp products and commonsense measures to protect public health and child safety as lawmakers return to Austin to address the issue in a special legislative session.
Katharine Harris, Michael O. Emerson July 22, 2025
How Texas’ Abortion Ban Is Straining Its OB-GYN Workforce
Alex Morin joins Elena M. Marks on the “Texas Briefing” podcast to discuss how legal uncertainty around the state’s strict abortion ban is reshaping reproductive health outcomes — and what it means for the OB-GYN workforce pipeline.
Alex Morin, Elena M. Marks June 12, 2025
Will New Abortion Legislation Save Pregnant Patients’ Lives?
The Texas Tribune’s Eleanor Klibanoff joins Elena M. Marks to discuss Senate Bill 31, bipartisan legislation passed in May that aims to clarify when doctors can legally perform emergency abortions in Texas.
Eleanor Klibanoff, Elena M. Marks June 5, 2025