{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Parent Empowerment with Mandy Drogin","title":"Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists and The Education Cartel","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/4c65795b\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2332,"description":"On this explosive episode of Parent Empowerment, Mandy Drogin sits down with Judge Shepard and Ben Crockett from the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Government Reform & Oversight Coalition to expose the powerful role of taxpayer-funded lobbyists in the Texas Legislature.\nDiscover how organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) use taxpayer dollars to influence lawmakers and block meaningful education and government reform in Texas. This eye-opening conversation breaks down the hidden lobbying system operating behind the scenes and what it means for parents and taxpayers.\nThey also dive into two groundbreaking new research reports from TPPF, revealing:\nHow much taxpayer money is being funneled into lobbyists’ pockets\nHow school bond debt is being manipulated and used against Texas taxpayers\nThe growing financial burden on families across the state\nIf you care about education reform, government transparency, and protecting taxpayer dollars in Texas, this is a must-watch.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/_ImoH02SqKSezOOeC82tf4FL0wBpSk9AYZWFfSkkkN4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80YWRk/NjUyMjI1MjY4NGNk/ZTlmMDczYzRiOGE2/OWEyYi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}