{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Right Idea","title":"GROCs Fight Against Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying & Runaway Local Spending | The Right Idea Ep. 115 with Jose Melendez","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/9b77cd41\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2225,"description":"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.\nThey 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.\nJose 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.\n\nTimestamps:\n0:00 – Intro & welcome to Jose Melendez\n0:58 – TPP vs. GROC: Money vs. structure\n2:27 – What local leaders are saying ahead of 2027\n5:16 – Why tax relief isn’t enough without reform\n7:31 – How GROC was born & its portfolio\n10:21 – Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO/DOGE)\n14:42 – Bringing efficiency audits to local government\n17:13 – Local spending caps (population growth + inflation)\n19:25 – Why transparency still fails taxpayers\n22:49 – Senator Middleton on open records & the “roaches”\n24:46 – What taxpayer-funded lobbying really is\n26:21 – $111 million spent on lobbyists last session\n29:59 – Chairman Vasut on banning taxpayer-funded lobbying\n31:13 – Why 2027 looks different\n33:46 – GROC’s top 3 priorities for next session\n35:37 – How listeners can get involved\n\nListen on all major podcast platforms and visit TexasPolicy.com for more research and model legislation.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/thwT_vas463YC24pLKSMYY3AKfISQQVlRT7fphy8cPo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzM3NzAyLzE2NzU0/Njg2NTMtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}