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Texas is taking a bold stand against excessive regulations. In this episode of The Right Idea, Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Jerome Greener, Director of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), to discuss the state’s aggressive new push to cut red tape and boost economic freedom.
The team breaks down TREO’s first major findings — nearly $120 million in potential savings from just the initial review of 11 agencies — and how they’re using AI to make government work better for Texans. From licensing reforms for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs to modernizing outdated rules, this is one of the most ambitious regulatory reform efforts in the country.
Plus: The growing focus on government fraud and waste, why Texas needs this office despite its pro-business reputation, and how everyday Texans can help shape the next round of cuts.
01:08 – Hot Take: Government Fraud & Waste in 2026
04:16 – Guest Introduction: Jerome Greener, Director of Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO)
06:22 – $123 Million in Potential Savings Explained
07:53 – Why Texas Still Needs Major Regulatory Reform
08:49 – How TREO Differs from the Sunset Process
09:59 – The Massive Texas Administrative Code: 20 Million Words & 274K Restrictions
10:23 – What Makes a Regulation Too Burdensome?
11:30 – TREO’s Review Process & Multi-Layer Accuracy Checks
13:04 – How the Public Can Submit Regulations for Review
14:17 – How Texas Compares to Virginia & Florida
15:55 – Meet “Sam” — Texas’ Powerful AI Regulatory Chatbot
17:59 – A One-Stop Tool for Licensing & Rules
20:00 – Transparency, Agency Follow-Through & Future Savings
21:39 – Long-Term Vision: Billions in Savings & Millions of Words Cut
23:22 – Creating Government to Cut Government? Addressing Conservative Concerns
25:02 – Working with the Texas Legislature on Statutory Changes
26:47 – Real Examples of Regulatory Modernization
29:26 – Future Plans: Taking on Local Government Regulations?
30:40 – Balancing Safety, Freedom & Prosperity
31:55 – How Texans Can Engage with TREO
04:16 – Guest Introduction: Jerome Greener, Director of Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO)
06:22 – $123 Million in Potential Savings Explained
07:53 – Why Texas Still Needs Major Regulatory Reform
08:49 – How TREO Differs from the Sunset Process
09:59 – The Massive Texas Administrative Code: 20 Million Words & 274K Restrictions
10:23 – What Makes a Regulation Too Burdensome?
11:30 – TREO’s Review Process & Multi-Layer Accuracy Checks
13:04 – How the Public Can Submit Regulations for Review
14:17 – How Texas Compares to Virginia & Florida
15:55 – Meet “Sam” — Texas’ Powerful AI Regulatory Chatbot
17:59 – A One-Stop Tool for Licensing & Rules
20:00 – Transparency, Agency Follow-Through & Future Savings
21:39 – Long-Term Vision: Billions in Savings & Millions of Words Cut
23:22 – Creating Government to Cut Government? Addressing Conservative Concerns
25:02 – Working with the Texas Legislature on Statutory Changes
26:47 – Real Examples of Regulatory Modernization
29:26 – Future Plans: Taking on Local Government Regulations?
30:40 – Balancing Safety, Freedom & Prosperity
31:55 – How Texans Can Engage with TREO
Creators and Guests
Host
Brian Phillips
Brian Phillips is the Chief Communications Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. For over a decade, Brian has helped policymakers and political candidates develop effective messages and communication strategies. Phillips is a veteran of presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns, and has extensive experience working in the United States Congress and public policy think tanks.
Host
Derek M. Cohen
Derek M. Cohen, Ph.D, is the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Chief Policy & Research Officer and Right on Crime Senior Fellow. Previously the Vice President of Policy and director of Right on Crime, the Foundation’s criminal justice reform initiative, Cohen was instrumental in the passage of the First Step Act, federal legislation that borrowed from successful changes to prisons and sentencing that he had helped pass in conservative states. In addition to leading the Foundation’s work on criminal justice, he is also the lead researcher of firearms policy.
What is The Right Idea?
The Right Idea: The Texas Public Policy Foundation's weekly look at the people, policy, and politics that drive Texas.