James Quintero - Policy Director, TPPF Joins Houston's Morning News

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
You know, I'd like to shrink regulations. I'd like to
shrink government. That evidently you would too. Canona Online did
a survey here and found that here in Texas that's
how people feel. They feel our government is too big,
that we have too many rules and regulations to follow.
James Quinteroll joins this public policy director of the Texas
Public Policy Foundation. You wouldn't mind to see a little

(00:22):
shrinkage when it comes to Texas government, would you.

Speaker 2 (00:26):
Just a little bit? Good morning, Jimmy. I hope this
morning's treating you well.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
So far, so good, sir. So did do you think
the public knows specifically what it is they would like
to see change, what they would like to see shrink?

Speaker 2 (00:41):
No, not exactly, but but before we even get there,
you know, one of the things I noticed yesterday was
the fact that Governor Abbott made mention that this session's
most important task was to set the state up as
a guardian of freedom, and within his State of the
State address, he made mention a couple of different times
about slashing regulations as part of that goal. And so

(01:06):
I think state leadership at least recognizes the need for
regulatory reform. And I'm encouraged that we're going to see
some legislation here soon to move us further in that direction. Now,
does the public really understand all of the red tape
that it labors under? No, I don't think so. And
as evidence of that, one point I usually make is,

(01:30):
you know, when you, as a consumer go to purchase
a house, twenty five percent of the cost that you
incur when you sign those documents is on account of federal, state,
and local government regulations. So most people don't know that
it adds tons of cost to everyday items.

Speaker 1 (01:48):
Kills a lot of trees do There's a lot of
paperwork involved in that. Let's talk about some of the
specifics here of what they wanted in this Ninety four percent,
according to the survey, want to requirement that all regulations
be written and plane language so they're clear and easy
to understand. What a great idea that would be.

Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yeah, that's right. You know, it turns out that that
most people don't understand the exact nature of the regulations
that they, you know, endure, but they do know that
they want some common sense things applied to government. And
so you know, folks want to know, you know, what
is it exactly that's being asked of me. You know.
Let's they also want a sunset mechanism put on these

(02:30):
things so that you know what, they're periodically reviewed and reapproved.
And they also want some outside eyes. They want a
third party efficiency audit of government and all of its
various operations to make sure that things are working in
an efficient manner. And so, you know, folks want some
very common sense ideas apply to the regulatory landscape, and

(02:50):
hopefully the legislature is getting ready to listen.

Speaker 1 (02:52):
Here's a good one. Now I get your thoughts on
this one. Ninety percent favor requiring that before any new
regulation is adopted, those who have to live under the
rule have a chance to give their input. How how
common sense is that?

Speaker 2 (03:06):
Oh? I mean, you know, it's it's astounding that we
have bureaucrats who are creating rules and regulations for the
rest of us to live under, and we have either
a minimal opportunity or no opportunity whatsoever to provide input
from the perspective of those who are, you know, affected

(03:27):
by the rules and regulation. So yeah, you know, folks
just want a chance to have their voice heard, to
have their opinion known, and perhaps make a little bit
of policy change for you know, for what they're doing.

Speaker 1 (03:39):
Well, let's let's give this list to the same legislature
and let them get to work on it, because I
think these all make a lot of sense.

Speaker 2 (03:45):
To me, well, they do make a lot of sense.
I am encouraged by not only the trends that are
happening nationally, but what's happening here in Texas. We seem
to be marching towards a freer and better state with
less regulations and hopefully lower taxes as well. I think
things are. We are living in some transformational times, and

(04:08):
hopefully we're going to see a rollback of the regulatory
state here in Texas soon.

Speaker 1 (04:13):
Let's hope. So James Quintaro, thanks as always, sir, good
to talk to you. Appreciate it. Thanks, Thanks, Jamy, you
bet James Quintaro, Texas Public Policy Foundation, six twenty six