Episode Details

Is the “Texas Miracle” still alive — and what does it take to keep Texas competitive in 2026 and beyond?

In this episode of Texas Talks, Megan Mauro, Interim President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business (TAB), joins Brad Swail to break down the state of the Texas economy. As the state chamber of commerce representing businesses of every size and industry, TAB sits at the center of Texas’ pro-growth policy debates.

Mauro explains how Texas maintains its reputation as a top business destination — from no personal or corporate income tax to regulatory consistency and recent property tax relief for small businesses. She discusses HB 9’s business personal property tax exemption increase, why consistency across Texas’ 254 counties matters, and how the Legislature is approaching affordability and housing challenges.

The conversation also dives into:

• Why Texas is the 7th largest economy in the world
• Attracting corporate headquarters while protecting small businesses
• The importance of USMCA for Texas trade
• Workforce alignment between industry and education
• Childcare as a workforce issue
• Why data centers and AI are both economic and national security priorities
• Texas’ “all of the above and below” energy strategy

Mauro makes the case that a thriving business climate isn’t just about corporations — it’s about livelihoods, job creation, and ensuring Texas families can continue building the American dream.

As the 90th Texas Legislature approaches, this episode explores what policies will shape the next chapter of the Texas economy.
 

00:00 — Introduction and Megan Mauro’s background
01:12 — What the Texas Association of Business does
03:13 — Light regulation and pro-business principles
04:35 — The Texas Miracle and economic growth
06:29 — Why industry diversity matters in Texas
10:01 — Data centers, AI, and national security
14:53 — Tech policy and regulatory consistency
18:47 — Balancing legacy industries with innovation
21:01 — Property tax reform and small business relief
27:10 — Affordability and housing challenges
29:21 — Energy policy and grid reliability
30:59 — Advocacy in Washington and USMCA
34:45 — Workforce development and childcare solutions
38:37 — TAB Foundation and education initiatives
 

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