This week, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Texas State Representative Salman Bhojani, as he navigates his newest role as Vice Chair of the House DOGE Committee. The conversation digs into the contentious election of Texas’s new Speaker of the House and why Democrats backed moderate Representative Dustin Burrows against more conservative options, as well as how Bhojani has successfully navigated the legislature’s political dynamics to pass legislation on religious freedom and higher education funding as a member of the Democratic minority. Bhojani also talks about his work in Texas’s newly formed DOGE Committee, his goal to leverage technology to make government work better, and how he hopes to work with colleagues across the aisle to focus the committee’s work on government efficiency and creating better policy outcomes in contrast to the arbitrary and reckless approach on display in Washington. Tune in to hear Representative Bhojani's inspiring path to elected office as the first-ever Muslim and South Asian in the Texas state legislature.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:04] Texas State Representative Salman Bhojani describes his work as Vice-Chair of the Texas House DOGE Committee.

• [05:40] Electing the new Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives – how it happened.

• [08:32] How politics differs from policy – bipartisan efforts in a time of great divisions.

• [10:17] The bills/laws Salman has passed and how he’s done it as a minority in a red state.

• [13:05] Unpacking the bill that got away and how he prevents future vetoes.

• [14:03] The work that the TXH DODGE Committee is prioritizing for the immediate future.

• [19:00] Salman’s stance on technology, and whether his colleagues share his optimism.

• [22:17] Oversight committees, and how to measure the success of enacted bills.

• [25:07] DOGE at the Federal level versus DOGE at the State level.

• [26:17] Salman’s path to becoming the first Muslim, South-Asian State Legislature in Texas.

• [32:46] Whether Islamophobia is better or worse since Salman took office.

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