Doing things the TEXAS way. In this segment, the conversation takes a bold turn into the realities of Texas power and America’s energy future with Americans for Prosperity 💡
Texas now boasts the 8th-largest economy in the world—bigger than Russia’s—which means the Texas governor holds influence that rivals global leaders. The panel dives into why energy is the backbone of that strength: no energy, no economy.
With AI data centers, Bitcoin miners, and rapid tech expansion demanding more power, Texas sits at a crossroads. Some fear new energy-hungry industries moving in—but as our guest says, that’s not innovation. Texas has the resources and the talent. What’s missing? Clearing government barriers that slow production and choke progress.
The solution: an all-of-the-above energy strategy—nuclear, oil and gas, LNG, and more—paired with serious permitting reform. Because if it takes 7–8 years to build new infrastructure, investment will go elsewhere.
This is a must-watch for anyone who cares about energy policy, economic growth, and the future of Texas leadership.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a major libertarian-conservative political advocacy group in the U.S. https://americansforprosperity.org/
Let’s gear up for a massive 2026. The Crude Truth sits down with two of the most influential grassroots leaders in Texas politics: Kristi Antonick and James Mayville of Americans for Prosperity Texas (AFP-TX) https://americansforprosperity.org/
They break down how AFP became “the people’s lobby” — connecting everyday Texans to policymakers, building a decades-long fight into a historic school choice victory, and now helping lead the charge on Governor Abbott’s bold new property tax reform agenda.
From property tax relief vs. real reform, to reining in out-of-control local spending, to educating voters on bonds and appraisals, Chrissie and James show how grassroots energy is reshaping Texas from the ground up.
Then the conversation shifts to energy: why Texas now has the 8th-largest economy in the world (bigger than Russia), why we’ll need more capacity (AI, data centers, Bitcoin, manufacturing), and how a pro-nuclear, all-of-the-above strategy and permitting reform are critical to keeping Texas free, prosperous, and powered.
They highlight Natura Resources’ molten salt reactor project near Abilene, AFP’s Freedom Unleashed Tour, and how local testimony, personal stories, and year-round door-knocking are changing both policy and elections in Texas.
If you care about school choice, property taxes, energy policy, or defending liberty in Texas, this episode is a roadmap for how citizens can get in the arena and make a real impact.
👉 Learn more / get involved: freedomisbigger.com
Timecodes / Chapters
00:00 – Setting the stage for 2025–2026 & introducing AFP Texas
02:19 – Meet Chrissie Antonic & James Mayville
02:58 – What is Americans for Prosperity Texas? “The people’s lobby”
03:46 – James’ West Texas roots & connecting people to policy
05:16 – What “grassroots” really means & using real stories
05:39 – Decades-long school choice fight & AFP’s role
07:01 – From testimony to the ballot box: replacing bad votes
10:03 – Building a “policy majority” in the Texas Legislature
11:00 Asking Texas What is Important to Determine The Policies
12:00 – Texas Homeowners Property Taxes
13:15 – Texas: envy of the nation, but the Wild West of local debt,
14:00 When Austin Tried to Raise Taxes 20%
14:53 – The Freedom Unleashed Tour & getting taxpayers into local rooms
16:33 – Educating voters on bonds, appraisals & low turnout problems
17:34 – Unleash Texas Energy Roundtable & putting experts with lawmakers
18:19 – Breaking down Abbott’s Property Tax Reform Agenda
18:59 – Appraisal overhaul: 5-year cycle & 3% cap proposal
19:51 – Supermajority for new debt & higher taxes
20:16 – New petition power: 15% of voters to roll back tax rates
21:12 – From Band-Aid relief to true structural reform
22:14 – Teaching who really taxes you: state vs. local
24:01 – Texas now has the 8th-largest economy in the world
24:38 – Why Texas needs an all-of-the-above, pro-nuclear energy strategy
25:32 – The case for nuclear, oil & gas, and LNG
25:52 – Permitting reform, infrastructure & grid security
26:12 – Natura Resources molten salt reactor & July 4th goal
27:05 – OBBA, offshore leases & federal energy wins
28:52 – What it takes to avoid an energy “crisis”
29:16 – Looking ahead to 2026: elections & defending policy champions
29:56 – Continuing the Freedom Unleashed Tour in an election year
30:21 – How to get involved: freedomisbigger.com & grassroots offices
31:30 – What freedom *really* means to AFP Texas
32:46 – “There has never been a better time to defend liberty”
33:25 – Dreaming big & solving problems: AFP’s mission in Texas
33:58 – Closing thanks & sponsors of The Crude Truth
34:57 – RNCN promo: how to launch your own show
Check out the full transcript on the Crude Truth Website.
Connect with Kristi Antonick on LinkedIn
Connect with James Mayville on LinkedIn
A shout-out to the Crude Truth Sponsors:
We want to thank our sponsors of THE CRUDE TRUTH.
Full Transcript: