Texas Economy, Education Freedom Accounts, and State Spending Transparency w/Kelly Hancock
Podcast:Texas Talks Published On: Thu Feb 26 2026 Description: In this episode, Kelly Hancock, Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, breaks down what the Comptroller’s office actually does—and what the latest numbers say about the Texas economy. Hancock discusses revenue estimating, procurement, contracts, and why sales tax trends matter so much to the state budget. He also explains how Texas is tracking key indicators like manufacturing, construction, and the impact of major projects such as data centers, plus how the state is making more economic data accessible to the public through Texas Comptroller “TexStats.” The conversation also covers the rollout of Texas Education Freedom Accounts (education savings accounts)—including registration numbers, program priorities, and the office’s focus on customer-service speed and transparency. Finally, Hancock addresses procurement policy changes tied to DEI-era frameworks, what “leveling the playing field” means in practice, and why he wants stronger auditing authority to protect taxpayer dollars. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks Follow us on social mediaX: @Texas_DispatchInstagram: thetexasdispatchLinkedIn: The Texas DispatchTikTok: texas_talks_podcast Find more at The Texas DispatchYour source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism.https://thetexasdispatch.com