Written By Isis Hollis, Ruthie Passmore, Brittlyn Jackson and Ryan Snow
This weekend, LEAP students had the opportunity to attend the Texas Tribune Festival 2026. Filled with exciting panels, a lunch at the Capitol, and a new cultural experience, we enjoyed a strong start to the Festival.
We got to see interesting sessions in the morning, including hearing from Representative Gina Hinajosa, author H.W. Brands, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, journalist Tom Rosenstiel, and Austin City Councilmember Mike Siegel.
Capitol Grill Lunch and Workshop
The real highlights of the day began when we had lunch with two of Representative Wharton’s staff at the State Capitol: Legislative Director Madi Hawkins and Policy Analyst (and SHAIP Alum) Makenna McDaniel, who gave us an overview of how a legislative office works and tips for pursuing internships in the Capitol.
Makenna talked about the importance of being prepared for internships by using the interviews to learn more about the job and its duties, and then becoming better at those duties.
Both Madi and Makenna stressed that, as with any internship, it can open many doors for future careers and emphasize the importance of flexibility and reputation.
While we were discussing professionalism in the unique workplace of the legislature, we also enjoyed food from Capitol Grill. With burgers, lasagna, and burrito bowls, the menu was as diverse as our government!
Madi expressed that the chain of command in a legislative office is key to handling issues properly. Even simple tasks such as answering the phone may require anyone in the office to answer an impromptu question. They noted that it is never bad to ask questions as it can help prevent future mistakes and show initiative.
Overall, we had a productive talk that left us feeling informed and prepared for any potential job. Though we did not have a lot of time, we all learned an array of valuable skills.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
Following the lunch at the Capitol, we got the opportunity to hear from the Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, in a one-on-one interview with Jim Geraghty, the Senior Political Correspondent of The National Review.
Throughout the session, I noticed that Governor Stitt was very composed and at ease as he answered all the questions.
He began by talking about how he has now been governor of Oklahoma for eight years, and he is ready to go back to his original profession (financial advisor/CEO), emphasizing his beliefs that politics was never meant to be a career. He advocated public service as a temporary duty, emphasizing that leaders should eventually return to private life and live under the policies they enacted.
Towards the middle of the session, he mentioned the National Governors Association (NGA), initiated by Teddy Roosevelt. Stitt explained that he was invited to the NGA meeting in 2026 but declined until all governors were invited. I liked that he was intentionally making an effort for all states to attend, even those in opposing political parties.
By the end, Stitt was facing audience questions about his time as governor, from the highlights to the controversies, and everything in between. His prison policies were uniquely interesting to me as a criminal justice major.
He stated that when he became governor, there was severe prison overcrowding, so when his term began, he closed four prisons. He knew the overcrowding came from the policies in place, and not the people of Oklahoma. Through closing these prisons, he has put money back into taxpayers’ pockets.
He also mentioned that inmates struggle to succeed outside of prison because they lack certain paperwork, making it difficult to obtain a job. Therefore, he introduced the Sarah Stitt Act, named after his wife; this bill was made to improve workforce readiness in prison. Six months before an inmate is released from prison, the Department of Corrections is required to assist individuals in acquiring identification cards.
For those of us who went to his panel, it was widely considered to be the most enjoyable. Governor Stitt was a commanding presence while remaining relaxed and personable—traits that LEAP students hope to emulate.
One-on-One With James Talarico
Following Governor Stitt, we attended an equally enjoyable session with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico.
Matthew Watkins started the session by discussing recent polling numbers, showing Representative Talarico consistently ahead of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Watkins continued by asking questions that led Talarico to discuss his campaign, beliefs, and what it will take to create change in Texas.
A major point Representative Talarico pushed was building a movement that is bigger than a politician or political party. He spoke about many issues ranging from university funding to AI. Watkins brought up Ken Paxton’s ad calling Talarico a socialist, and Talarico explained he considers himself a capitalist, supporting free enterprise, free markets, competition, and economic growth. He elaborated on his ideas to bring back the kind of capitalism that existed in the 1950s and 1960s, when he believes the working class was stronger. He described his position by saying he is “fighting for OG capitalism,” a phrase that made the audience chuckle.
The last 15 minutes consisted of Representative Talarico answering questions from the audience. One great question was asked by Victoria Reich, a LEAP student, about raising the minimum wage and how it could affect small business owners.
He closed with a very optimistic message to voters, saying that he hopes the people of Texas will recognize that they deserve better and that, by coming together, they can take on what he believes is a corrupt system.
A Taste of Ethiopia
Following the hope-filled ending to Talarico’s session, LEAP students were excited to try new things and ready to broaden our horizons. There was no better place to do this than dinner at Taste of Ethiopia II, as it was all of the students’ first time trying Ethiopian food!
Upon entering, we were greeted by a warm and welcoming staff, including Miriam, who was our primary server. She helped walk us through the Ethiopian dining experience while keeping us entertained. We started off by enjoying appetizers, including beef, lentil, and spinach sambusas. The sambusas were crunchy stuffed pockets filled with different bases and spices. The lentil sambusa was the group’s favorite. There was also zimamojat (a spicy collard greens dip with cottage cheese) and minchet abish (a red chili sauce with lean meat), both served with slices of flatbread.
For our entrees, they were all served atop injera (a spongy and light crepe-like bread). Some of our favorites were Doro Wot and Alicha Siga Wot. Doro Wot is a traditional chicken thigh and drumstick dish, served on the bone in a hot red stew with berbere (a flavorful spice mixture). The chicken was rich in flavor and complemented the stew well. The Alicha Siga Wot is a beef tip dish that is a staple of Ethiopia. The dish was surprisingly sweet and had a green turmeric stew with jalapenos and onions.
Combining our delightful dinner experience with the thought-provoking panels at the Texas Tribune Festival made for a fantastic first day in Austin. Ready for whatever comes our way, we are excited for the days ahead!
