52: What China’s Video Game Regulations Mean for the Rest of Us
Baker Briefing
In December 2023, China released a set of proposed regulations on its video gaming industry. The regulations would have targeted many of the most common monetization features in video games — like daily log-in rewards, bonuses for first-time users of in-game currencies, and “loot boxes,” a kind of randomized prize draw that some liken to legalized gambling. But then something happened: The release of the proposals caused Chinese gaming stocks to plunge, and the government quickly walked the regulations back. Here we unpack what this incident tells us about the regulatory power of the...
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51: What President Raisi’s Death Means for Iran
Baker Briefing
On May 19, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died suddenly in a helicopter accident. Experts share what policy direction they expect Iran to take in the aftermath of Raisi’s death and what reactions they anticipate from the Gulf. Discussants Fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute Fellow for the Middle East and Co-Director, Middle East Energy Roundtable, Baker Institute Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy This conversation was recorded on May 21, 2024.
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50: The Future of Fuels
Baker Briefing
In this episode of Baker Briefing, experts explore the future of fuels for passenger and freight mobility. The episode is part of an initiative by the investigating the supply chain and cost implications of transitioning fuels across the transportation sector — the economy’s circulatory system. A transcript of the episode is available . This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review. Discussants Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director,...
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49: Child Health and Urban Design
Baker Briefing
American children today are less active than ever before, raising important concerns about physical health, mental health, well-being, and autonomy. This episode explores the relationship between our urban environments, childhood safety, and well-being. A transcript of the episode is available . This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review. Discussants Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UTHealth Houston Huffington Fellow in Child Health Policy, Baker Institute Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute This...
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48: How Texas Is Testing the Line Between Church and State in Schools
Baker Briefing
Legislative attempts to undermine church-state separation in Texas reached a crescendo in 2023, according to a from nonresident scholar David Brockman. This episode features a conversation between Brockman and fellow Ed Emmett on three high-profile bills introduced by Texas lawmakers in 2023 and their connection to a broader movement that seeks to privilege Christianity in public schools. A transcript of the episode is available . This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review. Discussants Nonresident Fellow Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy This...
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47: Mayor Whitmire’s Plan for Houston
Baker Briefing
Houston Mayor John Whitmire just marked his first 100 days in office. In that time he’s taken steps intended to improve the city's finances, public safety, infrastructure, mobility options, and delivery of services. This special episode features an armchair conversation between Whitmire and Ed Emmett, a Baker Institute fellow and former Harris County judge, on the past and future of Houston. The event was held on April 3 in front of a live audience at Rice University. A transcript of the episode is available . This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review. ...
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46: Adapting the Texas Power Grid to Meet Evolving Energy Needs
Baker Briefing
Since Winter Storm Uri knocked out power throughout Texas in February 2021, causing billions of dollars in damage and hundreds of deaths, preparing the Texas grid for extreme weather has been a top priority for the state. But the power grid — serviced by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) — faces other pressures, too. Population growth, economic expansion, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and cryptocurrency mining have all placed increased demands on the state’s energy infrastructure. In this episode, experts in energy and economics explore how Texas can adapt the...
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45: Will Taiwan’s Energy Policy Doom Its Push for Sovereignty?
Baker Briefing
On Jan. 13, Taiwanese voters elected William Lai, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and a separatist in the eyes of Beijing, to be their next president. Experts discuss what Lai’s victory means for the island's energy policy, cross-strait relations, and push for sovereignty. Discussants Baker Botts Fellow in Energy & Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Baker Institute Research Manager, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, Baker Institute Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert...
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44: What’s At Stake for Mexico in 2024? On the Border, Elections, and Democracy
Baker Briefing
On June 2, Mexico will hold its largest elections ever. Voters will decide whether or not the ruling left-wing MORENA party will stay in power. Meanwhile, in the U.S., election season is heating up, and the southern border is top of mind for voters and politicians alike. On this episode, Tony Payan, Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez, and Ed Emmett discuss what's ahead for Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations. Discussants: Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute Research Scholar, Baker Institute Fellow in Energy and...
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43: America's Child Care Problem
Baker Briefing
The U.S. child care industry has faced major challenges in recent years, including high staff turnover and a shortage of providers — particularly affordable ones. These issues only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought the growing child care crisis into focus. As $39 billion in child care assistance funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) began to phase out in September 2023, onlookers warned that up to 3 million children could experience disruptions in child care nationwide — a “child care cliff.” Join and fellows Ed Emmett and Dr. Joyce Beebe as they discuss...
info_outlineIn this episode of Baker Briefing, experts explore the future of fuels for passenger and freight mobility. The episode is part of an initiative by the Center for Energy Studies investigating the supply chain and cost implications of transitioning fuels across the transportation sector — the economy’s circulatory system.
A transcript of the episode is available here. This text was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Discussants
Edward M. Emmett
Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute
Kenneth B. Medlock III
James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute
This conversation was recorded on May 7, 2024.