Baker Briefing

44: What’s at Stake for Mexico in 2024? On the Border, Elections, and Democracy

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: Tony Payan, Ph.D. Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Baker Institute Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez Research Scholar, Baker Institute Edward M. Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute This conversation was recorded on March 19, 2024. The associated report, “Mexico Country Outlook 2024” was published on Jan. 18, 2024.

43: America’s Child Care Problem

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 Joyce Beebe as they discuss the state of childcare in the US, and evaluate a variety of policy solutions. Discussants: Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute Joyce Beebe, Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute This conversation was recorded on Jan. 31, 2024. The associated report, “Prime for Overhaul: Policy Tools for Solving the Child Care Crisis,” was published on Jan. 17, 2024.

42: Forced Displacement Amid Global Conflict

More than 100 days into the Israel-Gaza conflict, over 1.9 million people have been internally displaced — facing a lack of shelter, food security, and access to critical services. In the last decade, refugee numbers have surged with conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Palestine. Here, we discuss the complexities and distinctions between refugees and internally displaced people. Discussants: Ana Martin Gil, Research Manager, Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy Kelsey Norman, Director, Women’s Rights, Human Rights, and Refugees Program, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy Elizabeth Ferris, Non-resident Fellow, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy; Research Professor, Institute for the Study of International Migration, Georgetown University  This episode was recorded on February 1, 2024.

41: Alabama Ruled Frozen Embryos Are Children. Now What?

On Feb. 16, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. The decision has major implications for reproductive health access in the United States, particularly for the fertility treatment known as IVF. This episode takes a closer look at the science of human embryo research and the potential impacts of the Alabama ruling. Discussants Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D, Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy McClain Sampson, Ph.D., Fellow in Maternal and Reproductive Health, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy   This conversation was recorded on Feb. 26, 2024.  

40: Growing Unrest in the Red Sea

Since October 2023, Houthi militants have deployed missile and drone attacks in Yemen against maritime targets in the Red Sea — creating security concerns along shipping routes in one of the world’s busiest chokepoints. As a result, the world is experiencing another major disruption to global supply chains as vessels have been rerouted around Africa.  Here, we assess the security threat in the Red Sea in light of evolving regional geopolitical shifts arising from the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as the thawing of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Discussants: Jim Krane, Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies and co-director of the Middle East Energy Roundtable (MEER) initiative at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Ambassador David M. Satterfield, US Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues and Director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Baker Fellow at the institute's Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East.  Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Baker Fellow at the institute's Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East. This conversation was recorded on February 13, 2024.

39: The Future of Federal Cannabis Reform

Over half of all Americans live in a state where cannabis is legalized. And yet, the federal government has not reclassified marijuana since 1970. According to the Controlled Substances Act, it is considered a “Schedule 1” substance — the same classification as heroin and crack cocaine with no accepted medical use. Last August, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which the Drug Enforcement Administration is currently considering. If enacted, the change will have a significant effect on how states enforce drug laws.  Discussants: Victoria Jupp, Policy Assistant, Baker Institute for Public Policy; Lisa L. Pittman, Partner, Zuber Lawler; Chair-elect, American Bar Association’s Cannabis Law and Policy Committee; and Gary Hale, Nonresident Fellow in Drug Policy and Mexico Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy. This conversation was recorded on January 25, 2024.

38: A Blueprint for Fair Elections

As U.S. democratic principles are being challenged, The Carter Center and Baker Institute for Public Policy have proposed guiding principles to ensure elections are conducted in ways that give Americans greater confidence in their outcomes. This episode explores American elections and how a set of commonsense principles can promote access, security, and confidence. Discussants: David Carroll - Director, Democracy Program, The Carter Center Mark Jones - Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies at Rice University, Baker Institute Political Science Fellow, Professor in the Department of Political Science at Rice University John Williams - Fellow, Presidential Elections Program, Rice University's Baker Institute  Doug Chapin - Senior Fellow, Program Evaluation & Policy Analysis, Fors Marsh Group Hon. Kim Wyman - Senior Fellow, Bipartisan Policy Center; Former Secretary of State, State of Washington This conversation was recorded on January 26, 2024. The associated report, “Guiding Principles for Election Administration," is now available.  

37: How Public Policy Can Boost Brain Health

Modern-day stresses affect our mental health—but how are they impacting our brain chemistry? An emerging area of research argues that, if unaddressed, deteriorating brain health could diminish economic productivity, social cohesion, and overall happiness. This episode digs into the idea of “brain capital:” a framework that addresses intersections between brain health and other areas of public policy. Baker Institute Fellow Harris Eyre joins Ed Emmett for an introductory conversation. Discussants:  Edward M Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Dr. Harris Eyre MBBS, Ph.D, Fellow in the Center for Health and Biosciences, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy This episode was recorded on January 11, 2024. Read more of Dr. Eyre’s brain capital research.   

36: Houston’s Looming Budget Crisis

The City of Houston’s budget is at a tipping point. For five consecutive years, the city outspent its revenues by $100-$200 million each year. With stop-gap options drying up, city officials must plot out a more sustainable plan for the longer term. How did Houston find itself in this budgetary bind, and where must city officials go from here?  Discussants: Edward M. Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute Dr. John Diamond, Edward A. & Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute This conversation was recorded on November 29, 2023. The associated report, “State of the City’s Finances – A Deep Dive into the Fiscal Issues Facing the City”, was published on November 3, 2023 by Dr. John W. Diamond and the Greater Houston Partnership.

35: Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

Recent attacks by the Yemeni armed militant group, the Houthis, against commercial ships signal new tensions are escalating in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East. A series of events in recent weeks indicate the potential for a broader war in the region — escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas beyond Gaza. Discussants: Kelsey Norman, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East; Director, Women's Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy This episode was recorded on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.