Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast Justin Wolfers & Gina Hinojosa
17 snips
Mar 14, 2026 
Gina Hinojosa, Texas state representative running for governor focused on education, anti-corruption, and infrastructure. Justin Wolfers, economist and professor analyzing macro trends and policy impacts. They discuss economic damage from recent policies and risks of war, plus Texas political momentum, school funding, infrastructure failures, and how grassroots organizing can overcome big money.
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Avoid Reckless Policy Moves During Fragile Data
- Given weak indicators, policymakers should avoid impulsive actions that worsen market confidence.
- Wolfers' practical counsel to the administration: "don't do anything stupid" while the economy is fragile.
Hormuz Is A Small Chokepoint With Huge Market Power
- The Strait of Hormuz bottleneck makes global oil trade highly vulnerable because small forces can disrupt tanker transit and insurance.
- Wolfers describes how mines, drones, and a narrow strait raise risk and force producers to halt shipments, tightening supply.
Patchwork Moves Failed To Lower Oil Prices
- The White House response to oil-driven price rises included partially easing Russian oil sanctions and tapping limited reserves, but those moves produced little effect.
- Wolfers argues the administration showed no planning: the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was not refilled and small unsanctioning had negligible market impact.