WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:06.000 Today's episode of the trib Cast is sponsored by Texas 2 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:10.800 State Technical College. 3 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:13.480 Welcome to the trib Cast. 4 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.039 I'm Eleanor Klibanoff, women's health reporter, joined by editor in 5 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:19.079 chief and co host Matthew Watkins. 6 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:21.120 Hello, fresh off his spring. 7 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:22.000 Break trip, that's right. 8 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.480 I have budgeted ten to fifteen minutes for your review 9 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:29.879 of Lego Land, So thoughts, I want. 10 00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:31.920 To go big picture first, because we were in Lego 11 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:34.240 Land in San Diego and then we went up to. 12 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:38.479 The Bay Area for a few days too. 13 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:42.520 And you know, as a Texan, it is my duty 14 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:47.880 and responsibility to view California as a failed state, a wasteland. 15 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:51.399 But damn it, it's beautiful. Were there. 16 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:54.399 Wait, you're telling me that's. 17 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:55.960 Really beautiful, really pretty. 18 00:00:56.240 --> 00:00:59.439 The suburbs of Dallas and the Yeah. 19 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:05.480 Yeah, I've visited to National Park sites, Mirror Woods and Alcatraz. 20 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:10.519 Happy to report that things seemed fully under control. There's 21 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:14.599 been a lot of talk about like parks, people losing 22 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:17.719 their jobs and everything. The the trash cans were still 23 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:21.120 being empty, that the everything was working there, Prisoners were 24 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:26.359 still no prisoners there anymore. There was a very there 25 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:29.640 was a at the end of the Alcatraz tour, there 26 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:34.200 was this big mass incarceration exhibit in which the sort 27 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:38.799 of thesis was like, the US imprisons way more people 28 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:41.640 than it should and this is a problem and it 29 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:47.280 and it's it's disroportionately affecting black and Hispanic people and 30 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:51.040 everything like that. I did wonder, like how long that 31 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:52.439 will still be there? 32 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:56.920 My face, Some exhibits out over time, but I will. 33 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:02.719 Say just overall, Yeah, you know California. I actually talk 34 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:06.239 to a lot of people uber drivers and waiters and 35 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:09.240 such in there who when they learned from Austin, they 36 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:10.840 were like, all my friends are moving there. 37 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:15.400 So that did check out, but it is still very pretty. 38 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:15.919 Yeah. 39 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:18.159 I don't get the sense people are leaving California because 40 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:23.639 it's horrible to look at. Yeah, because again they probably 41 00:02:23.639 --> 00:02:26.400 would not be moving to the you know, areas where 42 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:26.800 they are. 43 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.280 But yeah, Austin too, Austin. 44 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:33.240 Every part of Texas has its charms. 45 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:37.800 Well, we are very excited to have you back and 46 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:41.360 extremely excited for this week's episode. This is a topic 47 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:43.919 we've been looking forward to discussing for a while on 48 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:47.360 the trim cast, where we are going to travel to 49 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:51.479 a galaxy far far away and discuss the space industry 50 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:52.240 in Texas. 51 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:55.719 Today is Space Day at the Texas Legislature. 52 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:59.439 As Glenn has informed us, We're going to talk about 53 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.719 the modern space race, you know, why so much of 54 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:05.159 this activity is centered in Texas, what the aeronautics industry 55 00:03:05.240 --> 00:03:08.000 wants from the legislature this session, and to walk us 56 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:10.280 through all of this. We're joined by Glenn Hammer, the 57 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:13.159 President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. 58 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:14.680 Glenn, thanks for joining us. 59 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:15.360 Great to be on. 60 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:18.199 Glad to have you. Matthew, you also have a space 61 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:18.960 related day. 62 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.599 Yeah, well, I was just saying that it's also opening 63 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:25.879 day this week for the Astros, you know, famed sports team. 64 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:30.120 I was tried to find my plastic Astros space helmet 65 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:33.240 to wear, but it's somewhere in the attic or something. 66 00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:33.879 You can't find it. 67 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:36.080 Well, we do like costumes on this podcast as much 68 00:03:36.080 --> 00:03:36.560 as possible. 69 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.879 I appreciate the effort, you know, Before we get into 70 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:43.240 the space thing, I do have to ask you. 71 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:43.599 Glenn. 72 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:47.800 Your bio on the Texas Association of Business website says 73 00:03:47.800 --> 00:03:50.240 you've made it your mission to visit more local chambers 74 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:52.840 of commerce than anyone else on the planet and I 75 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:54.240 have to know how many you've been. 76 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:58.560 To God at this point in the four years I've 77 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:02.319 been here, I've got imagine it's it's over one hundred 78 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:06.199 across the state and easily over that number one you 79 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:08.919 count all the chambers that come to Austin during the 80 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.639 legislative session and then we host at at our office. 81 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:16.480 But now my new mission, given that this is space Day, 82 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:20.199 will be the first Chamber executive to visit Marsh. 83 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:22.920 Amazing that Mars have a Chamber of Commerce yet. 84 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:25.879 Not yet, although a friend of mine who runs the 85 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:29.160 Texas Venture Alliance, she's set up the Mars Venture Alliance. 86 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.279 That's CS Freeland, which is a really cool shirt. So 87 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:34.600 we're going to set up a chamber and a venture 88 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:36.639 group in Mars as soon as we. 89 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:37.120 Can get there. 90 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.160 Something tells me if Texas is involved, like step one, 91 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:42.959 you know, live, let's establish life can live there. 92 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:44.399 Step two, chamber of Commerce. 93 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:46.759 I think that's about the right order. 94 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:47.600 Yeah, that's our order. 95 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:50.920 Yes, yeah, well, you know, before we get into the 96 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.480 modern space race. You know, Texas has played such a 97 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:56.920 huge role in the history of space exploration in the 98 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.279 United States. I am am as I received in angry 99 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:02.079 emails all the time. 100 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:05.800 I'm not a native Texan, but you know, I think. 101 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.759 Those are from me, from Matthew. 102 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:10.759 It's my performance review every year. But no, I think 103 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:13.120 like even for people who are not from Texas, like 104 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:16.720 there is this association with Texas and Space Houston. 105 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:19.800 We have a problem. Of course, somewhat famously. 106 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:25.199 Not allowed as a lead in texts tribute stories for 107 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:26.040 the record. 108 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:30.720 Yet Matthew's reign has been bumpy so far as editor 109 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:34.160 in chief. You know, in nineteen sixty two, when John F. 110 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:35.920 Kennedy announced that the US would try to go to 111 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:39.319 the moon, he addressed the nation from Rice University and said, 112 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:41.240 we choose to go to the moon in this decade 113 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:43.680 and do the other things not because they are easy, 114 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:45.319 but because they are hard. 115 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:47.720 He said, why go to the moon? Why does Rice 116 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:50.319 play Texas and football? That was his famous line. 117 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:53.399 Why does Rice play Texas? Oh, play Texas and football? 118 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:53.680 Yeah? 119 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:55.040 Because it's hard, Because it's hard. 120 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:55.759 Yeah, there you go. 121 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:56.720 It's a great line. 122 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:01.040 Flash forward to today, Governor Greg It a little bit 123 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:04.120 less pithy but still good, has said Texas is the 124 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:08.399 launchpad for Mars, innovating the technology that will colonize humanity's 125 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:09.519 first new planet. 126 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:11.279 Good big. 127 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:14.519 It's incacurring to me too that we no longer go 128 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:17.079 to the moon and Rice no longer plays Texas and football, 129 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:18.439 so maybe there's a connection there. 130 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:21.399 Yeah, it's a new era for both. Yeah, I mean, 131 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:23.480 this is a huge economy, Glenn. They're estimated it will 132 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:27.240 be by some estimates, one trillion dollar industry by twenty forty. 133 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:30.040 Talks about space in Texas. 134 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:33.399 Well, you you mentioned just the rich history with President 135 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:36.600 Kennedy and then and then President Johnson obviously you know, 136 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:41.480 one of the all time Hall of Fame Texas political leader. 137 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:45.600 So we've had that rich history. You know, Texas is 138 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.639 a frontier state, and if you think about it, you 139 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:52.160 said galaxy far, far and away, that might identify you 140 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:57.279 as a Star Wars fan. The next frontier, the final frontier, 141 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:00.800 is space. And right now we're at this moment where 142 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:05.319 I would argue AI and some of the other technological 143 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:13.040 developments are making some really bold human aspirations possible. And 144 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:18.600 what's also happened is NASA obviously has a very storied, 145 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:23.680 impressive history, but the private sector now has jumped in 146 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:28.079 and that's obviously SpaceX, but it's beyond SpaceX. You have Firefly, 147 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:31.240 you have Blue Origin, you have Axiom, you have a 148 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:33.959 number of different companies that are that are doing things 149 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:36.879 that maybe thirty or forty years ago we would have 150 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:40.839 just sort of assumed that the federal government would do 151 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:44.680 with some help from contractors. But now these are true 152 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:48.240 public private partnerships, and I would argue as a result, 153 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:54.240 the space economy is flourishing and as you said, is 154 00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:56.959 projected a hit a trillion dollars and. 155 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.000 Texas, I mean it's playing a huge, like front row 156 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:01.879 role in this well. 157 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:03.839 And we also discussed, you know, the fact that we 158 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.040 have the you know, so this is part of my spiel. 159 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.079 You know, we've added more jobs in any other state, 160 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:11.319 so we've got the best economy in the country. But 161 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:14.240 now we're a two point five trillion dollar economy and 162 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:16.120 by the end of the year we'll probably pass France 163 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:18.839 and be in the G seven, so arguably the strongest 164 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.920 economy in the world. But now that SpaceX is headquartered 165 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.800 in the state of Texas, we can say we have 166 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:27.120 the strongest economy in the galaxy and because of that, 167 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:27.680 or you. 168 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:30.120 Can well I can't. I'm going to say it until 169 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:30.959 I'm checked on that. 170 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:33.080 No one else other things not going in leads in 171 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:33.639 the Texas. 172 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:38.159 There have been no Martians that have correct a challenge. 173 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.639 But because of that, we have a twenty three twenty 174 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:43.919 four billion dollar surplus and it allows us to invest 175 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.879 in key things. And we're investing in infrastructure and water 176 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:51.879 and electricity and teleg and broadband and stuff like that. 177 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:56.159 But we're also able to do massive investments in semiconductors 178 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.919 and space. And I want to give a Chairman Bonda 179 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:05.320 a ton of credit and Chairwoman Huffman for their vision 180 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:09.960 and really pushing the state with Governor Abbott to allocate 181 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:13.440 three hundred and fifty million dollars for the Texas Space Commission, 182 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:17.440 which you now Norman Garza is running expertly, and we 183 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:20.240 have something like two billion dollars worth of pent up 184 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:23.919 potential commercial projects as a result. 185 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.120 Of that effort. 186 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:28.039 So Texas is clearly leading in space and I don't 187 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:30.399 believe any other state is even coming close to us 188 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:34.200 in terms of investing state resources in this sector. 189 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:37.559 Can you give us just a quick kind of audio 190 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:40.039 tour of the space industry in Texas, Like, what are 191 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:43.360 we talking about when we say that that it's growing 192 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:44.120 and popping up here? 193 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:44.559 Yeah. 194 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:47.519 So, I mean you have to start with with SpaceX. 195 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.759 I mean the fact that you have eighty five percent 196 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:54.320 of I believe the commercial tonnage that winds up in 197 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:58.120 space is coming from a SpaceX vehicle. I mean we're 198 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:03.120 talking globally. I mean SpaceX is it's it's the eight 199 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:05.919 hundred pound times ten Gorilla. 200 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:09.720 Owned by Elon Musk and launching in South Texas, launching 201 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:10.639 in rockets in South. 202 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:13.200 And South Texas, and and I think also in Florida, 203 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:16.360 but South Texas being being the center and building these 204 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:21.039 incredible engines, and Gregor Texas and then the you know Starlink, 205 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:25.159 which is part of SpaceX, ramping up production in bass Drop. 206 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:27.600 So it's really been benefiting you know, a big, big 207 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:31.399 parts of of the state. But then you have you know, great, 208 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:35.559 great companies like Firefly that you know, became the first 209 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:40.360 commercial company to land on on the moon right here 210 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:43.200 in Texas as well. And I would say it's you know, 211 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:48.679 it's it's it's a result of the history of Texas 212 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:51.240 with you know, you mentioned the Astros. I was born 213 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:53.039 in the Bronx, so you can there may be a 214 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:54.320 little bit of bad feelings here. 215 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:55.679 You talk about the rockets, you know. 216 00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:00.120 But Houston has been has been space town. So you 217 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:04.279 do have this rich history of all sorts of different 218 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:09.120 space companies being located in Houston and across Texas. And 219 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:11.399 I also say on the education side, I mean, take 220 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:13.639 a look at what Texas A and M is doing 221 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:17.960 as well on space, setting up its own space center 222 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:22.720 which is run by a former astronaut, and I believe 223 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:25.080 maybe being one of the first, if not the first 224 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:28.840 universities to offer some sort of space engineering degree. 225 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.240 Oh yeah, I saw it's called. 226 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:33.240 Like extraterrestrial engineering, and I was like, that is absolutely 227 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:34.720 the kind of class I would have signed up for 228 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:36.200 as a freshman, just thinking like. 229 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.440 That sounds cool. 230 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:39.240 Yeah, and then realize and then you're like, this was 231 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.200 a mistique. 232 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:43.720 So what have I if I didn't stop my math 233 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:46.080 and science learning in high school? 234 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.639 Yes, big same Yeah. 235 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:51.960 But so you know, you have the academic institutions and 236 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:56.559 of course Rice University as well, you have the history, 237 00:11:56.759 --> 00:12:00.240 You have these private sector companies all over this date 238 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:03.279 that are getting involved in space, and then I think 239 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:08.600 you just have the business community understanding and rallying behind 240 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:11.679 this vision. And I'll also say you have other companies like 241 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:15.559 Boeing that are very active here. They've been investing in 242 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:20.840 a major air mobility company that to me feels like 243 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.519 what the Jetsons were all about. 244 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:25.080 A lot of this feels like that. Yeah, right, Like 245 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.919 you're talking about the future in so many ways. 246 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:29.240 And I'll also say another really important point and an 247 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:33.600 exciting part for the state is you have our junior senator, 248 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:38.679 Senator Ted Cruz, who now chairs the Senate Commerce and 249 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:39.519 Science Committee. 250 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.679 Why is that important? 251 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:44.120 Well, that committee is jurisdiction over forty percent of the economy, 252 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:51.279 including space, including semiconductors, including AI, and he is very 253 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:57.120 active in making sure that the interests of Texas are 254 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:02.000 respected in DC. And I think he's also sees the 255 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:07.559 incredible potential economically for the state if if Texas leads 256 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:08.039 in space. 257 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:11.480 Yeah, it's interesting that the kind of history of Texas 258 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:14.480 being a leader in space going back decades. A lot 259 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:18.600 of that is due to the power that Texas politicians 260 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:20.879 had back in the middle of the century. You know, 261 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:23.480 you're talking about your Sam ray Burns, your LBJs and 262 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:26.960 things like that. Interesting to see Ted Kruz now starting. 263 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.279 Into those shoes. 264 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:27.600 Yeah. 265 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:30.080 Yeah, and you know with Cruise and I should have 266 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:32.480 said just to because you asked a great question. You know, 267 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:36.360 right now, the space industry is about eleven billion in 268 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:40.399 annual GDP for Texas, and if you include the broader 269 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:43.799 aerospace ecosystem, it's about one hundred and thirty five thousand jobs. 270 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:46.000 So it's a lot of it's it's it's a lot 271 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:48.399 of jobs. But you know I wanted to say also 272 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:51.960 about Center Cruz is is that he has been working 273 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:56.720 across the aisle on some important efforts that are connected 274 00:13:56.720 --> 00:14:00.639 to space, like, for example, on semiconductors to make easier 275 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:05.360 to actually cite these plants. He worked across the aisle 276 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.960 with Senator Mark Kelly, an astronaut and a US Senator 277 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.519 from Arizona. 278 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.600 To achieve that. 279 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:16.240 So on these economic areas, Center Cruz has been doing 280 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:18.440 a very good job working across the aisle because at 281 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.639 the end of the day, and it's still the case, 282 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:23.080 to get most things through the US Senate, you need 283 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:26.399 sixty votes, which means you need bipartisan support. 284 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:28.840 Well, and I mean speaking of bipartisan support, I mean 285 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:31.279 last session a little closer to home here in Texas, 286 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:34.440 the legislature passed a pretty big space bill with like 287 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:38.960 almost unheard of scale of support from both parties. I 288 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:44.039 mean really almost unanimous agreement on this, which is shocking 289 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:46.200 these days. Talk a little bit about it was HB 290 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:49.519 thirty four to forty seven, you know, a big, a 291 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:52.120 big bill for creating the Space Commission, among other things. 292 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:55.799 Well, three hundred and fifty million dollars over two years. 293 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:57.559 And as I was saying, I mean, there's been at 294 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:01.879 least two billion dollars worth of commercial interests, So meaning 295 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:04.600 there it's they're just simply not able to fund all 296 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:10.399 the projects and probably all the worthwhile uh efforts. And 297 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.600 you know, and and I and I think what that 298 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:16.080 goes to show is that and you know, for any chamber, 299 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:19.799 we like public private partnerships. You know, it's it's useful 300 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:23.720 when the when the government is is leveraging its resources 301 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:27.919 with private sector. It's not just giving a grant and 302 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.960 saying we hope for the best. It's it's basically asking 303 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:35.519 that private sector company to make you know, massive contributions. 304 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:37.360 But but one of the things I did want to 305 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.559 reach on that, I think as we look forward to 306 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:41.679 making sure the Texas leads in space, yes, we have 307 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:44.879 to make sure that the Texas Space Commission has resources 308 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:47.840 and perhaps more resources, but we also need to make 309 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:51.879 sure that other UH state initiatives are aligned. For example, 310 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:55.120 UH this session, we're pushing very hard to make sure 311 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:57.840 that an R and D tax credit that's been around 312 00:15:57.879 --> 00:16:00.200 in Texas for a while but would expire at the 313 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:03.480 end of next year is extended because we need to 314 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:07.600 make sure that for these companies that are innovating, they 315 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:12.039 have we have a competitive policy ecosystem in the state 316 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:16.639 of Texas. We're also supporting different initiatives that would match 317 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:25.080 federal SBA funding for smaller entrepreneurial companies that are investing 318 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:30.240 in technology. So you know, we're taking a holistic approach 319 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.919 at the Texas Association of Business to make sure that 320 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:37.399 we have a policy environment that will will put the 321 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.960 state on top in space. 322 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:42.240 But it's it is, it's a variety of different factors. 323 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:44.559 Right, I mean, you talked about this a little bit 324 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.440 with the universities, but also like what do we need 325 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:49.559 in terms of workforce for space. 326 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:53.720 Well, that's a very important question because it's very important 327 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:57.480 that our Tier one universities and you know, by some metrics, 328 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:00.639 we have more Tier one research universities than any other 329 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:04.079 state and I'll just say what's going on at U T, Austin, Texas, 330 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:07.440 A and M and the engineering side is sensational. I 331 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.400 don't think there's a better one to two punch on 332 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:13.880 public schools in the country than those two schools in 333 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:17.599 terms of the equality of engineers that they're supplying. But 334 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:20.599 we also need to make sure that our community colleges 335 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:26.000 are producing the workers to handle a lot of the 336 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:30.759 skilled trades necessary for the space economy, and that includes 337 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.480 things like. 338 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.440 Machinists and. 339 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.240 You know. 340 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:39.440 In fact, what was interesting when the federal CHIPS bill 341 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:42.839 was signed, the big press conference of Texas leaders who 342 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:47.000 who had pushed for that Senator Cornyn and Chairman Mike 343 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:50.240 McCall was held at Austin Community College. So one of 344 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.359 the things we're going to also push for is a 345 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:55.920 continuation of HB eight, that was the community college effort 346 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:58.440 to put another six hundred and fifty million dollars of 347 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:01.839 new funding into our community colleges for credentials of value. 348 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:04.039 And I'm going to even go one step beyond that 349 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:07.319 is making sure that dual enrollment in high schools, that 350 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:11.400 our high schools are really geared towards these professions, where 351 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.480 if kids get into them, students get into them. They 352 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:18.119 could earn fifty sixty seventy thousand right after graduating from 353 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:24.440 high school with the right educational set of courses in 354 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.559 high school. 355 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.079 Yeah, I mean that's amazing. 356 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:28.559 I mean it's like really not like you can't just 357 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:30.680 put money in space and say like that's going to 358 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.119 be enough. 359 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:34.759 Absolutely, I mean you have to have I think the 360 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:40.160 community college effort, the career and technical education programs and 361 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.480 a lot of the Texas high schools are very important. 362 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:46.079 And then to make sure that students understand these great 363 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:49.680 options that are out there. And I'm going to point 364 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:53.759 out my friend, one of another great Texan, Roy Spence. 365 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:56.599 He's the guy that came up with don't mess with Texas. 366 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:59.440 By the way, when I came outside of Texas, that 367 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.559 to me met something else I had no idea was 368 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.759 a littering campaign. 369 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.000 Oh yes, yeah. 370 00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:06.279 But he's also done great work for Whole Foods and 371 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:10.880 Southwest Airlines, great Texas companies. But Roy's point is that, 372 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:13.640 and he's started something called the make It Movement, is 373 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:15.799 that you have a lot of students in junior high 374 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:18.960 school and high school that don't really know all of 375 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:21.799 these great options that are in front of them if 376 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:25.799 they could get the right technical education. So that's a 377 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:28.119 program that's been getting a lot of support and it's 378 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:31.039 something we support because we want students in our junior 379 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:35.039 and Texas high schools to understand, you get the right skills, 380 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:39.359 you're going to have opportunities in these emerging areas like space. 381 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.359 Right. Great, well, it's actually very good timing. 382 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:44.359 We're gonna take a quick break and thank our sponsor, 383 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:48.839 Texas State Technical College. At Texas State Technical College, we 384 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:51.839 don't just train students, we provide Texas with the next 385 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:58.160 generation of skilled workers. T TSTC Better for Texas. Learn 386 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:00.720 more at TSTC dot ed U. 387 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.720 Uh good timing. 388 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.200 Uh. 389 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:06.119 That was expanse of TSTC as well. 390 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:10.000 You know, we can't really talk about space, and we've 391 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.640 already sort of touched on this a little bit, but 392 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.000 without talking. 393 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.920 About the man of the moment. 394 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:18.359 Elon Musk Glenn, I know you've been down in the 395 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:21.839 valley some talking with the leaders, and you know Brownsville 396 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:24.359 being a real center point. They're calling it the gateway 397 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:27.359 to Mars. You know, what are you hearing from business 398 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:29.559 leaders and folks in the valley about SpaceX. 399 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:32.519 Oh, my god, incredible excitement. I was just in uh 400 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:37.440 uh Monterey, Mexico at a big tech event UH that 401 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:40.759