Tagged: local business

A bill that would make Texas the next state to possess a commercial rocket launch pad has been unanimously voted out of the Senate Economic Development Committee.

The bill, authored by Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, facilitates a way for space exploration companies to build and operate in Texas and provides matching funds as an incentive for these companies.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla Motors and creator of commercial space exploration company SpaceX, spoke at the capitol urging lawmakers to approve a set of bills that allow his car company to be able to sell their cars in Texas.

During his time at the capitol, the billionaire car maker also met with Gov. Rick Perry about the issue.

The Brooks Development Authority board voted to enter into contract negotiations for its next chief executive officer, but leaders are not ready to divulge his or her identity.

Manny Pelaez, chairman of the Brooks Development Authority, said the board interviewed 402 viable candidates out of the 6,000 applicants.

Last week the field of applicants for the next CEO of Brooks was narrowed to only five, and Wednesday the board chose one to take Brooks into the future.

This is the sixth gambling bill that Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, has authored in the last decade and he is hoping for the passage of a constitutional amendment that allows Texas voters to decide on the issue of legalized gambling.