Some lawmakers describe the relationship with Tesla as the most difficult they’ve ever had to navigate. Hidden in the shadows, Tesla seems reluctant to present itself in a public forum. Rewind to April 2013, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, stood at a lectern, pleading to a small committee inside the basement of the Texas Capitol. Musk made a plea to alter state legislation that would permit him to skirt the influential car dealership union and make his electric automobiles directly available for purchase by the public.
Fast forward more than ten years, and Musk’s interactions with the Texas Capitol are a stark contrast. Musk’s requests have been granted in full. Remarkably, in a Capitol where most proposals fail to be ratified, almost all of Musk’s public policies will soon be binding law.
Detractors argue these new statutes will endow Musk’s enterprises with more financial power, greater authority, and increased shelter from examination as his influence across Texas continues to surge. All of his ventures, such as the tunnel construction company The Boring Company and Tesla, claim Texas as their home base.
While Tesla’s primary office remains in California, SpaceX has made Texas their central hub for manufacturing, quality checking and rocket launching. Concurrently, Musk has made personal housing arrangements in the state, supposedly acquiring several properties in Austin and southern Texas.
In Texas political circles, Musk’s influence may be quiet but it is palpable. The state, known for its larger-than-life personalities, has been captivated by the unique spectacle of Musk, opines Rice University political scientist Mark Jones. Jones boldly assesses Elon Musk as potentially being the country’s most dominant and impactful non-governmental individual.
Everything is intended to provide assistance to Elon, as more legislative decisions have been made to cater to spaceports, like the ones used by SpaceX for spacecraft launch. Texas hosts a number of spaceports, including one from Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, yet SpaceX remains unmatched in terms of size and extends its influence across the state and nation.
SpaceX has secured massive federal contracts, and its satellite operations are growing robustly. Notably, two new pieces of legislation were also passed. These laws have been designed to protect companies such as SpaceX from public scrutiny and legal proceedings.
Moriba Jah, an aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics professor at the University of Texas at Austin, voices some apprehension. He suggests that Texas may be overly accommodating to Musk’s demands.
Musk wasn’t the only one who was instrumental in the passing of certain legislation. He also subtly swayed the introduction of new laws where he abstained from publically expressing any preference. Legislators in Texas developed a state-specific DOGE office, situated under the governor.
Musk didn’t take a publicly recognizable role in the establishment of this new agency. However, during the bill’s signing, Governor Greg Abbott alluded to Musk’s inspiration behind its creation.
Texas law markers also recomposed the state’s business laws following Musk’s concerns about other state’s business regulations. Musk has consistently made his dissatisfaction with certain state’s protections for CEOs and other business leaders known.
The post Elon Musk’s Growing Influence in Texas Legislature: A Decade in Review appeared first on Real News Now.
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