BUSINESS to BUSINESS www.bayareahouston.com BAHEP extends its sincere appreciation for the continued support of THE DAILY NEWS through this monthly supplement. March 2019 BAHEP facilitates Sen. Cornyn’s roundtable discussion regarding importance of extending funding for ISS to 2030

As with all companies in the extension will help as- organized by Bob Mitchell, the private sector, NASA’s sure America’s international president of the Bay Area programs depend on a partners, as well as com- Houston Economic Part- steady cash flow. For the mercial partners, of the nership, who also facilitated nation’s space agency, continued viability of the the discussion. however, its funding ISS past 2024. In support Roundtable participants comes through Congress. of this, he held a roundtable included Mark Mulqueen, The amount budgeted is discussion on Feb. 22, 2019, ISS Program Manager, The not always consistent and at Space Center Houston to Boeing Company; Greg is subject to abrupt with- hear from leaders in the Stonesifer, EVA Program holding as seen in the lat- aerospace industry as to Director / General Man- est government shutdown. how such legislation would ager, Collins Aerospace Texas Sen. John Cornyn help them to continue their Systems; Vernon McDon- By request of Sen. John Cornyn (far right), BAHEP President Bob Mitchell wants to extend the au- roles in the mission of the ald, Senior Vice President (second from right) organized a roundtable discussion at Space Center thorization for the opera- ISS, which brings great Government Services, Houston to discuss the importance of extending the funding for the Interna- tion of the International value in terms of research KBRwyle; Alessandro Grat- tional Space Station to 2030. Also shown are Vernon McDonald, Senior Vice Space Station from 2024 and discoveries to the na- toni, Ph.D., professor of President Government Services, KBRwyle (far left), and Jeffrey Manber, to 2030. He believes that tion. The roundtable was Nanomedicine, Institute for CEO, NanoRacks.

Academic Medicine at Dragon and Boeing’s Star- beyond low earth orbit, and Houston Methodist Re- liner capsules begin ‘taxi’ establish the goal of perma- search Institute; Robert flights to the ISS. Seats on nent human presence be- McAfoos, President, Bar- those spacecraft are ex- yond Earth as national rios Technology; and Jeffrey pected to cost about $58 policy. Manber, CEO, NanoRacks. million.” According to an article Mulqueen said that Boe- Following the roundtable posted on the senator’s ing and SpaceX are on the discussion, William Harris, website, Sen. Cornyn said, cusp of having commercial President and CEO of “The only way to continue spacecraft ready to fly. Space Center Houston, learning about the universe Since NASA ended its took Sen. Cornyn on a tour around us is to aim high Space Shuttle Program in of the ISS exhibit. and dream big. I’m grateful 2011, NASA has relied on for the continued work of the Russian Soyuz space- Cornyn, Peters and input from Houston’s craft to get astronauts to the introduce Advancing space community as we ISS. According to an article Human Spaceflight Act drafted this bill, which sets dated Oct. 15, 2018, by On Feb. 27, 2019, U.S. the stage for a new era of Jason Davis of NBC News Senators John Cornyn (R- space exploration and to MACH, “Russia has been TX) and Gary Peters (D- reassert American leader- Roundtable participants were (l to r): Vernon McDonald, Senior Vice Presi- steadily raising the price of MI) introduced the Advanc- ship in space discovery.” dent Government Services, KBRwyle; Alessandro Grattoni, Ph.D., professor Soyuz seats, reaching $82 ing Human Spaceflight Act, To learn more about the of Nanomedicine, Institute for Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist Re- million each in 2015. The which would extend the contents of the proposed search Institute; Mark Mulqueen, ISS Program Manager, The Boeing Com- agency last purchased Soyuz International Space Station act, visit https:// pany; Greg Stonesifer, EVA Program Director / General Manager, Collins seats for $75 million apiece through 2030, direct NASA www.cornyn.senate.gov/ Aerospace Systems; Sen. John Cornyn; Bob Mitchell, President, Bay Area in 2017. NASA hopes to to develop a next- content/news/new-cornyn Houston Economic Partnership; Robert McAfoos, President, Barrios Tech- end its reliance on Russia in generation spacesuit to en- -peters-bill-will-usher-new- nology; and Jeffrey Manber, CEO, NanoRacks. 2019, when SpaceX’s Crew able human exploration era-space-exploration.

Bay Area Houston mayors take message to Austin

Unprecedented is a nership in an unprece- five teams. Those teams word that is used fre- dented initiative in the 42- held meetings with over 30 quently but not always year history of the organiza- different legislators and accurately. The dictionary tion to deliver a unified their staffs throughout the says that unprecedented message on behalf of Bay day. Among others, they means never done or Area Houston’s cities. met with members of the known before. That’s a The group was com- following committees: Sen- pretty big deal. On Feb. posed of Mayor Michel ate Select Committee on 27, 2019, a Bay Area Bechtel, City of Morgan’s Property Tax Reform, Sen- Houston group of mayors, Point; Mayor Mark Den- ate Finance Committee, a council member, a man, City of Nassau Bay; House Appropriations, county commissioner, and Mayor Mike Foreman, City Senate Committee on Natu- presidents of two compa- of Friendswood; Mayor ral Resources and Eco- nies gathered in Austin to Carl Joiner, City of Kemah; nomic Development, and present its legislative Mayor Thom Kolupski, the House Committee on agenda to members of City of Seabrook; Mayor Insurance. Texas’ 86th Legislature. Louis Rigby, City of La There were three key The mayoral trip was Porte; Mayor Julie Masters elements of the message the organized by the Bay Area and Rev. William King, group took to Austin. First, In mid-November 2018, Bay Area Houston mayors met with Russ Poppe, Houston Economic Part- council member, City of the mayors supported legis- P.E., Executive Director, Harris County Flood Control District, and members Dickinson; Galveston lation that would assist of his staff as part of their preparation for meetings with members of the County Commissioner Ken Texas’ citizens’ preparation Texas 86th Legislature in February 2019. Clark; BAHEP President for and response to natural BUSINESS to Bob Mitchell; and Glenn disasters. Second, Bay Area BUSINESS is a monthly Freedman, Ph.D., president, Houston’s cities support government. Third, regional storm surge suppression • Supporting legislation that Bay Area Houston EduSafe Systems, Inc., and legislation that respects the infrastructure issues were system along the Gulf promotes local and state Economic Partnership group facilitator. integrity of local govern- addressed – from the need Coast. incentives for economic publication in partnership In order to meet with as ment, which is closer to the for evacuation routes, such Importantly, the delega- development; with THE DAILY many legislators as possible, citizens and more account- as completion of the Grand tion’s message aligned with • Opposing legislation NEWS. BAHEP is a the group divided itself into able than state and federal Parkway, to support for a other Texas municipalities, that would impose new member-driven organiza- but the weight of having a property tax exemptions tion that provides the delegation united in support that substantially erode the leadership to stimulate of their communities made tax base and support legis- regional economic devel- an impact. lation that would allow opment and employment During the course of the local decision-making for in southeastern Texas. Its day’s meetings, other issues homestead exemptions members include more arose. Specifically, selected within a defined lower and than 265 business partners legislative recommendations upper limit range of 5% – encompassing 13 cities, included: 30%; Galveston and • Supporting legislation that Harris counties, the Hous- • Opposing state man- allows municipalities to ton Airport System, and dated revenue caps on reclaim as taxable assets Port Houston. municipalities. previously condemned For membership informa- BAHEP formed a May- properties after appropriate tion, contact Membership ors’ Roundtable, which remedial processes have Director Harriet Pilgrim convened for a number of been completed; at 832.536.3250. meetings throughout 2018, • Holding municipalities to enable mayors from Bay Area Houston harmless for costs of dis- Harris and Galveston coun- Economic Partnership placing citizens through ties to discuss issues that 18045 Saturn Lane proper eminent domain or the cities have in common Houston, TX 77058 code enforcement actions; that needed to be addressed 832.536.3255 • Supporting a locally- during the current legisla- Galveston County Day was held March 6, 2019, in Austin, and BAHEP Presi- driven State Water Plan tive session. The mayors dent Bob Mitchell participated in a number of meetings with state legislators. “Like” us on Facebook: that promotes conservation will continue to meet in Shown above (l to r) are: Scott D. Livingston, Director of Economic Develop- BayAreaHoustonEcon and outlines infrastructure 2019 to discuss regional Follow us on ment, City of League City; Robert J. Griffon, council member, City of Friends- improvements, while bal- challenges and ways to Twitter: @BAHEP wood; Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr., of Fort Worth; Larry Millican, council mem- ancing public need, prop- enhance the quality of life ber, City of League City; and Mitchell. erty rights, and water rights; in their communities.