Houston, we have a podcast. Welcome to the official podcast of the NASA Johnson Space Center,

episode 122, NASA and the Texas Economy. I'm Gary Jordan. I'll be your host today. On this

podcast we bring in the experts, scientists, engineers,

astronauts, leaders, other parts of government all to let you know what's going on in the

world of human spaceflight. Much of human spaceflight happens and is led right here at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Of course, there are centers all over the U.S. all part of the federal agency that is NASA.

Now, even though NASA is a federal agency

there's a lot of good that can occur at the state level

depending on where the agencies are located

now recently the Texas Comptroller's office

the office that sort of runs the finance end of things for the state, tax

collecting, accounting, treasury, writing checks, that sort of thing. They worked with

NASA to publish an economic impact report that shows how NASA influences the Texas economy.

The report highlights employment numbers, gross domestic product, and a lot of stuff that

data junkies will love.

It also highlights the center's effects on education, tourism, and the future

growth of the state. So here to go into more detail on the economics of it all is Texas Comptroller

of Public Accounts, Glen Hager.

Hager was elected as the Comptroller in November 2014.

In his role, he's essentially the chief financial officer for the world's 10th largest economy overseeing the day-to-day

financial operations as well as the larger picture for determining the best structure

for Texas on managing finances for the state and for its citizens.

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