Apr. 12, 2002

Gov. Perry Calls On Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission To Prepare State For Next Round of Base Closures

AUSTIN - Governor Rick Perry today directed the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission to begin working with communities statewide in response to passage of the FY2002 defense authorization bill in Washington D.C. The $343 billion defense bill calls for additional military base closures nationwide.

The commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16th, in Room 220F at the Texas Department of Economic Development, 1700 N. Congress, in Austin.

"Texas is home to 17 major military installations that are not only critical to national defense, but also play a vital role in the economies of 45 Texas communities," Perry said. "To secure an even stronger defense role for Texas, the commission must work to position our state military base communities as locations ready to take on additional military operations and personnel."

In preparation for the next round of military base closures in 2005, Perry called on the commission to:

Reassess Texas-based military missions, requirements and needs;
Identify new opportunities where the state can assist communities and military bases in resolving regulatory and other government-related issues facing our military bases;
Visit affected communities to determine specific strategies to secure the long-term future of each Texas military base; and
Coordinate with community leaders in developing recommendations for the governor and legislature to review and consider during the next legislative session.

Created in 1995, the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission was moved into the Governor's Office during the last legislative session. The commission is responsible for advising the governor on the effect of the military on Texas' economy, particularly the impact of federally proposed base closures.

Texas currently ranks third nationally (behind California and Virginia) in the total number of active and civilian personnel. As of January, 228,790 military personnel were located in Texas - including 107,532 active military personnel, 38,455 direct hire civilians and 82,803 Reserve and National Guard members.