{"id":2430697,"date":"2025-05-04T11:19:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T15:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-gets-a-new-city-everything-to-know-about-starbase-texas-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-05-04T11:21:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T15:21:19","slug":"texas-gets-a-new-city-everything-to-know-about-starbase-texas-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-gets-a-new-city-everything-to-know-about-starbase-texas-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas gets a new city: Everything to know about Starbase, Texas &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftexas-gets-a-new-city-everything-to-know-about-starbase-texas-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2430697&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>elon Musk&#8217;s SpaceX has officially established a new city called Starbase in Texas, following a vote by local residents on May 3, 2025. The measure to incorporate SpaceX&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senior-hamas-commander-killed-as-israel-strikes-gaza-palestinians-fire-rockets\/\" title=\"Senior Hamas Commander Killed as Israel Strikes Gaza, Palestinians Fire Rockets\">rocket launch site<\/a> into a city was approved by a significant margin, with voters\u2014primarily SpaceX employees\u2014supporting the initiative.This development grants Musk greater control over local governance, urban planning, adn taxation within the approximately 1.5 square mile area.<\/p>\n<p>As a newly designated Type C city, Starbase can impose a property tax of up to 1.5% and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">manage construction projects independently<\/a>, allowing SpaceX to build housing for around 3,000 employees who currently commute from nearby Brownsville. Voters also elected SpaceX executive Bobby Peden as mayor, allowing for enhanced autonomy over local infrastructure and access during rocket launches, potentially affecting nearby beaches and state parks.<\/p>\n<p>The formation of Starbase mirrors ancient trends of company towns, but reflects a current shift towards tech-based industries, with other companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google exploring similar models. This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-data-find-fewer-men-are-enrolling-in-college\/\" title=\"Fewer men are enrolling in college, according to new data\">trend raises questions<\/a> about corporate influence over local governance and community dynamics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Texas gets a new city: Everything to know about Starbase, Texas<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2104275\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Elon Musk&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spacex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">SpaceX <\/a>has a company town in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Texas<\/a> after residents in the area voted to create the new municipality on Saturday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On May 3, voters<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3388595\/starbase-texas-boca-chica-village-elon-musk-spacex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> approved a measure<\/a> that allowed SpaceX to incorporate its South Texas rocket launch site as a new city called Starbase. The voters, mostly SpaceX employees who have moved out to the roughly 1.5 square mile area in Cameron County, approved the small city for Musk&rsquo;s company by 212 votes in favor to 6 against, according to the Cameron County Elections Department.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3400225\/tesla-gigafactory-reportedly-hiring-1000-nevada-employees\/\">Tesla gigafactory reportedly hiring 1,000 Nevada employees<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3399549\/brian-kemp-trump-tariffs-could-be-problematic-if-left\/\">Georgia governor says Trump tariffs &#8216;could be problematic&#8217; if left in place<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3399146\/kelly-loeffler-tour-effingham-college-georgia-brian-kemp-domestic-manufacturing\/\">Kelly Loeffler praises &lsquo;workforce of the future&rsquo; in manufacturing-focused tour<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Starbase, Texas Is now a real city!&rdquo; Musk <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1918834940264784009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">celebrated<\/a> in a post to X.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3315975\/doge-doing-across-federal-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A view of SpaceX Starbase on Saturday, May 3, 2025, near Boca Chica beach, Texas, before an incorporation election that would turn Starbase into an official Texas city. (Miguel Roberts\/The Brownsville Herald via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does this mean for the area and Elon Musk?<\/h2>\n<p>The news gives Musk greater control over the area where Space X launches its rockets, expanding the company&rsquo;s ability to control local planning, taxation, and other issues, such as extending <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/housing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">housing<\/a> and managing road closures during rocket launches. As a city, it could also potentially be handed powers to close a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-consistent-rainfall-prompts-8-million-gallon-sewage-spill-onto-l-a-streets-beaches\/\" title=\"Heavy rain in California leads to 8M gallon sewage spill on L.A. streets and beaches\">nearby beach<\/a> and state park for launches.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, Cameron County denied Space X&rsquo;s request to build more housing for its employees. As a company city, Starbase will now be able to approve construction projects itself, allowing up to approximately 3,000 employees who commute from nearby Brownsville to live where they work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Given its new designation as a Type C city, meaning the municipality must hold fewer than 5,000 people, Starbase will also hold the power to levy a property tax of up to 1.5% on residents, according to the Texas Municipal League.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, voters also approved measures, electing senior SpaceX executive Bobby Peden as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mayors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">mayor<\/a> and creating positions for two Starbase city commissioners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If passed, two bills running through the Texas state legislature would give Peden and his cohort the authority to close a local highway and limit access to the nearby Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park, instead of being required to coordinate through Cameron County for approvals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>During rocket launches and other company activities such as engine tests, access to those locations must be restricted or eliminated altogether. The two companion bills running through the legislature would shift authority over access away from Cameron County to the new city&rsquo;s mayor and city council, even though local officials, including Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr., have opposed such a measure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People protest at Boca Chica beach, Texas, on Saturday afternoon, May 3, 2025, before an incorporation election that would turn Starbase into an official Texas city. (Miguel Roberts\/The Brownsville Herald via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does this mean for other corporations?<\/h2>\n<p>The United States has a long history of company towns. In the late 1880s, Pacific Lumber Co. developed a site in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/California\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">California<\/a> for loggers and mill companies that lasted for over 100 years; in the early 1900s, Milton Hershey formed a company town that helped take his famous chocolate utopia to the masses. Other prominent examples include George Pullman&rsquo;s company town in Chicago that housed an estimated 12,000 railway workers and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, the creation of Starbase highlights the shift away from industrial hubs toward the tech-based industry. And Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX is only one of multiple Big Tech companies in recent years that have looked to expand corporate power through the company-town model.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3400323\/musk-texas-wish-spacex-launch-site-approved-as-new-city-starbase\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">MUSK GETS HIS TEXAS WISH. SPACEX LAUNCH SITE IS APPROVED AS THE NEW CITY OF STARBASE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meta, Amazon, and Google are among other companies looking to set up company towns, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/company-towns-facebook-google-tesla-elon-musk-housing-real-estate-2023-12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according<\/a> to <em>Business Insider<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Faith in democracy is weak, and so you have this view of, &lsquo;We can create an ideal city and ideal world,&#8217;&rdquo; Grant Bollmer, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/research-shows-alarming-numbers-of-americans-are-lonely\/\" title=\"Research Shows \u2018Alarming Numbers Of Americans Are Lonely\u2019\">senior lecturer<\/a> in digital media at the University of Queensland in Australia, said. &ldquo;&lsquo;We can structure it according to the principles that are built into these technologies that we&rsquo;ve created and the values that we&rsquo;ve created.&#8217;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2104275\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2104275\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Texas has a new city: Starbase, created by SpaceX<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2430698,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Starbase.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[54577,4133,53934,3694],"class_list":["post-2430697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-new-city","tag-news","tag-starbase","tag-texas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Starbase.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2430697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2430697"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2430697\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2430701,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2430697\/revisions\/2430701"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2430698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2430697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2430697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2430697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}