The first and only time I was in Austin was when Apple Computer was my client in the early 90s. It was after Jobs had been fired and the Newton was launched. But they already had a sizeable presence there.
One thing that came of it (Apple’s presence, not my trip) was Apple crushed an initiative that was going to outlaw the provision of ‘partner’ benefits (ie spousal-type benefits for same sex couples back when gay marriage was illegal). It was about to pass and Apple told the governor and legislative leaders that it would shut down its Texas facilities if it became law. “And the rain came down”, as they say.