He's collaborated with Northern Telecom, bringing different town officials together to discuss their common high-tech needs.

FORBES: Local heroes

Jeff Landy of the Information Technology Association thinks there's simply wider acceptance now that the high-tech industry needs these workers.

NPR: Critics: High-Tech Visas Cheat U.S. Workers

One is external to the state: the global economy has become a much more knowledge-intensive place, with even the oil business turning into a high-tech industry, so Texas needs more and better universities and schools.

ECONOMIST: Lone Star rising