'Texans are mad and fed up': Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa on more data centers
Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is criticizing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for his administration's policies on data centers. Hinojosa alleges that Abbott accepted $20 million in campaign donations from data center executives and companies in exchange for billions in tax breaks, and that this has led to an "invasion" of data centers across Texas, particularly in rural areas lacking essential services like paid firefighters and EMS workers. She highlights a growing backlash from "regular Texans" who feel these developments are being imposed without adequate community input or protections, despite the construction jobs they may provide.
The controversy highlights a clash between economic development driven by AI infrastructure and the concerns of local communities regarding essential services, environmental impact, and democratic input in Texas, potentially influencing the state's gubernatorial race and future energy and development policies.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order placing strict conditions on new data center developments.
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