As Texas counties have faced hurdles to curb the rapid growth of data center developments, cities could have more success with banning them through their zoning laws, land experts say.
Paul Bettencourt
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas lawmakers want fixes to statewide voter registration system ahead of midterms
The system has been riddled with problems since it was updated last year. Some lawmakers and election officials want it fixed by November.
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State Government
Texas takes over voter registration in Val Verde County amid struggles
The secretary of state is using a law that was originally written to focus on problems in Harris County.
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Data Centers in Texas
Eight data centers threaten to transform this small Texas county. Local officials say they have no power to stop them.
At least 248 data centers are planned to be built in Texas. Of those, nearly half will be built in unincorporated areas, where county officials are limited in their ability to regulate development, according to a Texas Tribune analysis.
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Graphics and data reporting
Bigger price tag, smaller footprint: How Austin’s Project Connect went off the rails
Legal and political challenges continue to threaten Austin’s multibillion-dollar light rail project that voters approved in 2020.
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State Government
Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom
The 3-2 vote from Hood County commissioners Tuesday came after they received a letter from a state senator saying they did not have the power to issue a moratorium.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas voters said no to property tax hikes this week, as Republican leaders signal more cuts ahead
Even voters in Austin, one of the state’s most liberal cities, shot down a measure to raise property taxes.
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2025 Texas Elections
Voters OK property tax breaks for Texas homeowners, businesses
Tuesday’s vote is part of a push by Texas lawmakers to rein in the state’s high property taxes.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Proposal limiting Texas city, county property taxes dies in the Legislature
The House refused to back a bill that would apply only to the state’s largest cities.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Meet the Californian who pushed Texas lawmakers to help fix the state’s housing crisis
A bipartisan coalition, organized by Nicole Nosek, played a role in getting the Legislature to pass laws tackling the state’s housing affordability woes.
