The Governor should call an emergency special session: 2027 is too late on data center reform
- LIV Team
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Bastrop County is one of several "ground zero" Texas communities suffering from an invasion by AI data centers and industrial projects that have -- so far -- refused to refrain from tax refunds and abatements, not to mention following the spirit and intent of open government laws. (More soon on this latter topic.)
As you may know, LIV just got run over by Elon Musk lobbyists' Mack Trucks when the oh-too-willing Bastrop Commissioners Court pulled the trigger on sponsoring SpaceX for state subsidies. No one we know believes SpaceX or Musk needs a subsidy unless they live on Planet Mars.
On Wednesday, June 10th, Governor Greg Abbott's big announcement calling for "sweeping data center regulation, including eliminating sales tax exemptions" (Texas Tribune) for the industry, signals he's hearing it from Texans. This is especially true for rural Texans who feel as helpless as the State keeps their counties.
Governor Abbott has at least tasked the PUCT (Public Utility Commission of Texas) and ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) to require data centers to ensure residential taxpayers aren’t burdened by electric infrastructure costs and that data center interconnections will result in reduced residential electric bills. He directs them to act on that directive within their existing authority by July 27, and then tell him what they need in the 2027 legislative session to finish the job.
The only problem is this. The Governor wants to wait for the 2027 legislative session for any real reforms, so he's not hearing it loudly enough...yet.
If we wait until 2027, how many hundreds of data centers will be grandfathered in, while all the lobbyists figure out how to thwart those reforms for others waiting in the wings?
Texas already has 405 existing data centers and another 442 planned or underway as of late 2025 according to Axios.com.
The Governor should call an Emergency Special Session
Governor Abbott is the only one with the power to call a special session, That said, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wields a great deal of power to force the Governor to call a special session. Let us not forget the no less than three special sessions on the so-called "bathroom bills" Patrick insisted were an “emergency.”
If you live in Central Texas, especially Bastrop and Travis Counties, please consider attending these events with data center developer EdgeConneX. Please note that we do not expect a true “town hall,” but rather an open house with EdgeConneX employees and “subject matter experts” answering questions at stations of tables.
EdgeConneX Data Center Open Houses (see the flier here)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 to 8 pm, Elgin, North Bastrop County Community Annex 702 Bull Run
Wednesday, June 17, 6 to 8 pm, Smithville,, Smithville Recreation Center 106 Royston
Thursday, June 18, 6 to 8 pm, Bastrop County Community Center 15 American Legion Drive
Tentatively, the most affected area, Cedar Creek, does not yet have a meeting planned. We believe this is in progress, but stay tuned.
Ask your own questions, or refer to the questions we will provide at our Monday night Zoom meeting on June 15. RSVP HERE.
If you see no one recording your interaction at a table, do so on your phone. Please share this information with us or reach out to us the day following the meeting at contact@livtx.org or 512.360.8754.
Again, our Monday Zoom Meeting will focus on preparing for these meetings. RSVP HERE.
