James Talarico Unveils Texas Data Center Crackdown Plan: List of Proposals
Newsweek · C · trust 53/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico is calling for a tougher regulatory framework for data centers in Texas, arguing that the state can embrace artificial intelligence and technology investment while still protecting local communities, according to reporting by the Texas Tribune .
“We need to ensure AI works for working people by ending sweetheart tax deals to data centers, empowering local residents to weigh in on data center construction in their communities, holding data centers accountable for polluting our water, and making AI companies pay for their own electric and water infrastructure so that those costs aren’t passed onto consumers,” Talarico said in a statement provided to Newsweek by his campaign team.
At a Wednesday news conference in Austin, the Democratic upset hopeful said Texas should remain a technology leader, but that residents need to “get a say and get a share of that economic growth,” the Tribune reported. He also framed the issue as a choice between unchecked corporate growth and community protections, saying, “We’re often told in our politics that we have to choose between policies that are pro-growth and pro-people. I reject that choice.”
“Data centers are jacking up utility bills across the state of Texas,” Talarico said, according to the report. “Billionaire-backed politicians are giving sweetheart tax deals to giant AI companies and then sticking us with the bill.”
The proposal comes as data centers have faced growing scrutiny and criticism across the U.S., with community opposition that has centered on electricity demand, water use, noise and whether facilities provide enough local benefit to justify their footprint.
Texas has become a flashpoint. As Newsweek previously reported , more than 480 large data centers had sought connections to the ERCOT grid by 2032, requesting power far beyond the state grid’s record peak demand. Republican Governor Greg Abbott, after previously promoting AI investment, has called for limits on data center development in rural Texas neighborhoods, citing electricity costs, water use and community impacts.
Texas has become a must-hold for Republicans in the midterms. Democrats are hoping to ride a surge in generic ballot polling and President Donald Trump's sliding approval rating into a majority in both the House and the Senate in November.
Democrats need to flip four seats against a difficult map to flip control of the upper chamber. Texas has long been a sought-after jewel for the party, but the state has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988 and has not backed a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976.
Related Story Republicans Hit by Major Midterm Polling Blows Within 24 Hours What Do the Polls Show? Three recent public polls of the Texas Senate race show Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton locked in a tight contest.
An A2 Insights survey conducted June 23-28 found Talarico narrowly ahead, 48 percent to 46 percent, among 618 likely voters, Newsweek previously reported .
A New York Times/Siena College poll released June 30 showed the race exactly tied, with Talarico and Paxton each at 47 percent among 656 likely voters. Siena’s release said the contest “can’t get any closer,” while noting that voters gave Talarico stronger marks on character and moral values, even as they preferred Republican control of the Senate overall.
Meanwhile, a survey from Red Eagle Politics/SoCal Strategies also showed a margin-of-error race—Paxton lead Talarico by about two points among 800 voters surveyed June 21.
Newsweek reached out to Paxton’s team for comment via email on Thursday.
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