The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shut down its automated electronic filing system after watchdog groups said the agency violated Gov. Abbott's directive to stop issuing data center permits. The agency suspended specific data center permits and disabled STEERS, the online system used for automatic permit authorizations.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 21, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Texas Commission on Environmental Qualitystate agency
Greg AbbottGovernor
Public Citizenadvocacy group identifying permit violations
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines signed four orders he called executive orders. Three weeks prior, he issued the first, targeting virtual marketplace seller fees. He then issued three more orders addressing medical records taxes, Flock camera funding, and state diversity programs. The orders direct comptroller staff to begin changing agency rules.
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Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller; Brandon Rottinghaus, University of Houston political science professor
Attorney General Ken Paxton's office launched a statewide inquiry into data center water consumption. Official notices were sent to 156 data center developments across 32 Texas counties after state officials noted noncompliance with mandatory environmental reporting requirements and failure to complete the Texas Water Development Board's water use survey.
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Texas Attorney General's Office, Enforcement agency launching inquiry; Texas Water Development Board, Agency whose water use survey was not completed by data centers
Gov. Greg Abbott stated the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission would not vote on a potential sale of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX anytime soon. Texas Monthly had reported the commission was planning to discuss the 1,300-acre park sale at its Nov. 5 meeting, but the Parks and Wildlife Department later said the property was not on that agenda.
$$26 million for proposed sale price of Boca Chica State Park
Greg Abbott, Governor; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate; Stephanie Garcia, Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesperson and 1 more
Sul Ross State University established a permanent, endowed fellowship for graduate student groundwater research at the Meadows Research Institute with $500,000 in support from Google.org. The first fellow will be selected in 2027.
$$500,000 for endowed fellowship support
Sul Ross State University, established endowed fellowship; Google.org, provided $500,000 in support; Dr. Carlos Hernandez, president of Sul Ross State University and 1 more
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced a new whistleblower portal allowing Texans to report suspected fraud, tax evasion, corruption, and misuse of taxpayer money. Reports go directly to investigators in the comptroller's Law Enforcement Operations Division, with options to submit detailed information, upload documents, and remain anonymous.
Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Keith Brainard and appointed Karen Smith to the State Pension Review Board. Their terms expire January 31, 2031. The board reviews Texas public retirement systems for actuarial soundness and state law compliance.
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Keith Brainard, Reappointed member of State Pension Review Board; Karen Smith, Appointed member of State Pension Review Board
Kinder Morgan announced a formal commitment to build the Permian Link pipeline project across West Texas and the Panhandle. The project will carry natural gas to power a hyperscale data center complex under a 20-year supply contract.
$$4.2 billion for permian Link pipeline project cost
Kinder Morgan, pipeline operator committing to project; Unnamed A-rated hyperscale data center operator, anchor customer
Voters at the Leon Valley Conference Center in Bexar County experienced delays during early voting after a ballot scanner jammed. The scanner, which can handle about 2,000 votes, jammed at around 1,200 votes. Waits reached up to two hours as poll workers addressed the issue.
Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Elections administrator; Roberto Flores, Voter; Cathy Hazzard, Voter and 1 more