Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the November 5 election, promised to halt approvals for new data centers until the Texas Legislature passes stronger regulations on the facilities.
Where
Statewide
When
Nov. 5, 2026
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Gina HinojosaGovernor-elect of Texas, Democrat
Greg AbbottIncumbent Governor of Texas, Republican
Gordon JohnsonCEO and founder of GLJ Research
Dan IvesTechnology analyst at Yorkville Ives & Co.
The facts
Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in the gubernatorial election.12Stated by 2 sources
Voters approved 37 ballot measures limiting data center development while allowing only one to permit it, according to Redbud Consulting.1
Abbott suspended approval of new data centers before leaving office, creating a regulatory moratorium.1
Hinojosa campaigned on a platform that included a temporary ban on data center construction.1
Hinojosa reiterated her position during a CNN interview, arguing communities lack control over projects consuming electricity and water.2
Hinojosa called for ending certain tax incentives for data center companies and requiring stronger commitments to local workers.2
Texas accounts for 25% to 30% of data center capacity expected online by 2030, according to analyst Dan Ives.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Gordon Johnson, CEO of GLJ Research The freeze could stall addition of 13 gigawatts of data center power capacity.1
Dan Ives, Yorkville Ives & Co. analyst Election results confirm a slowdown in pace of planned construction; 800 to 1,000 data centers were slated for development across the U.S.1
Hinojosa Texas needs stronger safeguards and regulations before allowing large-scale data center facilities to move forward.2
Hinojosa Proposed regulations would address electricity costs, water consumption, and transparency surrounding proposed projects.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Texas and Georgia governors-elect to pause new data center construction
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.
Following election results, the Texas hemp industry expressed optimism about new state leaders more favorable toward THC products. A San Antonio councilman filed a request for the city to study cannabis legalization's economic impact and opportunities for state legislators.
Mark Bordas, Executive director of Texas Hemp Business Council; Vikki Goodwin, Elected lieutenant governor-designate, campaigned on THC legalization; Gina Hinojosa, Governor-elect and 3 more
After winning the November 2026 election, Comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt held a news conference stating that the biennial revenue estimate was behind schedule. She said she plans to ask Gov. Abbott to appoint her as Comptroller before January. The current Comptroller's office disputes this claim.
Sarah Eckhardt, Comptroller-elect; Don Huffines, Comptroller; Jeff Norwood, Associate deputy comptroller for external affairs and 1 more
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission extended the application deadline for the Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council to November 19, 2026. The HHSC Executive Commissioner will appoint members to serve terms expiring December 31, 2027, or July 1, 2028, when the council is set to be abolished by rule.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, announcing deadline extension and accepting applications
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced a webinar about the Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program, which provides funding for state agencies and political subdivisions with fleets of more than 15 motor vehicles to purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, agency announcing grant program and webinar; Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP program administering grants
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced that an agency-wide performance review uncovered systemic failures in employment eligibility verification and federal Form I-9 compliance spanning potentially 20 years. Huffines called on President Trump and ICE to audit all Texas state and local government entities. The Comptroller's office engaged independent counsel to investigate and said it will not contest legitimate federal penalties.
$approximately $5 million or more for federal civil penalties for I-9 violations
Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State agency conducting review
The Texas Retired Teachers Association announced its legislative priorities following the November 3, 2026 election, focusing on protecting TRS pension benefits and retirement security for public school employees.
Texas Retired Teachers Association, organization announcing legislative priorities; Teacher Retirement System of Texas, pension system referenced
The Texas Quad-Agency Child Care Commission announced a review of overlapping requirements between the Texas Workforce Commission's Texas Rising Star assessments and the Health and Human Services Commission's Child Care Regulation inspections. The review aims to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and simplify compliance for child care providers.
Joe Esparza, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission and Chairman of the Quad-Agency Child Care Commission; Texas Workforce Commission, Agency managing Texas Rising Star assessments; Health and Human Services Commission, Agency managing Child Care Regulation inspections
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced that its Underground Injection Control Permits section will transition to electronic delivery of final documents, effective November 9, 2026. Certain documents requiring certified mail will continue to be sent by USPS.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, state agency issuing permit notifications