Fact check: Where Senate District 9 candidates in Texas stand on data centers
Texas Senate District 9 candidates Leigh Wambsganss and Taylor Rehmet outlined proposals to regulate data center growth, including reviewing tax incentives, requiring facilities to pay infrastructure costs, and strengthening local oversight. Both cited concerns about electricity demand, water use and neighborhood impacts, while Rehmet specifically supports a temporary moratorium on AI data centers. Wambsganss highlighted a proposed facility near Keller’s Marshall Ridge neighborhood.
Republican Leigh Wambsganss and Democratic incumbent Taylor Rehmet described their positions on data center regulation ahead of the Texas Senate District 9 election. Wambsganss said Texas should end special tax incentives, require data centers to cover their water, electricity and infrastructure costs, and give communities greater say over facility siting. She specifically pointed to a proposed data center near Keller’s Marshall Ridge neighborhood and endorsed pausing new approvals until safeguards and audits are in place.
Rehmet said the state should strengthen review and transparency requirements, examine tax incentives and prevent infrastructure costs from being shifted to residents. Citing pressure on Texas’ energy grid and water supply, he said he supports a moratorium on AI data centers until lawmakers address the industry’s impacts and believes cities and counties should have final authority over local projects.