Gina Hinojosa responds to questions about data centers, Abbott property tax statements
Representative Gina Hinojosa, a gubernatorial candidate, criticized Texas's current approach to data centers, stating they take advantage of Texans through rich tax breaks and a lack of protections for water and electricity. She advocates for new laws to prioritize water for residents and ensure grid stability, opposing Governor Abbott's policies.
Texas gubernatorial candidate Representative Gina Hinojosa criticized the state's current policies regarding data centers, asserting that they exploit Texans through substantial tax breaks and insufficient protective measures. Speaking during a rally, Hinojosa, who previously served ten years in the Texas House, expressed her strong disagreement with Governor Greg Abbott's administration for "inviting data centers in with the richest tax breaks in the world and no protections for people."
Hinojosa emphasized the need for legislative action to safeguard residents, particularly concerning water resources and electricity infrastructure. She stated, "Water should not be first and foremost for profit. Water should be first and foremost for the people to live and drink in their own homes," advocating for the creation of groundwater conservation districts. She also raised concerns about rising electricity bills due to data center infrastructure and the grid's capacity to sustain such demands.
Furthermore, Hinojosa highlighted the impact on property rights in rural Texas, where "a 900-acre data center" can suddenly appear next to someone's property. She pledged to address these issues by cutting "corporate welfare" and auditing government expenditures, which she believes would free up billions to substantially reduce property taxes for residents. Hinojosa conveyed that her opposition to corporate interests resonates even with Maga voters, who she believes are disillusioned with the political establishment, creating an opportunity for bipartisan support for her proposed changes.