Texas legislature

The Texas Water Development Board presented the state's water plan at a Texas House natural resources committee hearing yesterday, which does not currently include projections for water usage from data centers.

Energy regulators and industry experts warn that the state’s delays to major projects amid backlash from residents could create rolling blackouts and strangle growth of other industries that need power.

New federal data shows 92.4% of U.S. kindergarteners received the required measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine during the last school year. That's below the 95% vaccination level generally considered necessary to help prevent outbreaks.

The case stems from a controversial 2023 lotto drawing that sparked investigations, scrutiny of lottery couriers and, ultimately, the abolition of a state agency.

"We're coming for the books," the lieutenant governor said in announcing plans to lower the performance rating of Texas schools that violate a recent law targeting obscene titles in school libraries.

Some districts use the temporary work permits to fill critical teacher shortages in roles such as bilingual education.

The state's power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott's directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.

Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.

Critics say the governor must call legislators to Austin to pass state laws regulating data centers.

Data centers are no longer an emerging industry. Driven by cloud computing, crypto mining and artificial intelligence, they are spreading rapidly across Texas, and the projected cost of the tax break has climbed into the billions. On Monday, the state senate finance committee asked if it was time to end the sales tax break for data centers.