Ep. 118 - Data Centers Are Coming to Texas — But Who Pays for the Water & Power? | Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

How should Texas prepare for rapid growth, extreme weather, and increasing demands on its infrastructure?

On this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail sits down with Texas State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt to discuss the state's response to flooding, water infrastructure, data centers, public education funding, property taxes, and redistricting.

Sen. Eckhardt reflects on the aftermath of the devastating Central Texas floods, arguing that while progress has been made, key recommendations on emergency communications and floodplain regulations remain unaddressed. She also explains why long-term investments in water infrastructure and disaster preparedness are becoming increasingly important as Texas continues to grow.

The conversation covers:

Lessons learned from recent Texas flooding

Emergency response and radio interoperability

Water infrastructure, drought, and desalination

Data centers, energy demand, and water consumption

Public education funding and property taxes

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school finance

Texas redistricting and the state's political future

The discussion also explores balancing state and local authority, managing Texas' continued population growth, and how policymakers can prepare for future infrastructure challenges while maintaining affordability for Texans.