Commissioner Miller: Abbott’s Data Center Directive Is No Moratorium—Call a Special Session Now

AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today welcomed Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to begin scrutinizing new data center projects but warned that the Governor’s directive is vague, limited, and no substitute for legislative action.

Miller said the directive amounts to a filter—not a brake—and falls far short of the immediate moratorium Texans have demanded. He renewed his call for Abbott to convene a special session of the Texas Legislature to establish enforceable protections for the state’s water, electric grid, private property rights, agricultural economy, rural communities, taxpayers, and ratepayers.

The following statement may be attributed to Commissioner Sid Miller:

“Governor Abbott is finally paying attention and listening to the concerns I have raised for months. I’m glad he has begun to act, but let’s not pretend this directive solves the problem.

It is vague. It is more of a filter than a brake. It may change how projects are reviewed, but it does not stop them. It is not the moratorium that I—and Texans across this state—have called for.

The need for a special session has never been clearer than it was following last week’s Senate hearings. Texans heard from the data center lobby, and they heard from hardworking citizens whose homes, land, livelihoods, and communities have been upended by the massive hyperscale data centers Governor Abbott welcomed into Texas with taxpayer-funded incentives.

The message from the people was loud and clear: Hit the brakes. Establish meaningful guardrails. Call a special session now.

Billions of taxpayer dollars are also on the line. The projected cost of the state sales-tax exemption for qualifying data centers during the 2028–29 biennium alone is equivalent to roughly 7% of all the state sales-tax revenue Texas collects in an entire year. That does not include property-tax abatements granted by counties and other local entities—or the enormous cost of building the water and electric infrastructure these facilities demand, much of which could ultimately be passed on to Texas ratepayers.

Before Texas gives away another nickel, the Legislature must examine these deals, determine their true cost, and ensure Texans are getting something worthwhile in return.

Governor Abbott has called 10 special sessions since taking office. He knows how to do it. A special session may last only a few days and cannot exceed 30 days. If lawmakers can be called back to Austin for other priorities, they can be called back to protect the water Texans drink, the electricity families depend on, and the land that feeds our nation.

Without legislative action, this directive is all hat and no cattle—empty political rhetoric wrapped in meaningless fluff. Texans need laws with teeth, not another press release designed to make it look like something is being done while hyperscale projects continue moving forward.

This directive is a start, but it is nowhere near enough. Governor Abbott must engage the Legislature, impose an immediate moratorium, and establish strong statewide guardrails before more projects rush through the gate.

Governor, call the special session. Hit the brakes before the taxpayers and ratepayers of Texas get run over.”

To read Governor Abbott’s directive, click here.