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. 00:00 — Intro & Sen. Sarah Eckhardt joins the show 01:51 — Texas flood preparedness one year later 09:47 — Building standards and floodplain development 16:14 — Water infrastructure and drought concerns 21:05 — Data centers and Texas growth 27:00 — Public education funding and ESAs 38:44 — Redistricting and Texas politics 43:26 — Final thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks Follow us on social mediaX: @Texas_DispatchInstagram: thetexasdispatchLinkedIn: The Texas DispatchTikTok: texas_talks_podcast Find more at The Texas DispatchYour source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism.https://thetexasdispatch.com