Who decides on data centers, and how to bring down home prices: Hinojosa and Abbott give KXII different answers

Gov. Greg Abbott, the Republican seeking a fourth term, and his Democratic challenger, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, both told KXII that communities should have a voice in whether data centers come to town. They described different ways of getting there, and they also split on how to make homes affordable again.

KXII's Ava Gibson interviewed Hinojosa on Friday. Abbott campaigned in Gainesville and Sherman in September, the station said. Voting on Tuesday runs from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Data centers

Abbott said he wants the Legislature to write rules that would "empower local governments, such as counties or cities, to be the decision makers" on whether a data center can be built within their borders. Until then, he said, new projects are stalled by restrictions he has put in place, including denied permits.

Hinojosa called for halting new approvals, through a moratorium or an outright ban, until state laws are in place to protect residents. "Most importantly, Texans need a seat at the table to decide if and how data centers come into their communities," she said.

Housing

KXII reported that home prices in Grayson County have roughly doubled since 2015, while pay has climbed about 40%. The station asked each candidate how they would put home ownership within reach for working families.

Hinojosa focused on private equity firms that buy single-family houses, saying Texas has the worst such problem and that it leaves ordinary families unable to compete for middle-income homes. "That should not be happening," she said.

Abbott said a bigger supply of homes brings prices down, and he pointed to housing laws passed by the state. Cities that break those laws, he said, will "have their sales tax withheld until they come into compliance."

The race

Asked about the state of the race, Hinojosa said turnout gave her reason for hope, telling KXII that new and returning voters see this as "a change election year." Abbott said he was confident he would win. "Polls don't win elections, and polls are often wrong," he said.

Sources

KXII