WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Candidates running for the Texas House District 56 seat agreed unanimously at tonight’s candidate forum that increased transparency is needed regarding a proposed data center project in Lacy Lakeview.
The McLennan County project has drawn concerns from residents who worry about its local environmental and infrastructure impacts. All four candidates — two Democrats and two Republicans — emphasized the importance of answering community questions before moving forward with development.
Democratic candidate Ashley Bean Thornton said residents deserve comprehensive information about the project’s effects.
“All the way from, ‘Is there enough water? Who gets first dibs on the water if it runs out? Is the electric bill going to go up? What are we going to do about the noise and light pollution?’” Thornton said.
Her Democratic opponent, Janessa Givens, proposed a three-part framework for evaluating the project: whether it creates permanent jobs for local residents, whether it protects the county’s water resources, and whether it grows the tax base without surrendering more value than it gains.
The two Republican candidates aligned with their Democratic counterparts on the need for greater oversight.
Pat Curry, the current seat holder, said he opposes the data center development, citing insufficient information about the project’s resource demands.
“Honestly, they have no idea what their use of resources is going to be, nor do they have any idea if it will be electricity or water, both huge things for me,” Curry said. “I want transparency.”
Republican candidate Ralph Patterson received applause from the forum audience after calling for the Texas Legislature to establish specific legal authority for data center regulations.
“All of the politicians are drooling over the tax base that it represents, meanwhile they’ve really lost sight of the impact on citizens,” Patterson said.
The two Democratic candidates will compete in the primary election on March 3, as will the two Republicans. The winners from each party will face off in the November general election.
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