Nick Lealos, Esq., during his presentation on July 22 discussed what Bastrop County citizens can do. Here are his bullet points:

• Demand Commissioners and the entities seeking tax abatement identify costs and impact on water and electricity
  
• Use existing authority to ensure public safety and compliance with permitting
  
• Obtain all information used to approve tax abatements
  
• Establish a citizens advisory committee to advise on data center projects and any requests for tax abatement
  
• Pause tax abatements for data center projects until a comprehensive framework for protections is in place
  
• Call for a special session and the use of the Governor’s emergency powers
  
• Establish a checklist process that codifies in a streamlined fashion so any member of the public can look at all of the check boxes and say “these are the laws that any of these entities, data centers or anyone seeking a tax abatement has to comply with and understand whether or not they’re in compliance, what their plans are to comply, and have enhanced ability to understand whether or not they’re actually doing what they’re supposed to to receive a grant of special tax treatment.”