safety
Ethics experts: Fort Worth mayor should abstain from data center votes, urge transparency
By Cecilia Lenzen at Fort Worth Report
· June 24, 2026
· 8 min read
Mayor Mattie Parker is not legally required to abstain or recuse herself from city decision-making related to data centers because of her husband’s position at a firm that lobbies for a data center coalition, three experts in local government ethics told the Fort Worth Report. But the experts all ad
Key takeaway The unusual absence of a board or commission to independently review such ethics complaints at City Hall leaves it to Parker and other elected officials to maintain a greater degree of transparency with the public, experts said.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The call for Mayor Mattie Parker to abstain from data center votes and maintain transparency is particularly relevant in Fort Worth, where the city council is weighing regulations on these supercomputer hubs. As data center developers increasingly seek to do business in the city, the lack of a standing ethics review commission at City Hall leaves a void in independent oversight. This absence is notable, given that Fort Worth is the only large city in Texas without such a commission. The city's growth and development, including the expansion of the Fort Worth Stockyards and Sundance Square, rely on public trust in local government decision-making. As the city navigates the complexities of data center development, the need for transparency and accountability is crucial to ensuring that the interests of Fort Worth residents are prioritized. The mayor's decision on whether to abstain from data center votes will be closely watched by local activists and residents.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mayor Mattie Parker is not legally required to abstain or recuse herself from city decision-making related to data centers because of her husband’s position at a firm that lobbies for a data center coalition, three experts in local government ethics told the Fort Worth Report. But the experts all ad
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cecilia Lenzen at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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