Texas AG Paxton, DOJ Investigate Contested Muslim Community Development in Collin County

The proposed EPIC City development by the East Plano Islamic Center, intended as an inclusive community centered around a mosque, has sparked significant political controversy in Texas despite being in early planning stages. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Senator John Cornyn have questioned its legality, with Paxton initiating state investigations and Cornyn requesting a federal probe, framing the project within a broader Republican Senate primary contest. Meanwhile, the Texas Legislature is concluding its 89th session, addressing key issues such as education funding, bail reform, and immigration enforcement. Notable legislative actions include the defeat of a bill limiting deferred adjudication for undocumented immigrants and the advancement of education savings accounts and property tax measures. High-profile local votes reflect broader debates over school vouchers, public school funding, and policies impacting immigrant communities. Infrastructure projects like Austin's 'caps and stitches' over I-35 also illustrate ongoing urban development efforts within the state.