The Wages Of Technology Is Death

As data centers continue to encroach on open land in rural areas, Texas' agricultural community fears it will struggle to survive as it competes with data centers for the same resources — land, water and electricity. https://t.co/G3wzvR3bYj

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 31, 2026

New: In 2023, Texas lawmakers passed a law raising auto insurance costs by $1 to combat catalytic converter theft.

Three years later, a little-known state agency has devoted millions from that fee to expand the state's Flock surveillance network. https://t.co/sMCmTl1YqF

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 28, 2026

Abbott's order came as The Texas Tribune was preparing to publish an investigation detailing how a state agency has devoted at least $30 million to building up the state’s Flock surveillance network by providing grants to local police departments.

You can read that investigation…

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 28, 2026

New: The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved two transmission lines to ship electricity to the oil-and gas-producing west.

The decision came after an hours-long meeting in which landowners told commissioners the proposed transmission lines would harm their land, the…

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 28, 2026

New: The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved two transmission lines to ship electricity to the oil-and gas-producing west.

The decision came after an hours-long meeting in which landowners told commissioners the proposed transmission lines would harm their land, the surrounding natural resources and wildlife.

This guy has been on a crusade against wind turbines for a decade because Scotland put some in near one of his golf courses, but he wants Americans to love data centers - some of his biggest political donors. They could build one near one of his golf courses - maybe Bedminster? pic.twitter.com/A8gqtXjJq7

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 31, 2026

Energy regulators and industry experts warn that Texas’ delays to major projects amid backlash from residents could create rolling blackouts and strangle growth of other industries that need power. https://t.co/H5Q2EEaDTM

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 30, 2026

People first? Or business? The eternal struggle.

Greg Abbott: Recruits data centers to be built in Texas.

Abbott before election when they become unpopular: We need a pause on data centers.

Abbott: Has Flock cameras installed across Texas.

Before election when they become unpopular: We need a pause on Flock cameras. pic.twitter.com/bsLhOeUQMb

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 30, 2026

Actually, when campaign ads come:

Earlier this week, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Gina Hinojosa released an ad blaming Abbott for the spread of Flock cameras across the state, calling the devices a method of “warrantless surveillance.” A social media post from Hinojosa asked Abbott to “stop turning Texas into a surveillance state.”

Abbott will make you believe a man in a wheelchair can tap dance. And Trump will make you believe an 80 year old man can live in an iron bubble.