Gov. Greg Abbott halted state funding for Flock Safety cameras in late August. Flock Safety responded by pausing certain agencies' payments for 90 days, allowing Dallas, Addison, New Braunfels, and Johnson County to keep cameras that would otherwise be removed. Abbott also directed TxDOT to pause installation of new license plate readers.
Where
Statewide
When
Late August 2026 (funding freeze); Oct. 2, 2026 (Flock's response announced)
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
State funding for Flock camerasUndisclosed total; at least $30 million devoted toward 3,200+ cameras12Who pays or receives it: Texas state government
Grant funding for Flock camerasNot stated12Who pays or receives it: Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority
Who's involved
Gov. Greg AbbottGovernor of Texas; halted state funding for Flock cameras
Flock SafetySurveillance camera company; paused payments for 90 days
Dallas PoliceCity agency; met with Flock CEO; announced deal to keep cameras
Garrett LangleyFlock Safety CEO; met with Dallas Police
Rick BaileyJohnson County Commissioner; discussed extension in Sept. 14 meeting
Marlin WillesenAddison City Councilmember; spoke at Sept. 22 city council meeting
Chris FreisAddison Police Chief; presented 90-day pause to city council
Texas Department of TransportationDirected to pause license plate reader installation
The facts
Dallas will keep more than 300 Flock cameras after 90-day payment pause from Flock Safety.12Stated by 2 sources
Addison, New Braunfels, and Johnson County also received 90-day extensions for Flock cameras.12Stated by 2 sources
Abbott halted state funding for Flock cameras in late August 2026.12Stated by 2 sources
Abbott directed TxDOT to pause installation of new license plate readers on state roads and highways.12Stated by 2 sources
Flock Safety CEO met with Dallas Police on an unspecified Wednesday, after which the deal was announced.12Stated by 2 sources
Addison Police met with Flock on Sept. 10 and was informed of the 90-day pause.12Stated by 2 sources
All four agencies receiving the 90-day extension used Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grants for Flock cameras.12Stated by 2 sources
Departments receiving extension can exit Flock contracts with no penalties if funding does not return after 90 days.12Stated by 2 sources
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Rick Bailey, Johnson County Commissioner The funding freeze is political and motivated by fear of upsetting voters before Nov. 3 election.12
Marlin Willesen, Addison City Councilmember State will fund cameras; question is not if but when.12
Chris Freis, Addison Police Chief Flock is waiting to see what happens at state level before deciding next steps.12
Local officials from Dallas, Addison, New Braunfels, and Johnson County Without Flock's help, they likely would have shut down affected cameras.12
Where the sources disagree
Timing of when state funding block may end Some local officials hope it will be reinstated after Nov. 3 election [1,2]; Abbott has not clarified end date [1,2]
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Texas A&M University-Victoria held an investiture ceremony Wednesday to celebrate President Christian Hardigree's first year of leadership and the university's first year in The Texas A&M University System. State and federal officials, university system leaders, and higher education representatives attended the event at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.
Christian Hardigree, President of Texas A&M University-Victoria; AJ Louderback, Texas State Representative; Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Senator and 4 more
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction barring unauthorized drones along the US-Mexico border up to 400 feet above ground, extending one nautical mile north of the border. The action addresses concerns about illegal drug shipments and cartel drone activity.
Federal Aviation Administration, Issued temporary flight restriction; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stated military will shoot down cartel drones; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Said restrictions will counter cartel drone threats and 1 more
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, was interviewed about her campaign. She is running to secure schools and put money in voters' pockets, and is challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
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Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more
County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.
Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more
A body was found in Lady Bird Lake near Austin early Friday morning. Police were called for a welfare check after witnesses reported seeing a body floating in the water. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being investigated as a homicide.
Austin Police Department, Investigating death; Austin Fire Department, Assisted with body recovery; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded and pronounced person dead and 1 more
Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.
$$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
University of Texas senior linebacker Rasheem Biles was named one of 16 quarterfinalists for the Lott Impact Trophy, announced Thursday. The award goes to the defensive player with the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.
Rasheem Biles, Texas senior linebacker; Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, award sponsor