An Abbott Flip Flop
MAGA Gov. Greg Abbott is feeling the heat. He’s reading the polls. He knows that his papi Donald Trump’s numbers are tanking. You know, gas prices, “I love inflation,” and the Trump war for starters. Now Abbott is seeing rural folks attacking one of his babies, err data centers. Now we are getting an Abbott flip flop. See the featured photo and see this from the Trib:
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday released sweeping regulatory recommendations on data centers for the Legislature to pass in the 2027 session, as Texas grapples with an explosion of artificial intelligence-driven development and soaring power demands.
In a letter to state regulators, Abbott outlined a series of proposals designed to ensure data centers shoulder the costs of their growth rather than Texas ratepayers.
Among his legislative priorities:
- requiring new facilities to add power generation to the state’s power grid
- requiring data centers pay for their own grid interconnection and infrastructure costs
- mandating the use of “closed-loop” water systems, which draw a large amount of water at the start but reuse it over some period of years
- require annual reporting by all data centers on electricity and water use
- establishing best-practice standards to address community concerns like noise
- repealing data center sales tax exemptions and “other outdated or unnecessary incentives for data centers”
- The Texas Tribune reported earlier this year that the state is poised to lose $3.2 billion in sales tax revenue over the next two years because of a sales tax exemption.
- “The rapid scale of data center development requires oversight to ensure everyday Texans are not burdened with the costs of infrastructure driven by data center expansion, and to ensure that as data centers interconnect to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, residential electric bills are not negatively affected,” Abbott wrote in the letter first obtained by the Texas Bullpen.
- It’s a striking call for industry regulation by the Republican governor in a state that has long prided itself on being a favorable environment for business. In recent months, Abbott has toed the line of championing the industry, declaring Texas the “epicenter” of AI development, and issuing statements about how his office was sensitive to the concerns about strain on resources and quality of life.
Here is the entire Trib read: Greg Abbott recommends data center industry crack down.
Make no mistake. Abbott and MAGA gave data centers their free ride in Texas. Now small communities across Texas are pushing back and Abbott is feeling it. Alvin, Texas is the latest in these parts. This is a major flip flop for Abbott. Let’s see how his papi billionaire donors react to his flip flopping. I hope the State Rep. Gina Hinojosa campaign hits Abbott on this huge flip flop.
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The H-Town City Council passed the $7.5 billion budget yesterday. A 15-1 vote. Next month we will start paying $5 per month garbage fee. Today was black bin day, and mine was picked up before 8 am. Not bad at all.
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“Today” is calling it “Miracle at MSG.” The Spurs blew a 27-point halftime lead last night. Oilers fans know the feeling. In January of 1993 we had a 35-3 lead over the Bill and lost 41-38. A choke job for sure. At least the Spurs have a shot. We were eliminated in the playoffs.
There sure was a ton of star power courtside last night, including Stevie Knicks and Knickole Kidman.
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I plan to attend the World Cup Fan Fest over the next few days. It is free. I must experience this and maybe pick up a World Cup t-shirt. I will take the METRO Rail that drops you off right in front of the Fest grounds.
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Here is what Joe Espada said after the loss last night:
“We’ve really got to turn the page and put this series behind us. Off day tomorrow and we have a stretch of six games. We’ve got to start winning some series. It’s important for us to start winning some series.”
No sh_t.
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Happy Birthday to my sister Sylvia today!