Texas Governor Hits the Brakes on Flock Camera Funding - Governing

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a halt to state funding for Flock surveillance cameras on Aug. 26, 2026, just as the Texas Tribune was preparing to publish an investigation revealing that a state agency had directed at least $30 million in grants toward building out the network through local police departments.

Abbott's spokesman confirmed the order and said any Texas agency funding flowing toward Flock cameras would be redirected. "To the extent any funding comes from Texas agencies, those agencies are clarifying that those funds cannot be used for Flock cameras," spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, whose board is mostly appointed by Abbott, was among the agencies involved in distributing those grants.

For Lubbock, this matters. The Lubbock Police Department, like departments across Texas, has leaned on state grant money to expand camera infrastructure. If any of that funding ran through programs now being shut off, the city could be looking at a gap in how it pays for or expands its existing network.

The timing is what will stick with people. Abbott moved the same week the Tribune was set to expose the $30 million spend, raising questions about whether the order was policy or damage control.