LIV News! The foremost duty of officials. Collier petition suit. Bastrop's data center mess. Austin's secrecy. Tuesday TX House Hearing on water and data centers!

The good news in the Bastrop big tech mess is we have met Maria Victoria Bowen of Stony Point, where 100 families live right next to EdgeConneX's first data center...with 6 more to come, so far as we know!

It's no coincidence that Mike Collier filed suit to challenge the ballot access petition laws that require 81,000 signatures from voters who didn't vote in the primary....in 30 days, mind you. Our own Linda Curtis has joined a prestigious group of former officials as a plaintiff. The filing deadline is June 25. Go Mike!!!

Bastrop Dog and Pony Shows

So far as we're concerned, the foremost duty of elected officials is to inform their constituents.The entire Bastrop Commissioners Court has failed from day one when EdgeConneX data center developers came to town well over two. years ago, and received a 75%, 10-year property tax abatement that was rushed through in a shroud of darkness.

Three open houses -- erroneously called "town halls" -- were held last week by EdgeConneX, sanctioned by the entire all Republican Bastrop Commissioners Court and we're still in the dark as. And, almost at the very same time the all-Democrat Austin City Council decided, in secrecy, the fossil fuel future of Austin. See David Weinberg's article in the Austin Free Press. What are good citizens -- from all corners on the political spectrum -- to do? Work with the growing independent movement to organize, and learn from those people and officials who are getting things done and demand open government.

We will be at the Bastrop Commissioners Court tomorrow -- Monday June 22 at 9 am -- to remind them of their duty. IMPORTANT TUESDAY, June 23, 10 am, the Texas House Natural Resources Committee Meets. They will discuss water and data centers. We hope to see you there! Note: You can also watch from and submit testimony from home. Please read SAWDF's report to prepare for Tuesday (June 23) Texas House Natural Resource Committee Hearing on data centers and water.

Additions!

These are the written public comments offered by Linda Curtis to the Bastrop Commissioners Court on June 22, 2026.

This is video of six speakers on June 22 at Bastrop Commissioners Court. We have asked the Commissioners to put on a real town hall and will be having out own in early July with other groups. Stay tuned!

This is the Hill County Proclamation everyone is watching as it sets the standards for rural pushback.

Quorum Report, June 22, As data centers come under more scrutiny in Texas, lobby prepares for vigorous session and new clients

Texas Living Waters Recommendations for Balancing the Water Needs of Data Centers and Large Water Users in Texas with the State’s Vision for Long-Term Water Security