TX Judge Blocks Law Eroding Ordinances In Blue Areas

The Texas Tribune reports:

A sweeping new Texas law aimed at undermining the ability of the state’s bluer urban areas to enact progressive policies is unconstitutional, a Travis County judge ruled Wednesday.

State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble halted the law — House Bill 2127, which opponents nicknamed the “Death Star” bill — just days before it was slated to take effect on Friday.

The Republican-backed law aims to stop local governments from enacting a wide range of progressive-leaning policies by barring cities and counties from passing local ordinances that go further than what’s allowed under broad areas of state law.

Read the full article. State Rep. Dustin Burrows’ bill would allow the state to override local ordinances on LGBTQ rights, sick leave, tenant protections, and laws requiring mandatory water breaks for construction workers. That last one is what really caught the eye of the national press. Burrows appeared here in May for his bill to post armed guards at all schools. He first appeared here for his successful bill designating gun stores as “essential businesses” during the COVID lockdown.

BREAKING: A Travis County judge has blocked a new Texas law that would erode cities’ power to enact local rules, declaring the law unconstitutional https://t.co/GXrg3AuSkt @TexasTribune #txlege

— Joshua Fechter (@JoshuaFechter) August 30, 2023