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August 31, 2023

Texas Judge Blocks Law Barring Cities from Requiring Worker Water Breaks
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A Texas judge just ruled a new state law barring cities from making a
wide range of local decisions unconstitutional. Among other things, it
would have prohibited local governments from requiring water breaks for
construction workers. Texas's HB 2127, dubbed the "Death Star" bill, was
set to go into effect Friday and was part of an effort by the state's
Republican Party and Governor Greg Abbott to control increasingly
progressive and Democrat-led cities. The law was challenged by Houston,
San Antonio and El Paso. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner celebrated the
decision, saying, "This self-defeating war on cities needs to end."
Texas's attorney general has already appealed the ruling.


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