Texas, our beloved Lone Star State, just went full “Star Wars.” Governor Greg Abbott, with his Republican allies, has launched a legislative Death Star of their own, trampling local government autonomy and leaving Texans to question whether their democracy just took a major hit.
The notorious House Bill 2127, christened the “Death Star Bill” by critics, has been signed into law by Abbott. The bill, similar to the infamous space station in the beloved Star Wars franchise, has the capacity to obliterate local government ordinances across a broad range of issues. As of September 1, these local entities will find their legislative abilities severely curtailed.
The cryptic language of the law is raising alarm bells across the state. By hindering local governments from taking action on eight different types of government codes, unless expressly allowed by the state government, the law leaves a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Texas cities and counties. Can they address certain issues? What is within their purview now? As San Antonio’s city attorney, Andy Segovia, poignantly notes, this ambiguity stifles the ability of local councils to respond effectively to their communities needs.
The restrictions are far-reaching. From regulations on construction standards that exceed state law to worker safety, the bill slashes local decision-making powers. For instance, a Harris County rule that mandates construction firms maintain safety records and blacklists unsafe ones for specific projects could be axed. Given that approximately one worker loses their life every day in Texas due to safety concerns in jobs like these, the implications of this law are chilling.
Moreover, a host of other local laws stand at risk. Stricter discrimination bans in hiring and housing, higher minimum wage and worker rights provisions, payday loan lender regulations, and paid leave ordinances could all be under fire. Even seemingly innocuous bans on plastic grocery bags could be affected.
But there’s more. This legislative stormtrooper could impact local government responses to natural disasters, like hurricanes that frequently batter the Texas coastline.
Despite all this, advocates for the bill are spinning it as a tool for providing “consistency and predictability” across Texas. Local leaders, however, are far from convinced. They decry the law as a blatant power grab that prioritizes business and corporate interests over the welfare of consumers and workers.
To put it in the words of San Antonio councilwoman, Adriana Rocha Garcia, this law is nothing less than “the most dangerous bill” of the legislative session. It threatens to roll back protections for everyday working people, and that’s a future no one, especially in Texas, should be forced to reckon with. So, are we truly facing the “dark side” here in Texas? Time, and the consequences of this bill, will tell.
