Texas Lawmakers Approve Bill Allowing Override Of Local Ordinances

Republican lawmakers in Texas have passed a bill which will bar cities and counties from enacting local ordinances that go further than broad sections of state law, including local labor, agriculture, natural resources and finance. In regard to the LGBTQ community, the new law will undermine local nondiscrimination ordinances that protect LGBTQ access to insurance, employment, and housing. https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1648729425213521923 From the Texas Tribune:

The bill’s supporters, including Gov. Greg Abbott and business lobbying groups, have long sought such a law to push back against what they say has become a growing patchwork of local regulations that weighs heavy on business owners and harms the state’s economy.

The legislation would overturn any existing regulation that conflicts with it.

Opponents say the bill would wipe out mandated water breaks for construction workers in some cities and water-use restrictions during droughts.

They warn that local governments would no longer be able to combat predatory lending or invasive species, regulate excessive noise or enforce nondiscrimination ordinances.

Texas Republicans have been trying to find a way to overthrow local LGBTQ protections for years. Remember, Republicans supposedly oppose “big government” versus local government. So why are state lawmakers enabling the overthrow of local ordinances? Read the full report here. https://twitter.com/ksatnews/status/1658298755995652096