(image via Depositphotos)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.
The Texas House approved a pair of bills that would seize control of local regulations that could range from worker protections to water restrictions during droughts by a 92-56 vote. It's the Texas GOP's latest attempt to weaken bluer cities and counties. https://t.co/eOE1EEYE7U
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) April 19, 2023
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.
“The bill is undemocratic,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “It is probably the most undemocratic thing the Legislature has done, and that list is getting very long. https://t.co/qTwGQeDEwY
— KSAT 12 (@ksatnews) May 16, 2023