Texas Wrests Power From Local Governments With Sweeping New Law (2)

Come Sept. 1, construction workers in Austin and Dallas will no longer be able to count on city laws guaranteeing water breaks. Tenants facing eviction during a natural disaster like the ice storm that struck Houston in 2021 could be left on the street. And some cities that try to pass local laws regulating noise or limiting lawn-watering could land in court.

These are among dozens of local policies that could be targeted by a sweeping new Texas law that limits the power of cities to make their own rules. The unprecedented legislation, which was signed by Governor Greg Abbott, prohibits ...