- A Texas judge declared a law that prevented cities from passing some local ordinances unconstitutional.
- The law, championed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, effectively limited the power of Democrat-led cities.
- The law even eliminated ordinances that mandated water breaks for construction workers, earning it the nickname “the law that kills.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed a bill into law in June that prohibited cities from passing certain local ordinances. It was widely seen as an effort to curb the power of Democrat-led cities.
Now, a judge has ruled it unconstitutional.
State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble announced the decision on Wednesday in response to a lawsuit from the city of Houston.
The Office of the Attorney General has appealed Gamble’s decision, according to Paige Willey, director of communications for the Office of the Attorney General.
The law even prevented ordinances that mandated things like water breaks for construction workers, earning it the nickname “the law that kills.” Texas saw protests from construction workers and their allies who said that an end to local water break mandates would result in more incidents of heat-related illness and death.