In Battle Over Direction of Texas, an Unlikely Casualty: Water Breaks
The New York Times
By Mary Beth Gahan, J. David Goodman and David Montgomery
June 28th, 2023
A new law pre-empting local labor rules is part of an effort by Republicans in the Capitol to exert control over the state’s Democratic-led major cities.
“I think the rest break ordinance is only the tip of the iceberg to what we’re going to be seeing,” said Rick Levy, the president of the Texas AFL-CIO “It’s probably the most sweeping transfer of power that we’ve seen in this state, transferring power from local communities to politicians in Austin.”
As Texas swelters, local rules requiring water breaks for construction workers will soon be nullified
The Texas Tribune
By Francisco Uranga and Erin Douglas
June 16th, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott approved this week a law that will eliminate city and county ordinances like Austin and Dallas’ mandated water breaks.
“Construction is a deadly industry. Whatever the minimum protection is, it can save a life. We are talking about a human right,” said Ana Gonzalez, deputy director of policy and politics at the Texas AFL-CIO. “We will see more deaths, especially in Texas’ high temperatures.”
Texas Wrests Power From Local Governments With Sweeping New Law
Bloomberg
By Sarah Holder
June 28th, 2023
Unprecedented state legislation could override city laws in policy areas ranging from workers’ rights and housing to finance and agriculture.
But advocates worry that this could embolden private entities to challenge a variety of city policies they don’t like, said Ana Gonzalez, the deputy director of politics and policy at the Texas AFL-CIO. “It will open the floodgates of expensive and wasteful litigation on cities and counties.”
