Email
MRT 7/18/25 (free): Appeals Court Upholds Death Star Bill // SAEN/AAS Editorial: After Neglect, #TXLEGE Must Address Flood Threat // Crockett Raises Massive $
| From | Must Read Texas <[email protected]> |
| Subject | MRT 7/18/25 (free): Appeals Court Upholds Death Star Bill // SAEN/AAS Editorial: After Neglect, #TXLEGE Must Address Flood Threat // Crockett Raises Massive $ |
| Date | July 19, 2025 2:44 AM |
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[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
**[Subscribe to the daily email here]([link removed])****.**
———————————————————————————
**FRIDAY **|** **7/18/2025
———————————————————————————
**Good Friday evening.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]) and you will SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.
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_“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator __**Phil Gramm**__ (R-TX)_
———————————————————————————
**AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED**
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_Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here:_ __[ATXpulsepremium.com]([link removed])__.
> Read the most recent FREE subscriber email [here]([link removed]).
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr [here.]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS **
**““Appeals court upholds Texas law limiting cities' enforcement of local ordinances,” **Texas Tribune's **Hayden Betts **— “Two years after a district court declared that a new state law diluting the policy-making power of blue urban areas was unconstitutional, an appeals court on Friday overruled that decision.
Texas lawmakers in 2023 passed [House Bill 2127]([link removed]), dubbed the [“Death Star” bill]([link removed]) by opponents, which aims to overturn cities’ progressive policies and prevent them from enacting future ordinances that aren’t aligned with broad swaths of state law.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
The law prevents cities and counties from creating local ordinances that overstep state laws, such as those passed in Dallas and Austin mandating [water breaks for construction workers]([link removed]).
The bill, long sought by Gov. **Greg Abbott**, marks Texas Republicans’ biggest attempt to undercut the power of the state’s largest metropolitan areas, home to the most Democratic-leaning constituents and leaders.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
A month after the bill passed, Houston, later joined by San Antonio and El Paso, [sued the state]([link removed]) to block the new law, arguing that it deprived elected officials of the power to enact local ordinances on a broad range of issues, such as noise regulations and mask mandates. They also were concerned that the law made it so difficult for local leaders to self-govern that it would push them to propose fewer policy changes.
“What this means is that cities like the city of Houston cannot pass ordinances in these areas unless the state of Texas explicitly gives us permission to do so,” late Houston Mayor **Sylvester Turner **said in 2023. “That is a total reversal from the way things have been in this state for more than a century.”
A Travis County judge [ruled in August 2023]([link removed]) that the law was unconstitutional, but on Friday the Third Court of Appeals overturned that decision.
[In its ruling]([link removed]), the appeals court said it agrees with the state largely for two reasons: the cities failed to point to "sufficient concreteness” of how the bill would hurt them, and made a weak case for how the state is to blame for their concerns.
The San Antonio city attorney’s office, however, noted that the court dismissed the case because “cities don’t have standing to challenge” the law because “at this point, there have been no challenges to any of our ordinances under this statute.”
Texas Republicans and business lobbyists argued that the law works to untangle a confusing patchwork of local regulations that burden businesses and slow economic growth. After the bill passed, Abbott said the law prevents cities from being “able to micromanage businesses” which are “especially driving up the costs for local businesses.”
“We are going to have one regulatory regime across the entire state on massive subject areas that will make the cost of business even lower, the ease of business even better,” Abbott later added.
Earlier this year, lawmakers [failed to pass]([link removed]) [Senate Bill 2858]([link removed]), which sought to add teeth to the 2023 law by giving the Texas attorney general the power to sue cities and counties for adopting local rules overstepping state laws.
The San Antonio city attorney’s office said it is in the process of reviewing legal options and is coordinating with Houston and El Paso to plan out next steps.
“While this decision dismissed the current case, it doesn’t prevent us from raising these constitutional issues again in the future if a specific challenge arises under HB 2127,” the office said." [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._
———————————————————————————
* **#TXLEGE **
**“DNC chair to meet with Texas Democratic leaders ahead of GOP redistricting” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
Editorial: “**After years of negligence, Texas lawmakers must address flood threat**” via [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“San Antonio ISD has a new board president. Who is it?” **[SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
**“Houston council member sought favors like personal home repairs from city contractor, records show” **[Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
**“McKinney breaks ground on airport passenger terminal to add commercial flights” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **2026 **
“**A second donor to Aaron Reitz’s attorney general campaign faces federal indictment**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **TEXANS IN DC **
“**No member of the U.S. House from Texas is raising money like Jasmine Crockett**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
“**Texas lawmaker proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> TX TRIB: "**1.7 million Texans could lose health coverage under expiring tax credits, ACA changes in GOP megabill**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**A guide to Texas’ special legislative session**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**FEMA's quick Texas response was 'the exception' as backlog grows under Trump**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Democrat Joe Jaworski to run for Texas attorney general again**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Why a walkout on GOP redistricting could be very risky for Texas Democrats**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas Sues U.S. Masters Swimming for Allegedly Allowing Biological Males to Compete in Women's Races**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Texas temporarily expands SNAP benefits to include hot meals in response to flooding**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**‘Good Trouble’ rally in Fort Worth honors legacy of John Lewis**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Is birth control accessible in Texas? New study ranks state policies**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Marvalette Hunter announces run to unseat Wesley Hunt in Congress**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: "**El Paso joins 1,600 ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ protest nationwide honoring John Lewis**" _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**The 40: Congressional Coverup Claims, DOGE Demands, Redistricting Roundup**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Exclusive: Most Kerr County homes hit on July 4 had no flood insurance**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Trump mired in Epstein controversy as Wall Street Journal reports on 2003 letter**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Strapped for cash? Texas is the most financially distressed state, 2025 study shows**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Texans turn off phone alerts more than anyone. Did ‘alert fatigue’ cost lives in Hill County floods?**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas flooding death toll jumps to 135, Gov. Greg Abbott says**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Austin Pets Alive mobilizes to help in flood areas around the state, see photos from HQ**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Lenders offer $1.6M in funds to flood-ravaged Kerrville businesses**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**5 questions facing the Astros as they start second half**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> WACO TRIB: "**Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss highlight Cindy Walker Days fundraiser**" _[WACO TRIB]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Prosper officials consider new retail center at First Street, Legacy Drive**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
———————————————————————————
* **EXTRA POINTS**
Recent Texas sports schedule:
None.
Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Detroit at **Texas**
> 9:10pm: MLB: **Houston** at Seattle
This weekend's Texas sports schedule:
Sat
> 6:05pm: MLB: Detroit at **Texas**
> 6:30pm: MLS: **Austin** at DC (Apple TV)
> 7:30pm: MLS: St. Louis at **Dallas** (Apple TV)
> 7:30pm: MLS: Philadelphia at **Houston **(Apple TV)
> 8:40pm: MLB: **Houston** at Seattle
Sun
> 6:05pm: MLB: Detroit at **Texas**
> 6:10pm: MLB: **Houston** at Seattle
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "The latest on Micah Parsons’ contract negotiations ahead of Cowboys training camp" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "SEC preseason poll: Texas football voted to finish first in conference" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Houston Astros get some positive injury news. Chas McCormick is back after missing two months" [Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: McFarland: "Five key Rangers that need to step up for Texas’ second-half playoff push" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Texas Rangers add veteran 1B Rowdy Tellez to their roster after All-Star break" [AP]([link removed])
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Adolis García’s last stand? Rangers may face tough decision if offense can’t get going" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Rangers acquire José Ruiz and cash from the Braves for Dane Dunning in swap of right-handers" [AP]([link removed])
**MLS ALL STAR GAME**: "MLS All-Star Game: Will Lionel Messi play in Austin next week?" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———
You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online:
[link removed]
Caption:
[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
**[Subscribe to the daily email here]([link removed])****.**
———————————————————————————
**FRIDAY **|** **7/18/2025
———————————————————————————
**Good Friday evening.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]) and you will SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.
———————————————————————————
_“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator __**Phil Gramm**__ (R-TX)_
———————————————————————————
**AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED**
Are you one of the 100,000+ subscribers to [ATX Pulse]([link removed]), a newsletter that delivers EVERYTHING you NEED TO KNOW about Austin?
View image: ([link removed])
Caption:
_Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here:_ __[ATXpulsepremium.com]([link removed])__.
> Read the most recent FREE subscriber email [here]([link removed]).
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr [here.]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS **
**““Appeals court upholds Texas law limiting cities' enforcement of local ordinances,” **Texas Tribune's **Hayden Betts **— “Two years after a district court declared that a new state law diluting the policy-making power of blue urban areas was unconstitutional, an appeals court on Friday overruled that decision.
Texas lawmakers in 2023 passed [House Bill 2127]([link removed]), dubbed the [“Death Star” bill]([link removed]) by opponents, which aims to overturn cities’ progressive policies and prevent them from enacting future ordinances that aren’t aligned with broad swaths of state law.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
The law prevents cities and counties from creating local ordinances that overstep state laws, such as those passed in Dallas and Austin mandating [water breaks for construction workers]([link removed]).
The bill, long sought by Gov. **Greg Abbott**, marks Texas Republicans’ biggest attempt to undercut the power of the state’s largest metropolitan areas, home to the most Democratic-leaning constituents and leaders.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
A month after the bill passed, Houston, later joined by San Antonio and El Paso, [sued the state]([link removed]) to block the new law, arguing that it deprived elected officials of the power to enact local ordinances on a broad range of issues, such as noise regulations and mask mandates. They also were concerned that the law made it so difficult for local leaders to self-govern that it would push them to propose fewer policy changes.
“What this means is that cities like the city of Houston cannot pass ordinances in these areas unless the state of Texas explicitly gives us permission to do so,” late Houston Mayor **Sylvester Turner **said in 2023. “That is a total reversal from the way things have been in this state for more than a century.”
A Travis County judge [ruled in August 2023]([link removed]) that the law was unconstitutional, but on Friday the Third Court of Appeals overturned that decision.
[In its ruling]([link removed]), the appeals court said it agrees with the state largely for two reasons: the cities failed to point to "sufficient concreteness” of how the bill would hurt them, and made a weak case for how the state is to blame for their concerns.
The San Antonio city attorney’s office, however, noted that the court dismissed the case because “cities don’t have standing to challenge” the law because “at this point, there have been no challenges to any of our ordinances under this statute.”
Texas Republicans and business lobbyists argued that the law works to untangle a confusing patchwork of local regulations that burden businesses and slow economic growth. After the bill passed, Abbott said the law prevents cities from being “able to micromanage businesses” which are “especially driving up the costs for local businesses.”
“We are going to have one regulatory regime across the entire state on massive subject areas that will make the cost of business even lower, the ease of business even better,” Abbott later added.
Earlier this year, lawmakers [failed to pass]([link removed]) [Senate Bill 2858]([link removed]), which sought to add teeth to the 2023 law by giving the Texas attorney general the power to sue cities and counties for adopting local rules overstepping state laws.
The San Antonio city attorney’s office said it is in the process of reviewing legal options and is coordinating with Houston and El Paso to plan out next steps.
“While this decision dismissed the current case, it doesn’t prevent us from raising these constitutional issues again in the future if a specific challenge arises under HB 2127,” the office said." [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._
———————————————————————————
* **#TXLEGE **
**“DNC chair to meet with Texas Democratic leaders ahead of GOP redistricting” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
Editorial: “**After years of negligence, Texas lawmakers must address flood threat**” via [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“San Antonio ISD has a new board president. Who is it?” **[SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
**“Houston council member sought favors like personal home repairs from city contractor, records show” **[Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
**“McKinney breaks ground on airport passenger terminal to add commercial flights” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **2026 **
“**A second donor to Aaron Reitz’s attorney general campaign faces federal indictment**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **TEXANS IN DC **
“**No member of the U.S. House from Texas is raising money like Jasmine Crockett**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
“**Texas lawmaker proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> TX TRIB: "**1.7 million Texans could lose health coverage under expiring tax credits, ACA changes in GOP megabill**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**A guide to Texas’ special legislative session**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**FEMA's quick Texas response was 'the exception' as backlog grows under Trump**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Democrat Joe Jaworski to run for Texas attorney general again**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Why a walkout on GOP redistricting could be very risky for Texas Democrats**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas Sues U.S. Masters Swimming for Allegedly Allowing Biological Males to Compete in Women's Races**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Texas temporarily expands SNAP benefits to include hot meals in response to flooding**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**‘Good Trouble’ rally in Fort Worth honors legacy of John Lewis**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Is birth control accessible in Texas? New study ranks state policies**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Marvalette Hunter announces run to unseat Wesley Hunt in Congress**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: "**El Paso joins 1,600 ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ protest nationwide honoring John Lewis**" _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**The 40: Congressional Coverup Claims, DOGE Demands, Redistricting Roundup**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Exclusive: Most Kerr County homes hit on July 4 had no flood insurance**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Trump mired in Epstein controversy as Wall Street Journal reports on 2003 letter**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Strapped for cash? Texas is the most financially distressed state, 2025 study shows**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Texans turn off phone alerts more than anyone. Did ‘alert fatigue’ cost lives in Hill County floods?**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas flooding death toll jumps to 135, Gov. Greg Abbott says**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Austin Pets Alive mobilizes to help in flood areas around the state, see photos from HQ**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Lenders offer $1.6M in funds to flood-ravaged Kerrville businesses**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**5 questions facing the Astros as they start second half**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> WACO TRIB: "**Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss highlight Cindy Walker Days fundraiser**" _[WACO TRIB]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Prosper officials consider new retail center at First Street, Legacy Drive**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
———————————————————————————
* **EXTRA POINTS**
Recent Texas sports schedule:
None.
Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Detroit at **Texas**
> 9:10pm: MLB: **Houston** at Seattle
This weekend's Texas sports schedule:
Sat
> 6:05pm: MLB: Detroit at **Texas**
> 6:30pm: MLS: **Austin** at DC (Apple TV)
> 7:30pm: MLS: St. Louis at **Dallas** (Apple TV)
> 7:30pm: MLS: Philadelphia at **Houston **(Apple TV)
> 8:40pm: MLB: **Houston** at Seattle
Sun
> 6:05pm: MLB: Detroit at **Texas**
> 6:10pm: MLB: **Houston** at Seattle
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "The latest on Micah Parsons’ contract negotiations ahead of Cowboys training camp" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "SEC preseason poll: Texas football voted to finish first in conference" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
**HOUSTON ASTROS**: "Houston Astros get some positive injury news. Chas McCormick is back after missing two months" [Hou Chron]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: McFarland: "Five key Rangers that need to step up for Texas’ second-half playoff push" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Texas Rangers add veteran 1B Rowdy Tellez to their roster after All-Star break" [AP]([link removed])
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Adolis García’s last stand? Rangers may face tough decision if offense can’t get going" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Rangers acquire José Ruiz and cash from the Braves for Dane Dunning in swap of right-handers" [AP]([link removed])
**MLS ALL STAR GAME**: "MLS All-Star Game: Will Lionel Messi play in Austin next week?" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———
You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online:
[link removed]
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