In a significant development for local governance and workers’ rights in Texas, a state district judge, Maya Guerra Gamble, has ruled that a controversial bill known as the “Death Star law” is unconstitutional. This decision came just days before the law was scheduled to take effect, potentially impacting various local labour laws, including paid sick leave and mandated water breaks for outdoor workers during a harsh heatwave.
The bill, which had been championed by Texas Republicans, aimed to prohibit local municipalities and counties from enacting ordinances that exceeded state law. It specifically targeted measures like paid sick leave, eviction protections, and local rules requiring water breaks for construction workers. The law’s intent was to nullify such local ordinances and ensure uniformity with state regulations.
However, several Texas cities, including Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso, challenged the law in court, arguing that it was vague and lacked clarity regarding which local ordinances it applied to. Judge Gamble agreed with these arguments and subsequently declared the law unconstitutional.
This ruling is seen as a victory for worker advocacy groups and proponents of local governance. It allows crucial local policies, including rest breaks for construction workers, to remain in place, emphasizing the importance of local leaders’ ability to respond to their communities’ specific needs. While Texas is expected to appeal the decision, the ruling underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between state and local authorities in shaping policies that protect vulnerable populations.
Advocacy groups such as Local Progress Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Every Texan, and Workers Defense Project have welcomed the decision, expressing hope that the Texas Supreme Court will uphold it, preserving local democracy and protecting the interests of workers and vulnerable Americans.
The term “Death Star law” is likely used pejoratively to emphasize the sweeping and potentially detrimental impact of the legislation, drawing parallels to the powerful space station from the Star Wars franchise.
