Texas Governor Eliminates Water Breaks for Construction Workers During Heat Wave

A new law in Texas will override local labor ordinances that guarantee worker protections, including mandatory water breaks for construction workers in the heat. The law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, will require cities and counties to follow state codes instead. Opponents warn that the law overturns worker protections in more liberal municipalities that aren’t able to pass in the state legislature, where the GOP has majorities. Since 2010, at least 53 Texas workers have died of heat-related illness, and climate change is expected to make the Texas heat worse.