Texas Heat and Worker Deaths: Concerns Rise as Local Authority is Reduced

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a new law that eliminates local regulations requiring water breaks for construction workers, sparking concerns about worker safety in a state that leads the nation in worker-heat deaths. The law, known as HB 2127, strips cities and towns of the power to pass or enforce ordinances in various areas of Texas law, including worker protections. Supporters argue that the law provides regulatory consistency, while critics view it as an attack on progressive measures in liberal cities. Worker advocates are calling for national heat safety standards, as OSHA guidelines alone may not be sufficient to protect workers.