Texas Law Eliminates Water Breaks for Construction Workers Amidst Heat Wave

A new law in Texas, set to go into effect in September, will eliminate local requirements for rest breaks, including water breaks, for workers in cities like Austin and Dallas. The law is part of a broader effort by the Republican-dominated State Legislature to exert control over Democratic-led major cities. Critics argue that the law, known as the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, transfers power from local communities to politicians in Austin and undermines worker safety. Supporters claim it will streamline regulations and prevent conflicting rules across different localities. The law has raised concerns about worker safety, particularly in the face of extreme heatwaves, and has prompted calls for national legislation or administrative rules requiring water breaks on a federal level.