Texas Judge Strikes Down Controversial "Death Star" Law, Protecting Progressive Cities

A Texas district court judge has ruled that a state law aimed at preventing cities from making local rules on various subjects, including rest breaks for construction workers, is unconstitutional. The law, known as House Bill 2127, was set to go into effect on Friday and was seen as a move by the Republican-dominated Legislature to exert control over the state's progressive, Democratic-led cities. The ruling is considered a victory for city leaders who argued that the law infringed on their power to make their own rules. The Texas attorney general is expected to appeal the decision.