All articles tagged with #local ordinances
Several cities and counties in California have minimum wages higher than the state's requirement of $16 per hour, with some reaching as high as $19.08. These local ordinances require employers to follow the stricter standard that benefits employees the most. West Hollywood currently has the highest minimum wage in the nation, and it is expected to increase again on July 1, 2024.
Lubbock County in Texas has become the largest county to pass a ban on travel assistance for abortions, joining three other smaller counties in the state. These local ordinances, drafted by anti-abortion activists, aim to prevent people from helping women travel to nearby states where abortion is still legal. The ordinances rely on private citizens filing lawsuits for enforcement, similar to Texas's six-week abortion ban. Legal scholars argue that the ordinances may violate constitutional protections, including the right to interstate travel. Planned Parenthood and its affiliates in Texas are also facing a lawsuit accusing them of defrauding the Medicaid program.
Nebraska's new concealed carry law, set to take effect on Saturday, allows most residents over 21 to carry concealed weapons without a permit. However, there are numerous exceptions, particularly in Lincoln, where property owners can prohibit concealed carrying on their grounds. Mayors of Lincoln and Omaha have issued executive orders prohibiting weapons on city property. The law also nullifies many of the city's gun-related ordinances but still prohibits carrying firearms in certain locations such as public buildings, law enforcement offices, schools, and places where alcohol is sold. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges.
A Texas judge has ruled that a law championed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, which prevented cities from passing certain local ordinances, is unconstitutional. The law, known as "the law that kills," limited the power of Democrat-led cities and even eliminated ordinances that mandated water breaks for construction workers. The judge's decision came in response to a lawsuit from the city of Houston, and the Office of the Attorney General has appealed the ruling. Critics argue that the law infringes on the rights of Texans and cities.
A Texas judge has declared a controversial bill, known as the "Death Star law," unconstitutional, just days before it was set to take effect. The law aimed to prevent local municipalities from passing ordinances that went beyond state law, including paid sick leave and mandated water breaks for workers. The judge ruled in favor of cities that argued the bill was vague and unclear. Worker advocate groups praised the decision, highlighting the importance of local leaders being able to respond to their communities' needs. Texas is expected to appeal the ruling.
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.