Lawmakers in Texas Republicans threats to financially restrict cities defying their set guidelines

Lawmakers in Texas Republicans threats to financially restrict cities defying their set guidelines

TEXAS GOVERNMENT'S NEW ASSAULT ON CITIES:

DALLAS - Two years into Texas' grand power grab against urban areas, the state's GOP lawmakers are cooking up a fresh batch of bills with the intention of crippling cities from adopting liberal policies. This legislative session, Republican legislators have rekindled their smothering love for financial control over cities, targeting everything from poverty reduction efforts to diversity initiatives, and even bike lanes[1].

ON THE TABLE:

CONTROLLING CITY PURSE STRINGS:

By giving themselves the power to bring cities' budgets to their knees, Texas lawmakers hope to wield control over their policy decisions. GOP politicians are looking to create laws that allow them to cut off cities' funds if they dare to take measures that might conflict with state law[1]. Their targets: left-leaning ideas, measures aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and even programs that might give development opportunities to bike lanes[1]. In true Texas fashion, no matter is too small for their wrath. Some Republicans have even set their sights on making it harder for cities to create bike and bus lanes[1].

SHORT-TERM PAIN. LONG-TERM STRIFE:

These measures are the latest escalation in Texas Republicans' ten-year crusade to undermine the authority of local officials in urban areas, who are usually Democrats. Some argue that these restrictions stifle local officials' ability to address local issues. Steven Pedigo, director of the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ Urban Lab, describes this as going against the very essence of conservative government, as it moves away from enabling local representation of citizens and favors top-down governance[1]. As Texas continues to face challenges in sectors like transportation, workforce development, and water infrastructure, collaboration between state and local leaders is crucial to tackle these problems. However, constant power struggles derail progress, explained Pedigo[1].

THE "DEATH STAR" BILL:

In 2023, Texas lawmakers enacted the notorious "Death Star" law, which prohibits cities and counties from creating local rules that go beyond what's allowed under broad swaths of state law. It gives residents the right to sue cities and counties if they suspect overreach. Its main detractors argue it eliminated vital local labor protections, making it tougher for localities to handle day-to-day matters like excessive noise[1]. Currently, a group of cities is battling the law in court over its constitutionality.

ZERO-SUM GAME:

This year, legislators have proposed extending the death grip of the "Death Star" law, making it easier for the attorney general to sue cities and impose financial penalties. Critics claim that these measures would " financially handcuff Texas cities from serving their residents," effectively allowing the attorney general to play council member on the local level[1].

HOMES, NOT SEATS:

In a rare area of agreement between lawmakers and local governments, one proposal aims to make it more difficult for residents to challenge zoning changes, offering cities cover to make significant regulatory changes to spur housing development[2]. While not part of the anti-progressive policy slate, this proposal is posed as supporting housing efforts to ease the state's continuing affordability crisis.

TARGETING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS:

GOP lawmakers have also homed in on specific initiatives, including efforts to outlaw guaranteed income programs. Similar projects have already taken root in localities such as Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso County to help low-income households weather high housing costs and inflation. Harris County officials attempted to start their own guaranteed income pilot program with $20.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The Attorney General successfully sued to halt the payments, arguing that this was an unfair distribution of taxpayer dollars[1].

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE:

Guaranteed income program supporters argue that such benefits improve the lives of beneficiaries while pushing them towards better employment and financial stability[1]. However, opponents claim that such handouts represent an abuse of public resources.

Autodefine variáveis:

function rewriteBold(str) { let words = str.split('**'); let boldWords = words[1]; let newText = ; let newStr = words[0] + newText + words.slice(2).join(' '); return newStr;}

References:

1. The Texas Tribune, " Texas lawmakers target 'left-leaning' policies in city halls," https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-legislature-alec-local-policy-restrictions/
2. The Texas Tribune, "Houston bill that would treat big sea walls as critical infrastructure blocked by White House Council on Environmental Quality," https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/12/houston-sea-wall-bill-white-house-ceq/
3. The Texas Tribune, "Texas Republicans again move to block local control, as cities including Austin and Dallas race to pass rejected oil and gas ordinances," https://www.texastribune.org/2021/05/10/texas-local-control-austin-dallas/
4. Texas Legislature Online, SB 2858, https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB2858&Body=H
5. Texas Legislature Online, SB 2522, https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB2522&Body=H
6. The Texas government's new assault on cities might extend to involvement in education-and-self-development programs, as politicians aim to control funding for cities and make decisions on initiatives that promote personal growth and learning.
7. In the realm of politics, the ongoing power struggle between Texas lawmakers and urban areas could potentially impact the sports industry, as decisions regarding city infrastructure, such as stadiums and sports arenas, could be dictated by state lawmakers.
8. General news outlets may report on the consequences of the government's control over city budgets, examining its impact on various sectors, including transportation, as projects aimed at improving the city's public transit system could be affected by budget restrictions enforced by the state.

Read also: