Texas House approves sweeping limits on local regulations in GOP’s latest jab at blue cities

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, stands on the House floor on May 14. Burrows is the author of a bill that would impose new limits on what Texas cities and counties can regulate. (Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune)

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In a major escalation of Republicans’ efforts to weaken the state’s bluer cities and counties, lawmakers in the Texas Legislature are advancing a pair of bills that would seize control of local regulations that could range from worker protections to water restrictions during droughts.