Background

On June 15, 2023, HB 2127, the "Death Star" bill to preempt legislative authority of local governments, was signed into law by Governor Abbot. As a way to demonstrate the lack of support from localities who value their ability to legislate given their communities' needs, Local Progress and Public Rights Project organized an amicus brief on the significant impacts of this preemption law and seeking signatories to send a clear message on the opposition to the passage and implementation of this law. This amicus brief supported the corresponding litigation from the City of Houston and others against this bill. 

On August 30, 2023, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble from the 459th District Court in Travis County, ruled in agreement with the City of Houston's motion for summary judgment that the Death Star law was unconstitutional, void, and unenforceable-- a ruling that the State of Texas quickly appealed, prolonging the legal battle to protect localities' right to legislate across eight governmental codes in our state. 

Summary of Brief

The brief focuses on the concrete ways and examples of how current local ordinances will be unenforceable by the localities that passed them and how local authority will be stifled moving forward, taking local electeds' ability to respond to the needs of their constituents.

New Sign-on Deadline: Monday, February 5

We will continue to provide periodic updates and will circulate the brief as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Tannya Benavides at tbenavides@localprogress.org with any questions. Thank you for your partnership.

Signatories as of February 1

Abbie Kamin, Councilmember | Houston, TX

Adam Bazaldua, Councilmember | Dallas, TX

Adrian Garcia, Commissioner | Harris County, TX

Alexsandra Annello, Former Councilmember | El Paso, TX

Alyssa Cigarroa, Councilmember | Laredo, TX 

Alyssa Garza, Councilmember | San Marcos, TX

Andy Brown, County Judge | Travis County, TX

Andrew Gonzales, School Board Member | Austin Independent School District

Arnetta Murray, Councilmember | Iowa County, TX

Bear Heiser, Councilmember | Kyle, TX 

Brian Beck, Councilmember | Denton, TX

Brian Rowland, Former Mayor | Prairie View, TX

Brigid Shea, County Commissioner | Travis County, TX

Candace Hunter, School Board Member | Austin Independent School District

Chad West, Councilmember | Dallas, TX

Chris Canales, Councilmember | El Paso, TX

Christian D. Menefee, County Attorney | Harris County, TX

Crystal Chism, Councilmember | DeSoto, TX

Crystal Davila, School Board Member | Pasadena Independent School District

Chuy Zarate, School Board Member | Round Rock Independent School District 

David Stout, County Commissioner | El Paso County, TX

Deb Armintor, Former Councilmember | Denton, TX

Debbie Gonzales-Ingalsbe, County Commissioner | Hays County, TX

Dexter McCoy, County Commissioner | Fort Bend County, TX

Dr. Michelle Cohen, County Commissioner | Hays County, TX 

Elias Diaz, Councilmember | Eagle Pass, TX

Iliana Holguin, County Commissioner | El Paso County, TX

Jalen-McKee Rodriguez, Councilmember | San Antonio, TX

Jaime Resendez, Councilmember | Dallas, TX

Jaynie Schultz, Councilmember | Dallas, TX

Jonathan Estrada, Councilmember | Pasadena, Texas

Jose Velasquez, Councilmember | Austin, TX 

Jose "Chito" Vela, Councilmember | Austin, TX 

Joshua Acevedo, Councilmember | El Paso, TX

Juan Miguel Arredondo, Former School Board Member | San Marcos Consolidated ISD

Julie Ann Nitsch, Board Trustee | Austin Community College

Junior Ezeonu, Councilmember | Grand Prairie, TX

Kathie Tovo, Former Councilmember | Austin, TX

Lauren Doherty, Former Councilmember | Allen, TX

Lettitia Plummer, Councilmember | Houston, TX

Lina Hidalgo, County Judge | Harris County, TX

Marquette Greene-Scott, Councilmember | Iowa County, TX

Omar Narvaez, Councilmember | Dallas, TX

Ornaldo Ybarra, Councilmember | Pasadena, TX 

Rodney Ellis, County Commissioner | Harris County, TX

Ruben Becerra, County Judge | Hays County, TX

Ryan Alter, Councilmember | Austin, TX

Stephanie Gharakhanian, Board Trustee | Austin Community College

Stephanie O'Banion, Councilmember | Belton, TX

Tarsha Jackson, Councilmember | Houston, TX

Tartisha Hill, Former Councilmember | Balch Springs, TX

Teri Castillo, Councilmember | San Antonio, TX

Vanessa Fuentes, Councilmember | Austin, TX 

Zo Qadri, Councilmember | Austin, TX