Sen. Don Huffines (TP – Dallas) has introduced Senate Bill 343 which would strip the ability of Texas local governments to enact ordinances that exceed what regulation and rules the Legislature deems appropriate.  The bill has the at least tacit support or Gov. Abbott who indicated his support for such a measure in one of his first public statements after his election.  If passed, the Legislature will have the last word on every element of Texas public policy that it touches.  The short but powerful bill reads:

Sec.A1.006.AACONFORMITY WITH STATE LAW. (a)Where the state has passed a general statute or rule regulating a subject, a local government shall restrict its jurisdiction and the passage of its ordinances, rules, and regulations to and in conformity with the state statute or rule on the same subject, unless the local government is otherwise expressly authorized by statute.

(b)AAUnless expressly authorized by state statute, a local government shall not implement an ordinance, rule, or regulation that conflicts with or is more stringent than a state statute or rule regardless of when the state statute or rule takes effect.

This usurpation of local government control contradicts everything that the GOP supposedly stands for, i.e. local control.  But what is principle when you have larger interests (rewarding donors and getting re-elected with their money) to serve?  Principle must give way to partisanship when many of the largest counties and cities in Texas are controlled by the Democrats.  The Texas GOP has consistently complained about the Federal government (read Pres. Obama)  imposing its will on Texas.   But when the tables are turned and Texas local governments turn out to be more progressive than the GOP can tolerate, then the all powerful “State” must take control.  Does the GOP believe in the will of the people or is it only interested in serving the interests of their donor base?