LULAC denounces Texas ‘Death Star’ bill, calls it ‘potential death sentence’ for workers

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) raised the alarm Tuesday over Texas HB 2127, a new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, saying that it is “tantamount to a potential death sentence for Latino and Texas workers.”

The law takes regulatory power away from municipalities, preventing towns and cities from creating or enforcing ordinances and rules relating to specific sections of state law. One such now-unenforceable rule is a City of Austin ordinance that mandates water breaks for construction workers every four hours.

In the civil rights group’s Tuesday press release, LULAC National President Domingo Garcia called Abbott and supporters of the new bill “heartless politicians who turned Texas into a plantation/patron 1900s system once again.”

“They will be stained with the same degree of criminal intent if workers die of heat strokes,” Garcia said, “To deny water breaks to a construction worker toiling in the 100-degree-plus heat is shameful and criminal. While they govern from cooled air-conditioned offices, the ‘help’ those who build their houses, tend to the crops, and ensure they are comfortable, are at risk of collapsing from heat exposure and exhaustion.”

HB 2127 goes into effect Sept. 1, so the impact will not be felt during the height of this year’s summer.


If June is this hot, what comes in July?

“LULAC strongly denounces this barbaric and deliberate act of playing politics with lives, denying even the simplest measure of compassion to another living soul, most Latinos, and Blacks,” Garcia said. “Texas is witnessing one of the darkest periods in its modern history when step-by-step, the Republican extremists are weaponizing their entrusted power into hateful, abusive work practices.”

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, Texas added the most construction jobs over the last year. The state’s construction employment grew 2.7% by adding 21,100 jobs. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) notes that 61% of Texas’ construction workers are Hispanic.


2012-2022: Texas remains the deadliest state for Latino workers

“LULAC urges all workers to take precautions to safeguard themselves from the Texas heat while working outdoors,” said Robert Tellez, LULAC state director for Texas, “We encourage workers to carry water at all times, periodically soak themselves, and wear protective clothing to shield themselves from the scorching sun and its overwhelming effects. It is essential to prioritize self-care and protect oneself from the hazardous consequences of working under extreme heat conditions.”

 

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) raised the alarm Tuesday over Texas HB 2127, a new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, saying that it is “tantamount to a potential death sentence for Latino and Texas workers.”

The law takes regulatory power away from municipalities, preventing towns and cities from creating or enforcing ordinances and rules relating to specific sections of state law. One such now-unenforceable rule is a City of Austin ordinance that mandates water breaks for construction workers every four hours.

In the civil rights group’s Tuesday press release, LULAC National President Domingo Garcia called Abbott and supporters of the new bill “heartless politicians who turned Texas into a plantation/patron 1900s system once again.”

“They will be stained with the same degree of criminal intent if workers die of heat strokes,” Garcia said, “To deny water breaks to a construction worker toiling in the 100-degree-plus heat is shameful and criminal. While they govern from cooled air-conditioned offices, the ‘help’ those who build their houses, tend to the crops, and ensure they are comfortable, are at risk of collapsing from heat exposure and exhaustion.”

HB 2127 goes into effect Sept. 1, so the impact will not be felt during the height of this year’s summer.


If June is this hot, what comes in July?

“LULAC strongly denounces this barbaric and deliberate act of playing politics with lives, denying even the simplest measure of compassion to another living soul, most Latinos, and Blacks,” Garcia said. “Texas is witnessing one of the darkest periods in its modern history when step-by-step, the Republican extremists are weaponizing their entrusted power into hateful, abusive work practices.”

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, Texas added the most construction jobs over the last year. The state’s construction employment grew 2.7% by adding 21,100 jobs. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) notes that 61% of Texas’ construction workers are Hispanic.


2012-2022: Texas remains the deadliest state for Latino workers

“LULAC urges all workers to take precautions to safeguard themselves from the Texas heat while working outdoors,” said Robert Tellez, LULAC state director for Texas, “We encourage workers to carry water at all times, periodically soak themselves, and wear protective clothing to shield themselves from the scorching sun and its overwhelming effects. It is essential to prioritize self-care and protect oneself from the hazardous consequences of working under extreme heat conditions.”

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="1748341" data-context="headline_list_one_col_image_branded" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list1" data-anvato-params=""pauseOnTabInactive":false
// –>

Austin Weather

Current

75°

Clear

Tonight

74°

Scattered Thunderstorms

Precip: 30&percnt;

Tomorrow

100°

Some leftover AM rain to sun

Precip: 20&percnt;

Trending Stories


LULAC: Texas law ‘potential death sentence’ for workers


Two eclipses kick off big solar year


3-story residence collapses after lightning started …


Eminent domain for TX park called ‘government overreach’


Texas Senate agrees on Paxton impeachment trial rules


BestReviews.com – Top gifts to make everyone happy this summer


The trendiest Father’s Day gifts that will still …

/ 1 week ago


Treat your dad with these great Father’s Day gifts

/ 2 weeks ago


90+ of the best gifts for Dad

/ 2 weeks ago


Best Father’s Day gifts for dads who golf

/ 2 weeks ago


Cool Father’s Day gifts for Dad that’ll arrive on …

/ 2 weeks ago


Last-minute Father’s Day gifts that will still impress …

/ 2 weeks ago


View All BestReviews Picks

Don’t Miss


Austin dog walking temperatures


Hidden dangers revealed at Lake Travis


How long will the total eclipse last in Texas?


WATCH: Everything we found investigating TxTag Troubles


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team