Preemption

Austin's Paid Sick-Leave Law Scrapped by Court

A three-judge panel found the city ordinance essentially regulated workers’ wages, which Texas law mandates can only be done by the state.

  • By Laura Maggi

Austin's Paid Sick-Leave Law Scrapped by Court

A three-judge panel found the city ordinance essentially regulated workers’ wages, which Texas law mandates can only be done by the state.

  • By Laura Maggi
Preemption

Austin's Paid Sick-Leave Law Scrapped by Court

A three-judge panel found the city ordinance essentially regulated workers’ wages, which Texas law mandates can only be done by the state.

  • By Laura Maggi

Washington Voters Approve Ban on Local Soda and Grocery Taxes

The initiative drew over $20 million of support from soft drink companies and others. A similar proposal in Oregon failed.

  • By Bill Lucia

Supreme Court Hears Arguments About Virginia’s Uranium Mining Ban

The case concerns whether the ban is prohibited by federal law.

  • By Bill Lucia

Cities Release Their Own Broadband Model Code

While a federal committee struggles to reach consensus on a state broadband framework, the National League of Cities created its own, stressing local needs.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

FCC’s State Broadband Model Remains a Work in Progress

Local government representatives worry a new code will let wireless providers preempt localities.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Report: Many Cities Are Not Equipped to Go It Alone in the Trump Era

Despite calls for local control, communities are only given a limited set of tools and are facing historic fiscal pressures. That could be a looming problem for many cities, according to a new report.

  • By Mitch Herckis

Local Plastic Bag Restrictions Get Trashed by Texas Supreme Court

The legal fight involved the city of Laredo and marks one of the latest battles over local government power in the Lone Star State.

  • By Bill Lucia

How Cities Can Respond When the State Legislature Says ‘No’

From defiance to exploiting legal loopholes, municipalities are trying everything to get around state preemption laws and maintain local authority.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

In Taking Up Climate Battle, Cities and States Shift the Debate

Some city leaders looking to lead on climate change policies, reducing emissions in their areas and tackling other environmental issues. But state preemption laws sometimes stand in their way.

  • By John Tomasic, Special to Route Fifty

States' Rights Advocates Look to Double Down on Supreme Court Sports Betting Win

On issues ranging from sanctuary cities to telecommunications, activists are betting big on the Supreme Court’s sports gambling decision.

  • By Mitch Herckis

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Virginia Uranium Mining Case

A group of companies argues that Virginia's ban on mining for the radioactive metal runs afoul of federal law.

  • By Bill Lucia

Tracking State Preemption Just Got Easier

A new map from the Partnership for Working Families covers nine economic and racial justice issue areas where localities are being interfered with.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Public Spaces and Local Democracy

COMMENTARY | The ongoing political battle over Civil War monuments—and the public spaces they reside in—reflects a disconnect over civic expression and our public spaces.

  • By Jess Zimbabwe and Alex Jones, Special to Route Fifty

House Farm Bill Would Preempt Local Pesticide Regulations

Most states already prohibit local efforts to restrict the chemicals.

  • By Bill Lucia

Legal Shootout at the Broadband Corral

City officials in Texas confront the state on its industry-backed preemption law.

  • By Timothy B. Clark

State Preemption of Local Authority on the Upswing, Research Shows

The National League of Cities released an updated report this week on the number of states that have laws preempting local power in certain policy areas.

  • By Bill Lucia

Preemption Battles Continue as Cities Look to Improve Internet Connectivity

From Georgia to Texas and Colorado, city halls are trying to fend off state efforts to assert control over local rights of way.

  • By Timothy B. Clark

Local Officials to FCC: We’re Not the Ones Impeding 5G

A group of mostly mayors encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to refocus its efforts on new broadband investment, instead of preempting their oversight of public rights of way.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Trump Administration Mum on Nationalizing 5G

The proposal is still on the table, according to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, though localities may find their authority on public rights of way preempted regardless.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

The Mayor’s Life at SXSW

In the background of a busy week of innovation, ideas, movies and music in Austin, Steve Adler is dealing with tricky challenges, like state legislative preemption and traffic congestion.

  • By Mitch Herckis