The article describes years of disputes between Republican state lawmakers and Texas cities. It cites the state's ban on local fracking rules after Denton voters approved a ban, Gov. Greg Abbott's overruling of local COVID-19 mask mandates, and Republican efforts to stop Austin's light-rail line, which voters had funded through a property tax increase.
After this week's election, Democrats won statewide offices and a surprise majority in the Texas House, the article says. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said, "I don't think we need to be on the defense the way we have in the past."
According to the article, city and county officials are shifting away from a long defensive posture. Democrats now hold major urban areas and key state offices, which the article says could help localities with issues such as housing, transportation and economic growth.