As the temperature in Harris County reached triple digits in June and a heat wave washed over Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2127 into law. This law overrides local ordinances that legally require construction workers to receive 10-minute water breaks for every four hours of work. [1]

Since the bill was signed into law, more than a dozen people have died of heat-related illnesses in the state. Texas has the highest number of workers dying from high temperatures. However, several workers’ unions claim this data doesn’t fully reflect how big the problem is, as heat-related deaths are frequently recorded under a different primary cause of injury. [2]

Harris County is the third county in Texas with the most average deaths from 1999 to 2022. Source: Texas Tribune [2]

On June 27, Harris County Commissioners Court passed a resolution supporting the rights of employees within the county to organize in unions free of retaliation, intimidation, and coercion. County Judge Lina Hidalgo called on construction workers to organize and push back against HB 2127 with the support of the approved resolution. [3]

Due to the rising temperatures, officials are encouraging residents to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces. However, this is not an option for those who work outdoors and families who don’t have the resources to pay for air conditioning. In light of this issue, the City of Houston and Harris County Precinct 2 partnered with Reliant Energy to take part in the Beat the Heat program for the 18th consecutive year. Reliant’s donation of $75,000 provides portable air conditioning units to Houston senior residents through the Harris County Area Agency on Aging.

The air conditioning units provided through the Beat the Heat program are very energy efficient, resulting in reduced bills as compared to regular, house-wide cooling systems. In addition, if participants of the program were still having trouble paying for the increased bill, they could be eligible to receive aid from Precinct 2 in order to help cover their electricity bills.

At a recent press conference for the Beat the Heat program, constituents shared how paying for electricity poses a significant financial challenge for them. A 63-year-old woman mentioned that she is constantly being forced to decide between paying for electricity, gas, or medicine because she cannot afford to cover everything with her income. Sometimes, she chooses not to turn on her cooling system because that is the only way she can still afford to pay rent and avoid homelessness. Based on the Dallas Morning News and Longview News Journal, 45% of Texans cut spending on basics to pay for energy bills during the summer. [4]

The heat wave in Harris County highlights the urgent need for action to address the challenges posed by extreme temperatures. While the recently signed bill, which removes protections for workers’ rights to regular water breaks, exacerbates the issue, there are steps we can take as a community to mitigate the impact of the heat and protect vulnerable communities. One way we can contribute is by adjusting our air conditioning to 78 degrees or even higher when we are away from home. This way, we can collectively contribute to alleviating the strain on the Texas power grid during the summer, especially in the context of the freeze that took place in February of 2021. Another measure that can help alleviate dangerous conditions are cooling centers such as the 10 locations established by Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Furthermore, constituents can advocate for the establishment of more green spaces throughout Harris County. Parks, tree-lined streets, and rivers play a vital role in absorbing and emitting less heat, helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect. [5]

Extreme heat is a part of Texas summers. Residents of Harris County deserve to have access to reliable cooling systems.  We must continue to initiate and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being and safety of workers and vulnerable groups through a variety of avenues. Let your elected officials know we don’t want Texas to yet again be a state leading in heat-related deaths.


The content and opinions expressed on this webpage are solely the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the University of Houston or the Hobby School of Public Affairs.