The short answer is yes. And a handful of such local control battles have raged in the Texas Legislature in recent years.
The most newsworthy: During the 2017 legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that pre-empted Texas cities from imposing regulations on ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, as several Texas cities — including Austin — had already done. The bill placed regulatory oversight with the state.
The Texas Tribune partnered with the education publisher Pearson to explain local control — and cities' jurisdictional tussles with the state — for Texas students.
Watch the video above to learn more, or read related coverage from the Tribune below:
• The Tribune asked Texans who should regulate Uber and Lyft. Here’s what they said.
• Ride-hailing nonprofit struggles to survive in Austin
• Uber, Lyft return to Austin as Texas Gov. Abbott signs ride-hailing measure into law
The Texas Tribune provided this story, which is part of its Texplainer series.
