The ‘Death Star’ Bill Is About Kneecapping Democracy in Texas
www.texasobserver.org
HB 2127, the so-called death star bill, is the culmination of a years-long fight about centralizing power, not protecting small businesses

From the article:

The bill’s sweeping, alleged purpose is stated in its opening sections: “returning sovereign regulatory powers to the state where those powers belong.” However, closer examination suggests that the legislation’s real intent is both narrower and potentially more profound than just upending city ordinance-making powers.