Texas GOP Vote by Scott Braddock on February 13, 2019
The Republican-led push to cancel out mandatory paid sick leave rules for private employers in Austin, San Antonio, and any other city that tries something similar began in earnest today as Gov. Greg Abbott told a crowd of small business owners that he supports bills to create what employers would call “consistency in employment regulation.â€
Critics of this legislation, though, were quick to say the city regulations protect working families and said it is “appalling†to see lawmakers line up to roll that back.
"We don't want businesses moving out of the state of Texas. We want businesses moving to the state of Texas,†Abbott said in a speech to a luncheon held by the NFIB at the Sheraton in downtown Austin.
Though a slew of similar bills was filed Tuesday, the ones Abbott voiced specific support for are SB15 and HB1654 by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, respectively.
"Paid sick leave, for a lot of businesses, is a great strategy. It can be a recruiting tool," Abbott said. "But it should be exactly that. It should be an option chosen by the business based on their strategy of what they want to do, as opposed to a government mandate."
Austin City Council passed an ordinance last year to require businesses to give employees one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked up to 64 hours. Employees could use the time on themselves or use that time to care for a family member. Any unused time could be carried over to the next year. Employers found to be in violation could face fines up $500.
More:
https://www.texasgopvote.com/economy/business-effort-begins-texas-capitol-roll-back-paid-sick-leave-ordinances-0011417
