As the Texas legislative session wrapped up, small businesses in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio will not receive regulatory relief.
To the dismay of small business groups, the adopted paid sick and leave laws enacted in Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio are here to stay—for now.
As the Texas legislative session came to a close, the proposed legislation aimed at blocking the paid sick and leave laws was short lived. Despite its optimistic start, the debate over nondiscrimination ordinances left the legislation bogged down and small business groups frustrated.
“Our members were surprised and deeply disappointed the Legislature failed to reach an agreement on legislation that Gov. Greg Abbott announced as a priority in February at NFIB’s Small Business Day at the Capitol,” said NFIB’s Texas State Director Annie Spilman. “Small businesses don’t have the time or resources to unravel a confusing and contradictory patchwork of local ordinances, no matter how well-intentioned. The failure of its final passage opens the door to more overreaching local ordinances that can have a devastating impact on small, family-owned businesses, but we will continue to push for legislation that makes it easier for small businesses across the state to grow and create jobs.”
NFIB will continue to push for state legislation putting an end to local employment mandates that go beyond what the state already requires.
