NFIB to Dallas: Courts Put Austin's Sick Leave Ordinance on Hold For a Reason

Date: April 18, 2019

NFIB’s state director for Texas, Annie Spilman, says she’s surprised the City of Dallas is considering a mandatory sick leave ordinance while the issue is pending in both the courts and the legislature.

“The 3rd Court of Appeals issued a temporary injunction stopping Austin’s version of the paid sick leave ordinance last summer while the case is pending, and there’s strong support in the legislature for a bill to stop cities and counties from imposing their own employment rules and regulations on businesses,” Spilman said. 

Last year, NFIB joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation and other business groups challenging the Austin ordinance in court. Senate Bill 15, the Consistent Employment Regulations Act, was announced in February by Gov. Greg Abbott during his keynote address at NFIB’s annual Small Business Day at the Capitol.
 
“Our members believe employment regulations should be set by the Legislature and applied evenly statewide,” Spilman said.

“When cities and counties enact their own rules that go beyond what the state already requires, it creates a nightmare for small businesses with mobile employees or operations in multiple jurisdictions,” Spilman said. “It can also put small businesses at a real competitive disadvantage if their competitors down the road don’t have the same costly regulatory burdens.

“The 3rd Court of Appeals agreed with us that local employment mandates could cause imminent and irreparable harm to those businesses,” Spilman said. “Our members are asking their legislators to pass the Consistent Employment Regulations Act so that this issue will be settled once and for all.”

Related Content: Small Business News | Labor | Paid Leave | Texas

Subscribe For Free News And Tips

Enter your email to get FREE small business insights. Learn more

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

Or call us today
1-800-634-2669

© 2001 - 2024 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy