February 14, 2019      5:03 PM

Advocates push back against legislation aimed at eliminating local government mandated paid sick leave

Advocates say a healthy workforce benefits the Texas economy; business groups maintain “These bills are critical to cutting red tape and encouraging job growth and investment in every part of Texas.”

Advocates for municipal paid sick leave ordinances for private businesses argued the regulations are helpful, not harmful, to the Texas economy during a briefing for journalists this morning.

The panel talk, organized by Working Texans for Paid Sick Time, came just days after Republicans filed legislation to preempt Austin and San Antonio’s ordinances and prevent other cities from passing them.

Two bills by Senator Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe and Representative Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, are backed Governor Greg Abbott and a wide array of business groups. Two more were filed today. Other similar bills were filed by Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and Reps. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, and John Kuempel, R-Seguin, this week. The bills by Sen. Creighton and Rep. Goldman, by the way, steer clear of non-discrimination ordinances in hopes of drawing Democratic support.  

By James Russell

Copyright February 14, 2019, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved