Attorney General Ken Paxton applauded a Bexar County district court for halting enforcement of the city of San Antonio’s unlawful paid sick leave ordinance.
The court found that San Antonio’s sick leave ordinance likely conflicts with both the Texas Minimum Wage Act and the Texas Constitution, which prohibit municipalities from enacting any ordinances that govern wages. Accordingly, the court blocked the ordinance from taking effect.
“Our state is home to millions of hardworking people and we welcome job creators with open arms. We have one of the strongest economies in the United States, and it is our job to maintain that prosperity,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Texans deserve the opportunity to work throughout our state. That is precisely why the Texas Constitution prohibits cities from ignoring the will of voters, and why I continue to fight to ensure the voters have the last say.”
San Antonio previously admitted in court that its sick leave ordinance was strikingly similar to the ordinance struck down in Austin in November 2018 on the basis that the ordinance violated the Texas Constitution and Texas law. Attorney General Paxton intervened in both the Austin and San Antonio lawsuits.
Twelve business organization are suing the city of San Antonio to stop its paid sick leave rule from taking effect: Associated Builders & Contractors of South Texas Inc.; American Staffing Association; BBM-Online LLC; Burnett Companies Consolidated Inc.; Cardinal Senior Care LLC; Choice Staffing LLC; Employers Solutions Inc.; Hawkins Associates Inc.; LeadingEdge Personnel Ltd; Staff Force Inc.; San Antonio Manufacturers Association; and the San Antonio Restaurant Association. Texas intervened in the lawsuit on the plaintiffs’ side to oppose the ordinance and protect the uniform enforcement of employment laws throughout the State.