District Court Ruling Halts San Antonio’s Sick Leave Ordinance

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton praised an order by the Texas state district court in Bexar County staying the implementation of a paid sick leave ordinance imposed by the city of San Antonio. While in court, the city of San Antonio admitted that its sick leave ordinance was exceedingly similar to the ordinance struck down in Austin last year.

In November 2018, the Court of Appeals for the 3rd District of Texas upheld the district court’s decision on Austin’s sick leave ordinance, concluding that the ordinance violated the Texas Constitution and Texas law. Attorney General Paxton has intervened in both the Austin lawsuit and the San Antonio lawsuit.

“The court’s decision to stay this unlawful ordinance is a win for every Texan who wants to continue working in a state that welcomes job creators. Texans deserve the opportunity to work throughout our state, and that is why the Texas Constitution prohibits cities from overriding the judgment of a majority of Texas voters simply because they disagree. We will continue to fight the unlawful San Antonio sick leave ordinance.”

Twelve business organization are suing the city of San Antonio to stop its 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.

The State of Texas intervened in the lawsuit to oppose the ordinance and to support the business organizations challenge. View a copy of the order here.