AUSTIN—The Alliance for Securing and Strengthening the Economy in Texas (ASSET) today released the following statement regarding the Texas Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the city of Austin’s paid sick leave case. The city’s ordinance was struck down as unconstitutional by Texas’ Third Court of Appeals. Because the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, the Third Court’s ruling stands.
“We are pleased the Texas Supreme Court has opted not to recognize the city of Austin’s case. We continue to believe piecemeal local employment ordinances are unconstitutional and cannot stand, as ruled by the Third Court of Appeals,” ASSET Spokeswoman Annie Spilman said. “It is simply not within any individual city’s jurisdiction to mandate employment ordinances, and burdensome, one-size-fits-all policies hurt job growth. Although today’s decision is welcome news for Texas job creators that are struggling to get back on their feet after the pandemic, it’s clear this issue will still need to be addressed by the Texas Legislature.”