Business groups say there may still be fight left in Austin’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, even after the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals sided against the ordinance and back down to a lower court.
The Texas Restaurant Association’s Kennith Besserman believes the 3rd Court of Appeals opinion against the ordinance was pretty clear cut, but added, other lawyers may see different.
“The [City of Austin] has to determine if there’s any wiggleroom or any legal doubt in that opinion,’ he continued, “for them to launch another case or another effort to refashion the ordinance.”
Besserman hopes the city takes this chance to make it easier on businesses. Several businesses main beef with the ordinance was its one size fits all approach, and Besserman said, it just does not mesh with small businesses who aren’t a typical office 9-5 job.
At least one Austin restaurant has started its own version of the ordinance, and Besserman hopes the city will take a look at other ways this could work.
And while lawyers both fighting for and against Austin’s Paid Sick Leave are keeping a close eye on the legal battle, Besserman said the fight could easily spill over into the legislature with groups arguing for statewide mandates.
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