Business effort begins at the Capitol to roll back paid sick leave ordinances in Austin and San Antonio

Abbott says paid sick leave “should be an option chosen by the business based on their strategy…as opposed to a government mandate”; critics say “it’s appalling to see legislators trying to stop even cities and counties from helping working families”

The Republican-led push to cancel out mandatory paid sick leave rules for private employers in Austin, San Antonio, and any other city that tries something similar began in earnest today as Gov. Greg Abbott told a crowd of small business owners that he supports bills to create what employers would call “consistency in employment regulation.”

Critics of this legislation, though, were quick to say the city regulations protect working families and said it is “appalling” to see lawmakers line up to roll that back.

"We don't want businesses moving out of the state of Texas. We want businesses moving to the state of Texas,” Abbott said in a speech to a luncheon held by the NFIB at the Sheraton in downtown Austin.

By Scott Braddock