SB 14 is an attack on local democracy. This legislation continues Texas’ race to the bottom by ignoring the voices of a workforce that is the powerhouse of the Texas economy.
In the absence of state action, local jurisdictions across Texas have listened to the needs of their constituents and responded to calls to pass local ordinances that seek to raise standards for working families. Cities and municipalities have passed laws which improve economic security and public health such as paid sick leave requirements and fair chance hiring policies.
Had these local responses been in place as millions of Texans have experienced severe disruptions in their lives from the pandemic, we would have had a more resilient and healthy workforce.
Read our full testimony here.
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Citations:
[i] CPPP analysis of U.S Census Bureau, American Community Survey, Table B19081, 2006 & 2017 1-year estimates, Texas with Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Inflation Calculator
[ii] Milli, J. Access to Paid Sick Time in Texas. Institute for Women’s Policy Research. March 2017
[iii] Gould, E. & Schieder, J. Work sick or lose pay? Economic Policy Institute. June 2017
[iv] Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Paid Sick Days Access and Usage Rates Vary by Race/Ethnicity, Occupation, and Earnings. February 2016.