AUSTIN –Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has intervened in a lawsuit against Austin’s sick leave ordinance.

Austin is the first Texas city to pass such a law. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1. But business and conservative groups have sued, seeking to block it.

Austin passes first mandatory paid sick leave in Texas

In court papers filed Monday with the Texas state district court in Travis County, Paxton argued that Austin’s ordinance undermines state law setting minimum wage.

Ordinance would make sick leave mandatory for Austin businesses

“The Austin City Council’s disdain and blatant disregard for the rule of law is an attempt to unlawfully and inappropriately usurp the authority of the state lawmakers chosen by Texas voters and must be stopped,” said Paxton.

Businesses sue to stop Austin paid sick leave ordinance

The policy requires most private businesses to provide paid sick leave for employees. Under the ordinance, employees will be able to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Under the paid sick time umbrella, employees can take off work to care for themselves, family, or anyone else seen as equivalent to a family member.

Businesses with 15 employees or less can earn up to six paid sick days each year. Companies with more than 15 employees can earn up to eight days per year.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Independent Business Alliance and Texas Association of Business opposed the ordinance. The rules do not apply to government entities, which employ more than 100,000 people in Austin.

Paxton stepping in Monday is another example of top Texas Republicans taking aim at local policies enacted by liberal cities.

View a copy of the plea in intervention by clicking here. (.pdf)