Texas may neuter cities’ powers to create rules around business hiring, benefits

Of the many clashes at this year’s Texas Legislature about state control versus local control, one has particular significance for businesses: who gets to set rules around hiring and employee benefits at private companies.

Senate Bill 14 would stop municipalities and counties from adopting rules around terms of employment “that exceed or conflict with federal or state law.” Those terms include employment leave, hiring practices, employment benefits and scheduling practices. That would bar things…