The Lone Star State is fighting on a couple of fronts to prevent local communities from mandating paid sick leave benefits on private employers. Last week, a state appellate court blocked an Austin ordinance that, effective October 1, would require private businesses provide paid sick leave to employees. A lower court had previously rejected the request for an injunction but without comment on the merits, the Texas 3^rd Court of Appeals enjoined the law only while the appeal is being adjudicated. Notwithstanding that decision, on a vote of 9-2, the San Antonio City Council passed a paid sick leave ordinance that mandates employers with more than 15 employees offer workers up to 64 hours of leave annually. The ordinance, effective in January, requires smaller businesses to provide 48 hours paid leave to their workers, earned at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.