Good morning, 

As more companies begin to mandate the COVID vaccine, what is the state of Texas doing?

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Brandon Waltens 

Monday, October 25, 2021
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• The issue of employer vaccine mandates is one that has hit a fever pitch, as large employers in Texas have begun rolling out strict requirements for their employees.
   

• In the case of Southwest Airlines, public pressure from employees and concerned citizens caused company leaders to reverse a decision to place unvaccinated employees on unpaid leave just earlier this week. Other employees haven’t been so lucky.
   

• Union Pacific Railroad’s vaccine mandates, for example, could put thousands of Texans’ jobs at risk—as well as exacerbate supply-chain issues that are already sweeping the country.
   

• Earlier this month, while the Texas Legislature was meeting during its third special session of the year, Gov. Greg Abbott added a ban on vaccine mandates from any entity, including businesses, to the agenda. Simultaneously, Abbott signed an executive order to that effect.
   

• But the executive order has been largely ignored by employers,in part because it only imposes a $1,000 fine. And legislation banning mandates? So far that has been ignored by both the Texas House and Senate.

• Pressure has been growing for Gov. Abbott to call a fourth special session. On Friday, the Republican Party of Texas asked Abbott, for the second tine, to call a special session to address vaccine mandates. 
   
• Specifically, the party has endorsed legislation by freshman State Rep. Brian Harrison which would require informed consent of employees who receive the COVID vaccine; if the employee refuses the treatment, no penalties may be enacted against the person. It also would allow the State of Texas to sue any company on behalf of an individual penalized for refusing.
   
• Meanwhile, in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling a special session of the state’s legislature to pass legislation banning COVID vaccine mandates.
   
• In addition to a ban on vaccine mandates, DeSantis is also asking the state’s legislature to strip liability protections from employers who have mandated the shot.
   
• So will lawmakers be called back for a fourth special session to address this issue?

• Only the governor can call the Legislature back to Austin for special sessions. They can only last up to 30 days at a time and are limited to agenda items he puts on the call. So far, Abbott appears hesitant to bring lawmakers back to Austin to protect Texans from vaccine mandates, saying there is “no need” for a special session at this time.
   
• The lack of action so far from Abbott is unsurprising, given he expressed his opposition to legislation that would protect employees from employer vaccine mandates, in August saying, “Private businesses don’t need government running their business.”
   
• As pressure from Texas citizens, the state Republican party, and his primary challengers continues to build, it remains to be seen if Abbott will take action and call lawmakers back. 

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