Chamber opposes proposed fair-chance ordinance

Ahead of City Council’s anticipated vote on a fair-chance hiring ordinance next week, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce has come out against the measure. Council discussed the proposed ordinance at a work session on Feb. 23. Among its stipulations would be a “ban the box” measure requiring employers to remove from job applications the question – generally accompanied by a check box – asking applicants to disclose any criminal history. In a statement released Thursday, Chamber President Mike Rollins did not specify what part of the ordinance was problematic. Instead, he said, “The Austin Chamber is opposed to the proposed ordinance as written and continues to request a delay until May. This is yet another ordinance where Austin City Council refuses to listen to thoughtful feedback on how their plans might work (or not work) in the real world. This proposed ordinance has not even had a hearing, much less a vote from its designated committee.”