The Common Law

My daughter just turned 14 over the summer, and she keeps talking about getting a job. I thought you had to be at least 16 before you could work legally. Can she really work at only 14?

"...Yes. Federal and Texas law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to be legally employed...."

Oct. 24, 2003 Column by Luke Ellis

Opinion: Now Is Not the Time to Loosen Child Labor Regulations – Especially in Dangerous Industries

Child labor laws are trending in the wrong direction and we are putting children's health and development at risk. Now is the time to advocate for legislative changes at the state and national levels.

"...agriculture sector certainly fit that definition, and easing child labor regulations will not serve them or the U.S. well...."

July 21, 2023 Column by Hope Ferdowsian

What Price Labor?

Business as Usual

"...schemes are common and cheating is seldom discouraged by laws riddled with loopholes big enough to drive a bulldozer..."

Nov. 27, 1998 News Feature by Erica C. Barnett

City Must Give Secret Police Records to the Chronicle, Texas A.G.’s Office Says

City’s “G File” no longer exists

"...to keep secret, according to an opinion letter the Texas Attorney General’s Office delivered to the city in response..."

Sept. 21, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

The Common Law

Kids working for parent’s business

"...he allowed to work that much? Aren't there child labor laws that should have that kid in school more..."

Aug. 4, 2023 Column by Luke Ellis

Top 10 Labor Stories

Treat your workers right

"...4) Obama Protects Workers ... The U.S. Department of Labor established a rule designed to widen overtime pay to..."

Dec. 30, 2016 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Texas Law Would Make Law Enforcement Misconduct Records More Secretive

New law would create “G file” for all state law enforcement agencies

"...Texas lawmakers are considering bills that would allow law enforcement..."

April 4, 2025 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Texas “Death Star” Law Ruled Unconstitutional Two Days Before Taking Effect

But Texas is likely to appeal

"...A new state law that would limit the ability for local elected officials..."

Aug. 30, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Houston Sues the State Over “Death Star" Law

Lawsuit cities state overreach, vague language, and undue burden on cities

"...of Houston hopes to preempt the state's "Death Star" law, a bill passed by the Texas Legislature that would..."

July 14, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Council: Labor Protections and Job Evaluations

Marc Ott's job performance goes up for debate this week

"...March 24 meeting, City Council approved a number of labor-friendly measures, including Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo's resolution to..."

April 1, 2016 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Wrenching Issues Face First Dobbs-Era Texas Legislature

Pulling the trigger

"...As Texas' "trigger law" took effect last week, piling more penalties..."

Sept. 2, 2022 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

Federal Heat Rule Proposed Following Texas Bill That Stripped Worker Protections

After Abbott’s “Death Star” law, another attempt to protect workers from extreme heat

"...Last Sept. 1, Gov. Greg Abbott’s “Death Star” law (House Bill 2127) made Austin’s historic rest-break ordinance void..."

June 28, 2024 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Behold the Texas Miracle!

The Texas Miracle has a very mixed record on state prosperity

"...– are familiar with the political rhetoric of the "Texas Miracle." Coined by state business boosters to describe the..."

March 20, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

The Common Law

Can a 14-year old work a summer job in texas?

"...your ACL ticket, you are allowed to work in Texas – but there are some rules about the types..."

April 4, 2025 Column by Luke Ellis

The Common Law

My Old Boss Said What?

"...bad recommendation about me. Is that grounds for a lawsuit?..."

April 27, 2007 Column by Luke Ellis

Texas Can Ban Urgent Abortions in Emergency Rooms, Appeals Court Rules

Federal ER mandate doesn't apply to abortions, court rules

"...rooms whether patients can pay for it or not, Texas can ban life-saving abortions in ERs, the conservative Fifth..."

Jan. 3, 2024 News Post by Maggie Quinlan

What You Need to Know About U.S. Senate and House Races in Texas

Early voting in Texas starts Feb. 18, 2020. Here's the view from atop your Texas primary ballot.

"...first week of December, early voting in the 2020 Texas primaries is only a couple of months away. It..."

Dec. 6, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

85th Texas Legislature Preview

Can the GOP-run House and Senate get along well enough to get anything accomplished?

"...moment captured the underlying conflict leading into the 85th Texas Legislature, it came on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan...."

Jan. 13, 2017 News Feature by the News Staff

City Must Give Secret Police Records to the Chronicle, Texas A.G.’s Office Says

Come out, come out, wherever you are

"...to keep secret, according to an opinion letter the Texas Attorney General's Office sent to the city in response..."

Sept. 29, 2023 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Labor Changes Irk Transit Workers

New law and money woes prompt Cap Metro changes

"...Nobody's ever really been happy with Capital Metro's convoluted labor structure. And now, nobody seems very happy with the..."

July 1, 2011 News Feature by Lee Nichols

The Common Law

Can My 15-Year-Old Work During the School Year?

"...much as he worked in the summer. Federal and Texas law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to be legally employed...."

Sept. 3, 2010 Column by Luke Ellis

Fruits of Their Labor

How labor-related bills have fared this session

"...It's no secret that, in Texas, "good for big business" often means "bad for workers."..."

May 29, 2009 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

The Common Law

Back to School – Can My 15-Year-Old Still Work?

"...much as she worked in the summer. Federal and Texas law allows 14- and 15- year-olds to be legally..."

Aug. 29, 2008 Column by Luke Ellis

The Common Law

Teenage workers – can my 14-year-old work?

"...No. Federal and Texas law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to be legally employed...."

May 4, 2007 Column by Luke Ellis

It's a Wage Shortage – Not a Labor Shortage – and It Disproportionately Affects Women and Persons of Color

It's a complicated economic situation, but one easy solution is increasing pay for restaurant workers

"...into any search engine, the revved up reckoning of labor and wages in the United States' massive hospitality industry..."

May 28, 2021 Food Feature by Jessi Cape

Most of Austin’s Police Oversight Investigators Are Former Law Enforcement. Advocates Fear They Can’t Be Impartial.

Civilian oversight pro: Ex-cops investigating cops is common

"...Act that they have been willing to forgo a labor contract – and the guaranteed raises and financial incentives..."

Aug. 23, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

After 40 Years of Hard Labor, Joe Gunn Steps Down

The longtime AFL-CIO leader ends a chapter of Texas labor history

"...D. Gunn stepped down from the presidency of the Texas AFL-CIO last week, his name -- just plain "Joe"..."

Aug. 1, 2003 News Feature by Michael King

Austin Tries to Address Wage Theft, Texas Tries to Make It Harder

Is your boss stealing from you?

"...Back in December, Workers Defense Project and other labor organizations celebrated the passage of Austin's first wage theft..."

April 28, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

True Love and Lawsuits in the Wedding Capital of Texas

'Til death do us party

"...some peace and quiet. In 2013, the 41-year-old former Texas General Land Office agent and his wife Staci bought..."

April 27, 2018 News Feature by Kate Groetzinger

WDP, Labor Department Form Partnership for Workers

New alliance aims to improve working conditions in Texas

"...the Workers Defense Project and the U.S. Depart­ment of Labor announced a "strategic alliance" intended to reinforce efforts to..."

July 30, 2010 News Feature by Michael King

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