Cedar Park Chamber Of Commerce: Cedar Park Chamber's Statement On Governor Abbott's Executive Order 40

Press release from Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce:

October 14, 2021

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order 40 banning mandates by private business contradicts previous orders issued by the governor. As we will communicate to our members, leadership and the Legislature, the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce is opposed to preventing employers from enacting thoughtful workplace health and safety measures. Governor Abbott’s order also places businesses that are subject to the forthcoming federal government’s vaccine rule in an impossible situation where to follow one order would defy the other. A mandate against a mandate is still a mandate, and our business community deserve a more thoughtful response.  The Cedar Park Chamber advocates for the rights of individual businesses to continue to make the best decisions for their employees and business. If a business believes a vaccine is best for their business, then they should have the right to make that choice just as those businesses that do not feel a vaccine is needed for their business should have the freedom to choose that path. We recognize medical and religious exemptions are necessary for any vaccine protocols. We oppose “personal conscience” exemptions as it is not clearly defined by state or federal law and opens businesses up to frivolous lawsuits. We respectfully call on Governor Abbott to rescind his order and take any action off the special called session of the Texas Legislature.

This press release was produced by Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.