Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has filed a lawsuit against the City of Austin for upholding a local injunction requiring the use of face masks after Governor Greg Abbott (R) eliminated the statewide mask mandate.
The lawsuit has been filed against Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D), Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Mark Escott, the interim Medical Director and Health Authority for Austin, CNN reported
“I told Travis County & The City of Austin to comply with state mask law. They blew me off. So again, I’m dragging them to court,” Paxton tweeted
Abbott announced March 2 that he would lift Texas mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions, although Austin officials indicated this week that they would push to maintain a mask mandate in the city.
The lawsuit that was filed on Thursday establishes thatIndividual companies can decide if they want customers to wear masks, but claims Abbott’s executive order prohibits local government from enforcing mask mandates.
Paxton asked the court for a temporary restraining order so that Austin cannot enforce his masking order, CNN said.
The attorney general’s office has filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin and Travis County. Travis County has not had to rely on enforcing its orders to hold our community accountable. While the Commissioners Court order is valid, Travis will County will not prosecute all enforcement actions of this order in deference to court, ” Brown’s office said in a statement to CNN.
Paxton warned Adler Wednesday that he would press charges if the mask mandate was not lifted.
“The decision to require masks or otherwise impose COVID-19-related usage limits is expressly reserved for private companies on their own property. It does not fall under jurisdictions such as the City of Austin or Travis County or their local health authorities,” said Paxton.
However, Adler said he would fight back after the threat if a lawsuit comes.
Judge Brown and I will continue to do everything in our power, using every tool at our disposal to reduce the spread of the virus, to keep as many people alive as possible, to keep schools safe and open to them. more personal learning and more business safe. We will fight Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton against doctors and data for as long as possible, “said Adler.
Brown said in a statement to The Hill that the Texas Attorney General “failed” to make community health a priority.
“I will continue to listen to our public health authority, medical professionals and the CDC who have consistently said masks save lives. It is unfortunate that the Attorney General is once again failing to make the health of our community his priority, ”said Brown.
The Hill has reached out to Paxton and Adler for further comment.
Updated 7:39 PM