AG Paxton Prepared to Serve Lawsuit Against Austin City as They Continue to Resist No Mask Texas
Texas Attorney General demands Austin City to drop their mask mandate, saying that legal actions might pursue if the Democrat mayor of the city does not adhere to Governor Greg Abbott's no mask Texas movement. Despite the lifting of wearing a mask in public, Austin City remains to enforce the protocol and other restrictions among their constituents and business establishments.
According to KENS5, the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton accused the authorities in Austin of defying and resisting Governor Abbott, along with trying to "buck state law."
ALSO READ: No Mask Texas: Biden Blasts Abbott for 'Neanderthal Thinking' in Ending Mask Mandate
Paxton vs. Austin City
Texas Attorney General Paxton posted in Twitter his letter to Austin. "We have already taken you to court under similar circumstances. You lost," the letter warned. Paxton furthered that if the city pursues to be defiant against the law that should apply in the whole state of Texas, their office will have no choice but to put them again in the court, meeting their "loss once again."
Paxton also reiterated that the liberty to decide whether to pursue or not the enforcement of mask mandate is directed only to business establishments only. This means that the City of Austin or Travis County has no jurisdiction or right to ignore the law enacted by the governor. Paxton also emphasized that the city has no authority to threaten fines nor compliance against their people.
PAxton gave Austin City and Travis county until 6 p.m. to enforce the no mask Texas mandate in their local jurisdictions.
KENS5 mentioned Austin City Mayor Steve Adler, saying that "Judge brown and I will continue to do everything within our power, continuing existing health authority orders." Adler added that they will also utilize every tool within their reach to diminish the spread of the virus and "keep many people alive as possible."
However, Texas Tribune mentioned Governor Gregg Abbott said that the announcement of no mask mandate does not set aside the safe practices that Texans have mastered over a year. He also argued that the announcement is a reminder that every Texan has their role to play when it comes to their own and others' safety.
Austin Mask Mandate
Austin City's decision to remain and continue to enforce the wearing of masks is rooted and in accordance with the City's Interim Medical Director and Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott.
As Texas Tribune quoted Adler, Escott's opinion is based on science and data "which further support CDC guidelines" who have been consistent and is reflected in the previous actions mandate he ordered in their city.
It can also be remembered that the lifting of mask mandate as announced by Abbott is based on the data showing a significant decrease in daily positive cases of COVID-19 and COVID-19 related death in the state.
RELATED ARTICLE: Several Texas Business Establishments Will Still Require Masks Despite the No Mask Mandate
WATCH: Texas workers protest Gov. Abbott lifting the mask mandate - from KVUE
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