Thursday, August 19, 2021

BREAKING NEWS: TEXAS SUPREME COURT DENIES ABBOTT'S REQUEST TO BLOCK TRAVIS COUNTY'S MASK MANDATE

ABC 13 News

AUSTIN, Texas (KTRK) -- The Texas Supreme Court has ruled against Gov. Greg Abbott's request to block Travis County's mask mandate.

This means as of Thursday evening, the mask mandate in Travis County (and any other school district in the state including the Brownsville Independent School District who filed a lawsuit against Abbott) will remain in effect.

Last week, Galveston defied Abbott's executive order and issued a mask mandate for students and staff ahead of the first day of school.

The Harris County Attorney's Office recently announced it was filing a lawsuit challenging the governor's order. 

Hours later, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo explained why the county's public health department was issuing a mask mandate for children ages two and older for all county-area public schools and non-religious private schools.

"I've spoken to all the superintendents," Hidalgo said in a press conference on Thursday. "I've spoken with teachers and parents, heard from them, and the overwhelming message was they need an advocate. They need an advocate, a local directive, local clarity on what the situation is. The situation is urgent. The situation is dire, because of how transmissible the variant is and because the schools are starting soon. At the same time, we had these legal developments."

On Thursday, Hidalgo announced the Texas Supreme Court also denied the governor's request to block Harris County's mask mandate, calling it a "victory for our kids' health."

"This is an important decision," said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. "It means Harris County's orders mandating masks for employees and students stand for now. Our lawsuit against the Governor will continue, and we'll keep giving all we've got to ensure local officials and school districts can protect our students and immunocompromised. I'm hopeful today's decision also means the Texas Supreme Court is taking a hard look at whether Governor Abbott is misusing the Disaster Act and needs to be reined in."

According to Abbott's order, those who defy the order will face a $1,000 charge.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brownsville wins Pony League World Series championship

Anonymous said...

A Brownsville 14-and-under team won the Dick’s Sporting Goods PONY League World Series Championship game Wednesday night in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, defeating a Youngstown, Ohio, team 11-10 and becoming the first Pony League team from the Rio Grande Valley to take home the championship trophy.

Let's give them a parade on the UNUSED BIKE TRAILS DA MAYOR LEADING THE PARADE REMEMBER HE'S RUNNING FOR RELECTION LETS HOPE HE LOSES

JOHN SHERGOLD said...

Unbelievable arrogance of Abbott. Filed directly to state Supreme Court to bypass courts of appeals over the state of Texas. Its beyond disbelief the stance he takes on not requiring masks for our kids, it is his open disregard for established precedent and proper procedures. There is no compelling reason to bypass the courts of appeals, I'm happy our supreme court recognized that and held firm against Abbott and AG Paxton.

Anonymous said...



Do not mess with Texas's children. Keep them healthy and alive. Provide them with all the necessary items: free masks, clean rest rooms, clean water etc
to be safe. Parents, protect your kids at school.

Anonymous said...

The judges don't wear mask too.

Anonymous said...

Let's close schools again. We Mexicans dont care about education...that's for suckers..

Anonymous said...

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello the governor and the AG make a fine team sent them to Hollywood

Anonymous said...

August 22, 2021 at 2:36 AM

Mistake it's we hillbillys baboso

rita