Joe.My.God. LGBT News
CBS News Dallas reports:
After supporting the actions of a Dallas salon owner who was jailed for violating executive stay at home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Greg Abbott has now modified his executive orders and eliminated confinement as a punishment for violating the mandates.
“Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical, and I will not allow it to happen,” said Governor Abbott.
“That is why I am modifying my executive orders to ensure confinement is not a punishment for violating an order. This order is retroactive to April 2nd, supersedes local orders and if correctly applied should free Shelley Luther.”
Austin’s ABC News affiliate reports:
A Texas salon owner jailed for reopening her business amid the coronavirus pandemic has found her latest champion in Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who offered to foot her $7,000 fine as well as serve house arrest on her behalf.
The Texas mother was also issued an additional $500 fine for every day she remained open before May 8, when Gov. Greg Abbott’s restrictions begin to lift for businesses like salons and barber shops.
7 days in jail, no bail and a $7K fine is outrageous. No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids. #txlege #TexansHelpingTexans https://t.co/gdtMLAHFV5
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) May 6, 2020
Throwing Texans in jail whose biz’s shut down through no fault of their own is wrong.
I am eliminating jail for violating an order, retroactive to April 2, superseding local orders.
Criminals shouldn’t be released to prevent COVID-19 just to put business owners in their place.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 7, 2020
UPDATE: And she’s out.
BREAKING: Texas Supreme Court orders Shelley Luther, imprisoned for contempt for violating order to close her Dallas salon, RELEASED from prison.https://t.co/sYh9wVWptf
— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) May 7, 2020