Texas Supreme Court Sides With AG On Lockdowns

The Texas Tribune reports:

The Supreme Court of Texas on Friday blocked Austin-area orders that restricted dining-in and drinking at restaurants through January 3. The order followed a New Year’s Day appeal by Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced the orders on Dec. 29 in a bid to slow spiraling coronavirus infections and hospitalizations going into New Year’s Eve. They were quickly challenged by Gov. Greg Abbott and by Paxton, who described the orders as “needlessly oppressive.”

Both officials exhorted Texas restaurants to remain open in defiance of the orders, which were upheld by a district judge Thursday. Brown said in a statement he was “disappointed” by the decision “as it limits our ability to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Read the full article.

AG Paxton thanks court for ending “oppressive, illegal” curfew:
“Local declarations cannot order needless shutdowns in conflict with the governor’s order, and these orders demonstrated blatant contempt for the citizens and businesses of our great state.”

— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) January 2, 2021

Texas Supreme Court blocks Austin, Travis County dine-in curfew https://t.co/urHPqSZRSD via @statesman

— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) January 2, 2021