Texas Attorney General Warns Some Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Orders Are 'Unlawful'
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and outgoing Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday saying some of the requirements in their local public health orders are unlawful and likely to confuse residents.
Paxton sent similar letters to leaders in Dallas County, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio.
The letters come four days after Austin and Travis County extended and updated their stay-at-home guidelines following Gov. Greg Abbotts recent order allowing certain businesses, like salons and barbershops, to open across the state with certain restrictions.
Unfortunately, a few Texas counties and cities seem to have confused recommendations with requirements and have grossly exceeded state law to impose their own will on private citizens and businesses, Paxton said in a statement. These letters seek to avoid any public confusion as we reopen the state. I trust that local officials will act quickly to correct any orders that unlawfully conflict with Texas law and Governor Abbotts Executive Orders.
Read more: https://www.kut.org/post/texas-attorney-general-warns-some-austin-travis-county-covid-19-orders-are-unlawful