Texas Supreme Court Blocks San Antonio School Mask Warrant – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a mask warrant issued by San Antonio and Bexar County for its public schools, following efforts by some cities, counties and school districts to challenge the government’s ban. of Republican government Greg Abbott.

The sentence came in a lawsuit by San Antonio and Bexar County, one of at least nine that have filed city, county and school district lawsuits against Abbott for banning mask warrants.

Amid an increase in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed many hospitals across the state, at least 10 counties and cities and 63 Texas districts or school systems have imposed mask warrants to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Texas Supreme Court ruling does not immediately affect the lawsuit filed in Dallas County, where mask warrants remain in effect.

Abbott has argued that a law known as the Texas Disaster Act gives it broad power in deciding how best to respond to emergencies, including whether it bans mask warrants during a pandemic.

In an emergency order issued last month, Abbott reaffirmed his ban on mask warrants by any state, county or local government entity.

Counties, cities and school districts say Abbott has exceeded his authority. Dallas and Harris counties, two of the most populous counties in the state, are among those that have imposed mask warrants.

Last week, a judge granted Bexar and San Antonio County an interim measure that suspended Abbott’s ban pending trial in that lawsuit. The Texas Attorney General’s Office asked the state high court to suspend the ban. The Texas Supreme Court had previously suspended temporary restraining orders issued in favor of Bexar County, San Antonio and Dallas County.

In its Thursday order, the court said oversight of decisions on masked warrants rested with the governor and that “this status quo” should remain in force as long as the courts examine the matter.

“This case, and others like it, is not about whether people should wear masks or whether the government should get them to do so. Rather, these cases ask the courts to determine which government officials have the legal authority to deciding what the government’s position on this issue will be the questions will be, ”the court said.

The court has not yet made a final decision on legal issues related to mask warrants.

“The Texas Supreme Court has sided with the law and the decision to enforce mask warrants rests with the legislative authority granted by the governor. Mask warrants across our state are illegal.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement.

In a statement on Facebook, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said, “We will not let an ongoing legal battle distract us from the actual fight against COVID-19. Get the vax. Wear a mask.” .

The judges handling the lawsuits against Abbott have granted several temporary restraining orders and interim measures that have allowed these masked warrants to continue as the cases go through the courts.

It was not immediately clear how these warrants would be affected by Thursday’s high court ruling.