Judge Sides with Austin in Texas Mask Trial

Judge Sides with Austin in Texas Mask Trial

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A Texas judge supported the city of Austin in Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) ‘s lawsuit over the city’ s mask mandate.

Judge Lora Livingston on Friday refused to grant the state a temporary injunction, according to NBC affiliate, KXAN.

The decision maintains the mandate in force for at least two more weeks and another hearing is scheduled for March 26, reports KXAN. Livingston could change his decision after hearing more arguments.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler praised the decision on Twitter, saying “Good news! We learned this morning that Austin’s mask rules will remain in effect for the next two weeks. We returned to the court on March 26. ”

“Whatever happens, we will continue to be guided by doctors and data. Masking works, ”he tweeted.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown also shared the decision on Twitter.

“After today’s hearing, the requirement to wear masks at Travis County and Austin companies remains in effect,” wrote Brown. “Thanks to our county attorney [Delia Garcia] and team to fight to keep our community safe. ”

Paxton filed a lawsuit against Adler, Brown and Austin’s interim medical director and health authority Mark Escott on Thursday over the city’s decision to maintain its local mask mandate after state restrictions were lifted.

The attorney general threatened Adler with a lawsuit on Wednesday if the mask’s mandate was not removed, hours after saying his office was looking for “all available avenues” to prevent the mandate.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced on March 2 that he was withdrawing the mask’s mandate across the state, and his order went into effect on Wednesday. The order restricted the power to impose restrictions on county judges only if the cases in their jurisdiction increased for a consecutive week.

The city of Austin, however, decided to mandate masks be used within Travis County businesses.

The Hill contacted the offices of Adler and Paxton for comment.

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