Texas Supreme Court blocks San Antonio schools’ mandate
HOUSTON – The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a mask mandate issued by San Antonio and Bexar County for their public schools – a blow to efforts by some cities, counties and school districts to defy Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on such measures.
The ruling came in a lawsuit by San Antonio and Bexar County, one of at least nine that have been filed by cities, counties and school districts against Abbott over his ban on mask mandates. Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases that have overwhelmed many hospitals across the state, at least 10 counties and cities and 63 school districts or systems in Texas have imposed mask mandates to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Abbott has argued that a law known as the Texas Disaster Act gives him broad power in deciding how best to respond to emergency situations, including whether to ban mask mandates during a pandemic. In an emergency order issued last month, Abbott reaffirmed his ban on mask mandates by any state, county or local government entity.
The counties, cities and school districts say Abbott has exceeded his authority. Dallas and Harris counties, two of the state’s most populous counties, are among those that have imposed mask mandates.
Last week, a judge granted Bexar County and San Antonio a temporary injunction that put Abbott’s ban on hold pending trial in that lawsuit. The Texas Attorney General’s Office asked the state high court to stay the injunction. The Texas Supreme Court had previously stayed temporary restraining orders issued in favor of Bexar County, San Antonio and Dallas County.
In its order Thursday, the court said oversight of decisions on mask mandates has been up to the governor and “that status quo” should remain in place while the courts examine the issue.