DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – A Dallas County District Judge, on Tuesday, granted a temporary restraining order against Governor Greg Abbott’s ban on mask requirements by local governments.
The TRO was requested by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins in response to a lawsuit filed against him over his mask requirement inside the Dallas County Commissioners Court.
Governor Abbott reiterated on Tuesday that the time for mandates is over.
“We are all working to protect Texas children and those most vulnerable among us, but violating the Governor’s executive orders—and violating parental rights—is not the way to do it,” said Abbott’s Press Secretary Renae Eze. “Governor Abbott has been clear that the time for mask mandates is over; now is the time for personal responsibility. Parents and guardians have the right to decide whether their child will wear a mask or not, just as with any other decision in their child’s life. Governor Abbott has spent his entire time in office fighting for the rights and freedoms of all Texans, and our office continues working with the Office of the Attorney General to do just that. The best defense against this virus is the COVID vaccines, and we continue to strongly encourage all eligible Texans to get vaccinated.”
Jenkins said he believes Abbott’s order is meant to appeal to his political base.
“He’s looking at what Republican primary voters and donors, and people that might support him if he were to ever run for President, want to hear,” Said Jenkins. “What they want to hear is that he is not going to require anyone to do anything that they don’t feel like doing.”
In her decision, 116th Civil District Court Judge Tonya Parker said Abbott’s order is not a “necessary action to combat the pandemic.” The ruling paves the way for a potential mask requirement in Dallas County.
Moments ago, I received a copy of The Hon. Tonya Parker’s order enjoining @GovAbbott from stopping local mask requirements here. I’ll get feedback from health,education and business leaders tonight and in the morning with the anticipation of issuing an emergency order tomorrow.
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) August 11, 2021
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