AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed three lawsuits Friday afternoon against six school districts that have issued mask mandates in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order.
In Central Texas, the Round Rock and Elgin school districts are named in the suits, along with the Richardson, Galveston, Spring, and Sherman ISDs.
"Not only are superintendents across Texas openly violating state law, but they are using district resources - that ought to be used for teacher merit raises or other educational benefits - to defend their unlawful political maneuvering," said Paxton in a statement. "If districts choose to spend their money on legal fees, they must do so knowing that my office is ready and willing to litigate these cases. I have full confidence that the courts will side with the law – not acts of political defiance."
Abbott issued an executive order in May that aimed to block local governments and school districts from issuing mandates requiring masks. However, a number of districts across the state have challenged the order, instituting mask mandates and requiring staff, students, and other campus visitors to wear face coverings while indoors.
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Paxton's office said additional lawsuits against additional districts not in compliance with Abbott's order could be filed. The AG's office is maintaining a list of districts and governmental entities that are not complying with Abbott's order.
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