Abbott, Paxton Appeal Dallas County Mask Mandate

(Austin, TX) — The legal battle over mask mandates in Texas is headed to another court.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have asked the state Fifth Court of Appeals to make a ruling. The pair are particularly irked at Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins for issuing a mask requirement after a circuit court judge granted a temporary restraining order. Abbott says his executive order banning mask mandates is legal under the Texas Disaster Act.

Jenkins and other local leaders have argued the governor’s order violates the act. Paxton says he expects the appeals court to rule in the state’s favor.