Texas AG looking into ‘every avenue’ to stop Austin mask mandate

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said on Wednesday that his office was looking into “every avenue” to block the city of Austin’s mask mandate.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) lifted the state’s mask mandate on Wednesday, making it the latest out of over a dozen states to ease the coronavirus prevention method. 

However, the Austin City Council passed an ordinance from the city’s health council on Tuesday requiring face masks inside Travis County businesses. Individuals could be charged for refusing to leave a business for not wearing a mask.

The ordinance stays in effect until July.

“The state-wide mask mandate is lifted today. Yet once again, @MayorAdler [Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D)] and @AndyBrownATX [Travis County Judge Andy Brown] are trying to figure out how they can buck state law and resist @GovAbbott,” Paxton’s office said on Twitter.

“We’re looking at every avenue available to stop them. More to come,” his office tweeted.

The state-wide mask mandate is lifted today. Yet once again, @MayorAdler and @AndyBrownATX are trying to figure out how they can buck state law and resist @GovAbbott.

We’re looking at every avenue available to stop them. More to come.

— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) March 10, 2021

The Hill has reached out to Brown and Adler for comment.

Throughout the pandemic, state officials in Texas clashed with major cities over the enforcement of mask mandates. Cities in the Lone Star State often wanted to impose stricter guidelines than Abbott put in place. 

Paxton previously sued the city of Austin in December seeking to stop it from enforcing a ban on indoor dining for the New Year’s holiday.

Austin isn’t the only city planning to enforce a mask mandate. According to a local ABC affiliate, the city of Round Rock is also enforcing its mask mandate.

Meanwhile, companies in Texas are still requiring masks in their businesses despite Abbott’s easing of restrictions.