A federal judge has ruled that Abbott’s executive order, also known as GA-38, banning mask mandates in schools, is a violation of The Americans With Disabilities Act. With the new ruling, school districts can now implement the health and safety precaution that is meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Judge Lee Yeakel’s summary that GA-38 violates federal law caps off a lengthy battle between Republican lawmakers and school districts around the state. After Abbott announced his executive order, several school superintendents responded in defiance by saying they were going to implement mask mandates anyway.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton then began suing school districts over the mask mandates. He pledged that there would be even more lawsuits if “lawlessness continues throughout the state.”Yesterday, Paxton tweeted that he disagreed with Judge Yeakel’s ruling. “My Agency is considering all legal avenues to challenge this decision,” he wrote on Twitter.
Photo: Jena Ardell/Getty Images
A longtime writer and journalist, Jessica was thrilled to join the Texas Signal where she could utilize her unique perspective on politics and culture. As the Features and Opinion Editor, she is responsible for coordinating editorials and segments from diverse authors. She is also the host of the podcast the Tex Mix, as well as the co-host for the weekly SignalCast. Jessica attended Harvard College, is a onetime fitness blogger, and has now transitioned to recreational runner (for which her joints are thankful).
