Austin won’t be allowed to restrict dining-in at restaurants, Texas Supreme Court says
Texas Tribune
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A bartender makes a drink for a customer on May 22, 2020 Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
The Supreme Court of Texas on Friday blocked Austin-area orders that restricted dining-in and drinking at restaurants through January 3. The order followed a New Year’s Day appeal by Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced the orders on Dec. 29 in a bid to slow spiraling coronavirus infections and hospitalizations going into New Year’s Eve. They were quickly challenged by Gov. Greg Abbott and by Paxton, who described the orders as “needlessly oppressive.” Both officials exhorted Texas restaurants to remain open in defiance of the orders, which were upheld by a district judge Thursday. In a further blow to the state, Texas’ Third Court of Appeals swiftly rejected an app
District judge rules to allow dine-in restrictions in Austin-Travis County
Legal battle over curfew between Austin and state appears far from over
A judge ruled that the city could limit dine-in hours for bars and restaurants due to COVID concerns but that didn t stop some businesses from staying open. FOX 7 Austin s John Krinjak has the details.
AUSTIN, Texas - A district judge has ruled in favor of the city of Austin and Travis County in a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General against a recent dine-in curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19.
After hearing from both representatives of Austin-Travis County and the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum ruled to allow the city and county s new dine-in restrictions.
A judge ruled Austin and Travis County can restrict on-site dining overnight from Thursday until Sunday. Gov. Greg Abbott says restaurants should ignore the curfew.
The
Texas Supreme Court has blocked Austin’s limitations on dine-in services over New Year’s Eve weekend. The highest civil court in the state issued its decision last night (Jan. 1), just hours before Austin-Travis County limitation’s on dine-in food and beverage services were set to begin at 10:30pm for a second night.
The court’s brief decision came a day after a Travis County District judge had denied Texas Attorney General
Ken Paxton’s petition for a temporary injunction and a temporary restraining order against the local orders. Following a remote hearing before the
201st District Court on New Year s Eve, Judge
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin after Democrat Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, another Democrat, imposed a last-minute,