“It’s With Trumpism In The Grave”

“You and local health authorities have until 6:00pm today to rescind any mask mandates or business-operating restrictions and come into full compliance with GA-34. Otherwise, on behalf of the State of Texas, I will sue you.” https://t.co/LcDrC7yl7d

— Rich Duszak, MD (@RichDuszak) March 11, 2021

It’s interesting how this story has become a national one. I wish that attention meant Paxton would be shamed into abandoning the effort, but you can’t shame a whore or a jackass. Still, there’s a value to the city’s stance.

I think the city (more the county, actually) can claim the authority to protect public health in the absence of a statewide order from the governor (how do you override something with nothing?). But the Texas courts will probably disagree with me. However, the time between now and a final judicial decision can be a time when the order of Travis County stays in effect; and that’s better for public health than nothing.

I also think the general public is more interested in public health than GOP leaders in Texas. Continually fighting to challenge public health doesn’t strike me as a winning strategy. And the Reagan era argument that government closest to the people is government that is best? Well, the GOP is busy shoveling dirt over that grave even as one of the most sweeping federal laws since LBJ begins to help average Americans.

Paxton may end up winning this fight. But the GOP has lost the war.