Yes!
The letter to Austin and Travis County highlights five aspects of the local order implemented by Mayor Adler and Judge Eckhardt.
Places of Worship: The letter states the local order attempts to restrict essential services, including those provided by houses of worship
Contact-tracing: The letter alleges the city’s order encourages restaurants to keep track of customers that dine-in the restaurant. The letter acknowledges that the order only recommends keeping a tally of names, but it “forces restaurants into submission by threatening to release the names of the restaurants that don’t comply.” The letter goes on calling the city’s order “Orwellian” and “raises privacy concerns.”
Masks: The letter states neither the County nor the city can impose civil or criminal penalties for not wearing a mask in public.
Shelter-in-Place: The letter alleges Gov. Abbott’s executive order does not include a mandatory shelter-in-place, but the city/county order does. The state’s order only requires Texans to minimize social gatherings and in-person contact outside of the same household.
Criminal Offenses: The letter states the local health order attempts to impose a criminal penalty for violations. Gov. Abbott modified the state’s order on May 7 eliminating the penalty of confinement for violating state/local orders.
And they respond with: See previous article
In response, Travis County issued a statement voicing its disagreement with the letter from Paxton.
“Travis County has received the letter and our county attorneys are reviewing it. Our initial thought is we disagree with the Attorney General.”
The City of Austin, meanwhile, released a statement on the letter, saying:
“The City’s intent was to adopt an Order that complies with the Governor’s Executive Orders while continuing to encourage our citizens to stay home and work safe. We are confident that we accomplished just that.”
Austin Mayor Steve Adler sent a statement as well, echoing the belief the local orders do not conflict with the governor’s order:
“Up to this point, we have avoided the naked politicization of the virus crisis. I will not follow the AG down that road. The City’s Order complements, incorporates, and does not conflict with the Governor’s Order. We will continue working to keep our community safe to the fullest extent allowed by law.”