On Tuesday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo shared the commissioner's court had the county attorney file the lawsuit challenging Abbott's GA-38 executive order. Abbott's order prevents local Texas governments from requiring masks.
"First responders and school leaders are speaking out and standing up as Delta ravages our community. We have their back," Hidalgo wrote. "Protecting the community during an emergency is a duty, not an option for government leaders."
Despite COVID cases rising again, Abbott has said he will not impose another statewide mandate.
It would be "inappropriate to require people who already have immunity to wear a mask," Abbott said.
Abbott lifted the statewide mask requirement in March. Two months later, he announced he was banning government entities - including public schools - from mandating masks. Abbott reiterated that Texas schoolchildren will not face mask requirements as they return to school later this summer.
Both Austin ISD and Dallas ISD are going against Abbott's ban on mask mandates. Houston ISD is scheduled to take up the issue on Thursday, Aug. 12.
SEE ALSO:
Texas judge rules schools in this county can issue mask mandate despite Abbott's ban
Houston-area school districts considering changes to COVID-19 protocols amid rise in cases
Gov. Greg Abbott says he won't impose new mask mandate despite increasing COVID-19 cases
US COVID-19 cases rising again, doubling over 3 weeks; delta variant, vaccine reluctance to blame
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order prohibiting government entities from mandating masks