Overview

• Judge Annabell Perez issued a temporary restraining order barring Attorney General Ken Paxton from prosecuting or initiating proceedings to revoke Powered by People’s charter.
• The order cites a need to prevent imminent irreparable injury, clarifies it is not a merits ruling, and is scheduled to expire on Sept. 2 unless extended.
• Perez wrote that Paxton was singling out the organization based on constitutionally protected activity and referenced his U.S. Senate campaign in assessing potential political targeting.
• The ruling says Paxton acknowledged he lacked details to substantiate some allegations as he pursued efforts to challenge the group’s business license.
• A separate Tarrant County injunction has restricted the group’s fundraising and spending, Paxton has sought to jail Beto O’Rourke for alleged violations, and Powered by People has reported roughly $1 million in support for Democrats who left the state over redistricting.