Overview

• Attorney General Ken Paxton directed school districts not covered by a court order to comply with Senate Bill 10 and display Ten Commandments posters when the law takes effect Sept. 1.
• U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a preliminary injunction last week for districts named in a lawsuit, finding the mandate likely unconstitutional and coercive for students.
• Paxton said he has appealed the ruling and argues only nine districts are covered by the injunction, excluding Austin ISD and Houston ISD despite their involvement in the suit.
• SB 10 requires a 16-by-20-inch Ten Commandments display in every public-school classroom and permits schools to use privately donated posters rather than purchase them.
• Civil-liberties groups urged all districts to honor the court’s constitutional reasoning, and Republican Sen. John Cornyn publicly rebuked Paxton’s directive.