Alleging in their original complaint that they want to “unshackle Texas elected officials,” four cities and 16 elected officials have sued Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and the state to stop enforcement of criminal penalties in the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA).
The plaintiffs allege in their original complaint in City of Alpine, et al. v. Abbott, et al. that TOMA, as interpreted by a series of opinions by the Texas attorney general and appellate courts, “prevents elected officials from doing what they are elected to do — speak in public or private on issues facing the public.” The plaintiffs filed the suit Dec. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in Pecos.
