The emergency mask order issued by Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is being challenged in court.
Judge Craig Marcotte has issued a temporary restraining order (TR0) that prohibits enforcement of the penalty provisions of the order until a hearing on Tues. July 14.
At that time he will decide if the TRO should be extended until the case is heard on Mon. July 20. Most "legal eagles" expect the extension of the TRO.
Likewise, they believe that the litigation has merit and that the penalty provisions of the order (cutting off water supply, pulling permits) will be stricken.
Any ruling adverse to the plaintiffs or the city of Shreveport can be promptly appealed and any retraining orders continued during the appeal process.
Its safe to say the final resolution of this controversy will take several weeks, and maybe as long as a month.
Perkins could play "belt and suspenders" while awaiting the judicial resolution. He could introduce an ordinance containing the same restrictions and penalties as his executive order.
Perkins has the authority to call special meetings of the council and thus he could ramrod a vote on a mask ordinance BEFORE the hearing on July 20.
Of course, they is no guarantee that Perkins can garner a majority vote to pass a mask ordinance with penalties.
The Parish Commission just enacted a mask ordinance with penalties that was approved on a 7-5 vote. Most politicos think Perkins could get the needed votes.
The ball is clearly in the mayor's court. Whether Perkins wants to a game of bluff with the courts is an open question.