The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Dave Eagle, was a follow up to a resolution that had been tabled by the court at the end of April.
“The first resolution that I brought to this court had headstrong language in it, for some people,” said Eagle. “It had strong language because it declared that the governor’s orders are unconstitutional, which to this day I still believe and time is going to prove me out. But I took all of that out.”
Eagle said that the new resolution was modeled after one passed by a town in California.
“It’s very soft. It’s just basically saying we stand up for our businesses here; we stand up for our citizens here,” said Eagle.
The framing of the new resolution is essentially the same as those recently passed by Eastland and Stephens counties.
County Judge Ron Massingill and Commissioners Ron Cotton and Bruce White were still critical of the new resolution and expressed concerns that using the term “essential” in a way that differed from Abbott’s orders may nullify the disaster declaration and limit the CARES Act funding that the county will receive through the state.
Hood County was allocated $2.5 million and has already received $500,000 of those funds.
The funds can be used for expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic, including medical and payroll expenses, as well as for some economic support to businesses affected by the lockdown.
After White questioned the practicality of the resolution, Eagle conceded that it was as “symbolic” as the “Second Amendment sanctuary” resolution that the county passed last October, which declared that they would not enforce any unconstitutional firearm laws.
He said that the pro-Second Amendment resolution could be tested if the governor issues an executive order asking county sheriffs to confiscate guns.
“We’ve already passed a resolution up here saying we’re not gonna stand for that,” said Eagle. “Now, does that have the effect of the law? No, not really. But it…shows our people that we’re going to at least put up a fight.”
Similarly, the pro-business resolution is meant to show constituents where the county leaders stand on the lockdown and reopening.
At the request of Commissioner James Deaver, Eagle agreed to remove a paragraph which stated that “Hood County shall not, in accordance with state and federal law, take any direct action against any businesses or individuals based solely on their actual or perceived business status.”
The court also agreed to a second amendment from Masingill to state in the concluding line that they consider “all individuals essential” instead of “all businesses essential.”
With those two amendments, the commissioners unanimously agreed to the resolution.
State Rep. Mike Lang (R-Granbury), who was at the meeting in support of the resolution, posted a copy of the resolution here.
Lang is also running for the court to fill White’s seat. He is currently in a GOP runoff with Jack Wilson.
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Daniel Friend
Daniel Friend is the Marketing and Media Manager for The Texan. After graduating with a double-major in Political Science and Humanities, he wrote for The Texan as a reporter through June 2022. In his spare time, you're likely to find him working on The Testimony of Calvin Lewis, an Abolition of Man-inspired novel and theatrical podcast.