Texas’ rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ Attorney General Ken Paxton today (Wednesday, Oct. 1) “issued a formal legal advisory to all Texas public school districts regarding their obligations under Senate Bill 10, which requires the display of the Ten Commandments in every public elementary and secondary school classroom,” according to a press release from the Office of the Attorney General, despite the fact that a federal district judge has already issued an injunction blocking the law for certain school districts.
The advisory “provides detailed guidance on the specifications mandated by Texas Education Code and makes clear that the State of Texas will vigorously enforce this law,” the press release notes, with Paxton quoted as saying, “The Ten Commandments are indisputably a cornerstone of America’s moral and legal heritage. Our founders drew upon the eternal truths captured in these commandments to form a nation built on law and ordered liberty.
“Now more than ever, these timeless principles are needed in our classrooms,” Paxton continued. “My office will proudly defend districts that comply with SB 10 against any legal challenges from the radical Left. Texas schools can implement this law with confidence, knowing they have the full backing of my office.”
Paxton — who managed to sidestep federal charges of securities fraud by agreeing to pay $300,000 in restitution, do 100 hours of community services and 15 hours of training in legal ethics and who is currently going through a divorce from his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, who cited “biblical grounds” when she filed for divorce — is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 GOP primary.
The Texas Legislature passed SB 10 during its 2025 regular session, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law on June 21, with it set to go into effect with the start of the 2025-26 school year. The Texas ACLU filed suit July 2 on behalf of the Texas American Federation of Teachers and a group of 15 multi-faith and non-religious Texas families, challenging SB 10 on the basis that it violates the First Amendment’s separation of church and state and the right to free religious exercise.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a preliminary injunction halting implementation of SB 10 on Aug. 20. The injunction applies on to the 11 school districts involved in the lawsuit.
— Tammye Nash