Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today sent a letter to the mayor and council members for the City of San Antonio informing them he is opening an investigation surrounding the citys decision to exclude Chick-fil-A from a concession contract that City staff recommended. By separate letter he also requested that Secretary Elaine Chao of the United States Department of Transportation open an investigation into the city of San Antonios potential violation of federal law and Transportation Department regulations when the city banned Chick-fil-A from operating a restaurant in the San Antonio International Airport based on the companys religious beliefs. Last Thursday the San Antonio city council voted to remove Chick-fil-A from a new airport concessionaire contract citing Chick-fil-A owners religious beliefs.
The City of San Antonios decision to exclude a respected vendor based on the religious beliefs associated with that company and its owners is the opposite of tolerance" Attorney General Paxton said. The citys discriminatory decision is not only out of step with Texas values but inconsistent with the Constitution and Texas law."
The First Amendment protects individuals and closely held companies from governmental restrictions based on their religious views or religious status. Additionally federal regulations governing grant money provided to the San Antonio airport prohibit religious discrimination.
To view the letters click here.
