Satirical Nativity Booted From Capitol Costs Texas $340,000

The state of Texas must pay $342,000 in fees to attorneys of a nonprofit that advocates against mixing government with religion, after Gov. Greg Abbott wrongly ordered the removal of a non-Christian nativity scene from the state capitol.

Decided Friday in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, the awarded fees end a fight that began eight years ago when Abbott objected to the exhibit as “tasteless sarcasm.” Abbott, then in his first year as governor, instructed the head of the state’s preservation board to remove what the nonprofit called a Bill of Rights manger setting. ...