U.S. Supreme Court upholds Austin's ban on digital billboards

A divided U.S. Supreme Court sided with Austin in a fight over digital billboards — handing the city and Texas skyline preservationists a huge victory in a free speech battle that began in 2017 against two advertising companies.

For decades, Austin has prohibited digital billboards anywhere except for on the premise of the business doing the advertising. The city says the ban not only keeps drivers focused on the road, but also maintains the skyline's beauty.

Austin is far from an outlier in Texas; the prohibition exists in 90% of cities.

On Thursday, in an opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the high court said Austin's ban does not violate free speech and can continue.

Four other justices sided with Austin: Stephen Breyer, John Roberts, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/04/21/supreme-court-upholds-austin-ban-digital-billboards/7402483001/