Texas AG: Counties should wait if gay marriage legalized

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is urging county clerks to not immediately start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples if the U.S. Supreme Court rules that gay marriage is legal.

His recommendation Thursday comes a day before the court potentially hands down the long-awaited decision.

Paxton said county clerks and justices of the peace across Texas should "wait for direction and clarity" from his office following a ruling. But county officials in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas have already said they don't plan to wait for state guidance if the court sanctions same-sex marriage.

County officials in Houston, however, have said they'll stand pat until hearing from the state.

If the Supreme Court decision does not come Friday, all eyes will shift to Monday for a ruling.