Court Opinion

ID: 9773712
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:55:56.473826+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:56.644811
License: Public Domain

OPINION ON REHEARING
In addition to the arguments raised prior to submission, the Conners contend in their motion for rehearing that the doctrine of stare decisis has been offended by our departure from Goldman v. Pre-Fab Transit Co., 520 S.W.2d 597, 598 (Tex.Civ.App. — Houston [14th Dist.] 1975, no writ). For reasons of efficiency, fairness, and legitimacy, a court must adhere to its precedents. Weiner v. Wasson, 900 S.W.2d 316, 320 (Tex. 1995). Stare decisis, however, is not an inexorable command. Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U.S. 808, 111 S.Ct. 2597, 115 L.Ed.2d 720 (1991). Here, especially, where constitutional principles are at issue, we have a heightened duty to insure that our interpretations are correct. Tex. Ass’n of Business v. Air Control Bd., 852 S.W.2d 440, 446 (Tex.1993).
Further, as an intermediate appellate court bound by the decisions of higher tribunals, stare decisis is for us more than mere adherence to our own decisions. When a decision of this court is in conflict with higher authority, we are obliged by the doctrine of stare decisis to follow precedent established by the higher court. See City of San Antonio v. Gonzales, 737 S.W.2d 78, 80 (Tex.App. — San Antonio 1987, no writ); Atchley v. Superior Oil Co., 482 S.W.2d 883, 897 (Tex.Civ.App. — Beaumont 1972, writ refd).
Finally, the Conners argue that a divided panel should not “overrule” a former decision of the court, particularly by means of an unpublished decision. By issuing an opinion “in unpublished secrecy,” the Conners suggest that “partisan politics and personality, not precedent, guide this Court.”
A plurality opinion has little, if any, precedential value, and it constitutes no authority for the determination of future cases. University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston v. York, 871 S.W.2d 175, 177 (Tex.1994). Because a plurality opinion cannot “overrule” a former decision of the court or establish a new rule of law, it is not ordinarily suitable for publication. To meet the concerns expressed by the Conners, and because the opinion involves an issue of eon-*423tinuing public interest,1 we order the plurality and dissenting opinions in this cause be published.
Appellees’ motion for rehearing is overruled.
LEE, J., would grant rehearing.

. See Tex.R.App. P. 90(d).