San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott urging him to rethink his decision to end free summer lunches for impoverished Texas kids. In it, she argued the Republican governor’s move creates a national security threat.
“Actions such as this that impact our ability to raise smart and healthy kids are, in fact, a national security issue in the long-term,” Jones, a former Under Secretary of the Air Force, wrote.
Jones is referring to Abbott’s June veto of a $60 million federally funded Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program that provides more than $100 to Texas families living under the poverty line so they can help pay for their kids’ lunches while school is out of session.
Although the program is federally funded, Texas would have been required to spend $60 million in administrative costs over the next two fiscal years to operate it.
Despite those costs, Abbott and state lawmakers could work to find the operating money and opt into the program before its Jan. 1 deadline, Jones argued in her letter.
“It’s not too late for Texas to commit to this program for summer 2026,” she said.
Around 22% of San Antonio residents under 18 live in poverty, according to the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau.
“This decision directly impacts the most vulnerable residents of my city and our state,” Jones added.
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