San Antonio’s newly approved city budget is 5.8% larger than last year’s but it does include some significant cuts. Credit: Shutterstock

City Council’s Community Health Committee voted Thursday not to advance a proposal that would allocate $100,000 of public funds to pay for out-of-state travel for people seeking legal abortion care.

The council consideration request (CCR) proposed by councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda would have provided additional funding for out-of-state abortion travel. The CCR, which was initially suggested by Mayor Ron Nirenberg, was meant to address an omission from November’s Reproductive Justice Fund.

That fund, which passed, allocated $500,000 for reproductive health education, contraceptive access, STD testing and doula training but left out abortion travel.

The purpose of the additional funding was to provide logistical support — such as covering hotels and travel expenses — for San Antonio residents forced to seek out-of-state abortions due to the near-total abortion ban in Texas. “Access to safe, affordable healthcare is a fundamental right. This was a chance for San Antonio to take a stand for the women who rely on us,” said Cabello Havrda, a mayoral candidate. “Instead, some members of the committee placed a price tag on women’s lives in our city. With maternal mortality rates soaring in Texas and the nearest clinic over 500 miles away, failing to act puts residents in danger.”

City council’s Community Health Committee is made up entirely of women on council who have made public statements about being pro-choice. However, some on the committee have expressed concern that the fund would open the city to lawsuits by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, a Republican, sued Austin over its abortion travel fund last September.

“I acknowledge that some of the committee members may have reservations about this proposal and may fear the potential threats of litigation,” said Laura Molinar with immigrant reproductive justice organization Sueños Sin Fronteras in comments at the meeting. “However our community is calling upon you as our elected leaders to demonstrate the courage and commitment necessary to advocate for this vital support in San Antonio.”

Councilwomen Teri Castillo (District 5) and Phyllis Viagran (District 3) voted in support of the funds, while Marina Alderete Gavito (District 7) voted against and Adriana Rocha Garcia (District 4) abstained. Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (District 1) was absent from the meeting as she was in Paris for the Spurs’ exposition games against the Indiana Pacers.

Gavito, who’s pro-choice, told the Current she voted against the proposal because it would have used taxpayer money.

“The city’s responsibility with tax dollars is for core services such as police, fire, infrastructure, solid waste and housing,” Gavito said. “Given the city’s approaching budget deficit, it would be in the interest of all parties for these reproductive rights organizations to meet their fundraising goal without relying on the city’s taxpayer money.”

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This article appears in Jan 22 – Feb 4, 2025.

Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.