San Antonio City Council Faces Backlash Over Reproductive Justice Fund Amid Budget Controversy

San Antonio City Council Budget Update: A Controversial Fund at the Center of Debate

In San Antonio, discussions around the city’s budget have seen some heated moments recently, particularly surrounding a fund that has sparked both passion and frustration. Last year, City Council found itself embroiled in debates over a Reproductive Justice Fund worth $500,000, aimed at helping women access abortion services, among other healthcare needs. Fast forward to this year’s budget discussions, and while the fund remains a topic of interest, it barely made a splash in the council’s recent talks.

The Background

As the council prepared to finalize the 2024 annual budget, it faced pushback from some members over this small but significant fund, which, in the grand scheme of the city’s whopping $3.7 billion budget, seemed like a minor piece. Especially vocal was District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte, who abstained from voting on the spending plan due to concerns centered around the fund.

The fund, which will be managed by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, is intended to cover a wide range of services, from pregnancy tests and emergency contraception to doula training and initiatives that tackle food insecurity. However, it also aims at assisting women seeking abortions, especially those needing to travel out of state.

What’s Happening This Year?

As discussions resumed in September, council members were looking for a way to bolster the fund, especially after some hopeful predictions that it might receive additional support. Junda Woo, medical director of Metro Health, initially indicated that an increase to $400,000 was possible for the upcoming fiscal year starting October 1. However, she later stated that she intended to say $500,000—yet no new funds made their way into this year’s budget, leaving some council members scratching their heads.

The fund’s champion, District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo, expressed her disappointment upon learning shortly before the budget vote that no extra dollars were allocated. “That’s a bit frustrating,” she acknowledged, indicating a desire to revisit this topic in upcoming council meetings. “I would have pushed for a funding boost if I had the full picture,” she added, emphasizing the need for better communication.

Voices from the Community

The absence of new funding has also ruffled feathers among local abortion-rights advocates. Makayla Montoya Frazier, co-executive director of the Buckle Bunnies Fund, which supports women looking for out-of-state abortion services, shared her concerns after an incident where she was escorted out of City Hall while advocating for the Reproductive Justice Fund. She took to social media, expressing her frustration that the city did not uphold its commitment to support this crucial fund.

Adding to the mixed emotions, local reproductive rights groups—such as Jane’s Due Process, AVOW, and Lilith Fund—have united to form the San Antonio Reproductive Justice Coalition. Their mission is to push for more access to abortion and overall reproductive health care. Following the city’s decision, they issued a press release criticizing the lack of additional funding for the Justice Fund.

Legal Wranglings

San Antonio’s efforts to create the Reproductive Justice Fund have not come without legal challenges. In the fall of last year, anti-abortion groups filed a lawsuit against the city over the fund, referencing Texas Senate Bill 8, a stringent law that essentially bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. While a judge dismissed the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are currently appealing that decision.

Looking Ahead

With everything still in motion, the City Council is set for further discussions in October regarding which nonprofits can tap into the fund and how the money can be used. Until then, the controversy over the Reproductive Justice Fund will likely remain a hot topic in San Antonio, with community members and council members awaiting more clarity on how the city will support women’s health in a year that has seen so much turmoil around reproductive rights.