Lawsuit challenges San Antonio’s $100,000 Reproductive Justice Fund as violation of Texas law and the state constitution’s Gift Clause protections
San Antonio, Texas – In a significant legal challenge, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a lawsuit against the City of San Antonio, accusing it of improperly using taxpayer dollars to fund travel for abortions outside the state. This action comes as part of a broader push against cities that attempt to circumvent Texas’s strict anti-abortion laws.
The lawsuit centers around San Antonio’s recent allocation of $100,000 to a “Reproductive Justice Fund.” According to the complaint filed by Paxton’s office, this fund was specifically established to assist pregnant women in traveling to states where abortion is more accessible, directly opposing Texas’s legislative measures designed to protect unborn children.
Under current Texas law, local governments are prohibited from using public funds to facilitate abortion services, which includes any related travel. The Attorney General’s office argues that San Antonio’s actions not only defy state laws but also breach the Texas Constitution’s Gift Clause. This clause prevents the use of state money for private purposes without a clear public benefit.
“The City of San Antonio is blatantly defying Texas law by using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion tourism,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Beyond being an egregious misuse of public funds, it’s an attack on the pro-life values of our state. I will not stand by while rogue cities use tax dollars to circumvent state law and take the innocent lives of unborn children.”
In response to the alleged violation, the lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief to prevent the implementation of the fund, aiming to stop any further expenditures for the purpose of abortion travel.
This is not the first time Attorney General Paxton has targeted local initiatives supporting abortion access. In September 2024, he filed a similar lawsuit against the City of Austin, which had set aside $400,000 for aiding abortion-related travel. These consistent legal actions underscore his commitment to uphold Texas’s anti-abortion statutes and challenge any local efforts perceived as contradicting state law.
As the legal proceedings commence, the implications of this lawsuit could resonate well beyond San Antonio, setting a precedent for how other cities within Texas could handle reproductive rights moving forward. Both supporters and opponents of abortion rights will be watching closely, as the outcome could significantly influence the ongoing national dialogue around reproductive justice and state-level abortion restrictions.
To read the lawsuit, click here.Top of Form
