Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Antonio, criticizing its allocation of taxpayer dollars to facilitate out-of-state abortion travel. The city had earmarked $100,000 for a "Reproductive Justice Fund," intended to assist pregnant women seeking to terminate pregnancies outside Texas, a move reportedly at odds with the state's pro-life statutes.
Attorney General Paxton argues that this appropriation breaches the Texas Constitution's Gift Clause and constitutes an ultra vires action, as municipalities are not permitted to spend public money in ways that evade state laws on abortion. To halt the fund's implementation, Paxton's Healthcare Program Enforcement Division is seeking a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief.
"The City of San Antonio is blatantly defying Texas law by using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion tourism," Paxton stated. "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."
This legal action follows a similar lawsuit against the City of Austin in September 2024, which aimed to challenge Austin's effort to allocate $400,000 for abortion-related travel.
Further details on the lawsuit can be accessed through the appropriate channels.