Dr. Tim Westley Demands Accountability: Reject Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Travel in San Antonio

By Tim Westley, PhD.

If you want to ignite a passionate debate, mention the word abortion. The issue divides people into two camps—those for it and those against it. Regardless of where you stand, abortion is an emotionally charged and deeply polarizing topic. It is a political grenade that the San Antonio City Council continues to throw, attempting to bypass Texas abortion restrictions.

Texas law, notably Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), also known as the “Heartbeat Bill,” and subsequent laws following the Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, have established strong protections for the unborn. These laws have resulted in women seeking abortions traveling out of state or turning to alternative methods, such as medication abortions obtained illegally. Despite this legal landscape, the San Antonio City Council has repeatedly tried to circumvent these protections.

Their first attempt to allocate taxpayer dollars to the so-called "Reproductive Justice Fund" failed after a public outcry and legal threats. Initially designed to fund abortion-related travel, the plan was stripped of its travel provisions due to lawsuits. Yet, on November 22, 2024, five council members—led by Councilwoman Melissa Cabello-Havrda, who is expected to run for mayor in 2025—proposed an additional $100,000 to cover abortion travel costs.

The answer to this proposal must be clear: No, No, No, No, and No!
Not one penny of taxpayer money should fund abortion travel. Period.

A Better Use for $100,000

There are countless ways this money could benefit San Antonio families, businesses, and communities without contributing to the destruction of innocent, unborn lives. Here’s how $100,000 could make a meaningful impact:

1. Public Safety and Community Support

Emergency Equipment for First Responders: Equip firefighters and police officers with life-saving tools.
Neighborhood Safety Initiatives: Install better lighting and surveillance cameras in high-crime areas.

2. Homelessness and Housing Assistance

Temporary Shelters or Transitional Housing: Provide a safe haven for families facing homelessness.
Support Homeless Resource Centers: Help expand resources for the city’s most vulnerable.

3. Mental Health and Wellness

Counseling Services: Advocate for state and federal funding to provide mental health and addiction recovery services.
Mobile Mental Health Outreach: Fund mobile units to provide mental health support in underserved areas.

4. Veterans' Support

Job Training Programs: Fund workshops to help veterans transition to civilian careers.
Healthcare Assistance: Cover medical costs for veterans in need.

5. Economic Development

Small Business Grants: Provide $5,000 to $10,000 grants to 10–20 small businesses to foster growth or emergency recovery.
Job Training Programs: Help unemployed and underemployed residents acquire new skills and reenter the workforce.

A Vision for San Antonio’s Future

San Antonio’s 2025 budget may be $3.96 billion, but every dollar matters. Before spending a single penny of taxpayer money on abortion travel, the City Council must consider the countless lives that $100,000 could improve—without taking a single innocent life. This proposal does not reflect the values of most San Antonians.

If this measure isn’t voted down before the mayoral election, rest assured its better days are behind it. As your next mayor, I will fight to ensure not a dime of your hard-earned tax dollars is spent circumventing Texas law or enabling the destruction of unborn lives.

A City of Faith: Honoring San Antonio’s Core Values

San Antonio, with a population of approximately 1.5 million, is undeniably a city rooted in faith. Of its residents, an estimated 540,000 to 600,000 identify as Roman Catholic, and 525,000 to 600,000 are Protestant, making faith a defining characteristic of this community—regardless of political affiliation. Abortion directly opposes the foundational tenets of these beliefs. To fund it in any capacity is not just reckless; it is an outright affront to the deeply held values of the majority the City Council was elected to represent.

Join the Fight for San Antonio’s Future

It’s time to elect a leader who will prioritize accountability, life, and meaningful progress for all San Antonians. Share this message with your friends and family. Together, we can ensure that San Antonio has leadership that respects the law, values its citizens, and spends taxpayer dollars wisely.

Vote for Dr. Tim Westley as your next mayor of San Antonio. Let’s fight for a better future—together.