City’s Abortion Fund Just Got Wiped Out

Abortion law book, gavel, and American flag.

A legal victory for Texas conservatives as Ken Paxton successfully shuts down taxpayer-funded ‘abortion tourism’ in San Antonio, reinforcing state authority over progressive city policies.

Story Highlights

Ken Paxton claims a decisive legal win against San Antonio’s abortion travel program.
Senate Bill 33 bans public funding for abortion logistics, reinforcing conservative values.
San Antonio halts abortion travel funding, citing compliance with the new law.
SB 33 creates a deterrent effect on similar programs in other Texas cities.

State Enforcement of Senate Bill 33

In response to San Antonio’s attempt to support out-of-state abortions through taxpayer money, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took decisive legal action. Following the introduction of a $100,000 line item in the Reproductive Justice Fund, Paxton sued the city, arguing it violated Texas law and constitutional limits. This legal battle unfolded as Senate Bill 33 came into play, effectively making any public funding for abortion logistics illegal.

This legislation, passed in mid-2025, prohibited local governments from utilizing taxpayer money for logistical support related to abortion, including travel. San Antonio, facing this new legal landscape, declared it would not proceed with any abortion-travel fund allocations under the new law, leading to the dismissal of the state’s appeal in October 2025.

Paxton’s Legal and Political Triumph

On January 9, 2026, Ken Paxton announced San Antonio’s official cessation of taxpayer-funded abortion tourism, heralding it as a legal victory. He emphasized that it is illegal for cities to fund such programs, framing the decision as a triumph for conservative values and the protection of unborn life. This announcement underlines Paxton’s strong anti-abortion stance and bolsters his credentials in his ongoing Senate campaign.

San Antonio officials, however, responded by noting that the state itself had dropped the lawsuit and that they had already adhered to the provisions of SB 33 months prior. This highlights the ongoing narrative battle between state and city officials, with Paxton positioning the outcome as a significant victory in the cultural and legal landscape.

Impact and Broader Implications

The end of taxpayer-funded abortion travel in San Antonio and similar actions in Austin signal a powerful deterrent to other Texas municipalities contemplating similar initiatives. Senate Bill 33’s private enforcement mechanism, akin to previous legislative strategies, provides a robust framework for other conservative states aiming to curb local abortion logistics support.

This development underscores the deepening divide between state and local authorities, as conservative state officials continue to assert dominance over progressive city policies. The decision significantly impacts low-income residents, who now face greater challenges in accessing out-of-state abortion services without local financial support.