News Summary
The 15th Court of Appeals has ruled against San Antonio, prohibiting the use of the Reproductive Justice Fund for assisting women with out-of-state abortion travel. This decision, prompted by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, halts the city’s allocation of funds for abortion-related services amidst ongoing legal battles surrounding reproductive health funding in Texas.
San Antonio – A recent ruling by the 15th Court of Appeals has prohibited the city of San Antonio from utilizing funds aimed at aiding women with out-of-state travel costs for abortions. The decision was announced on June 20, 2025, by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, effectively freezing the distribution of payments from the Reproductive Justice Fund, a program initiated in response to restrictive abortion laws in Texas.
Following the city’s approval of an additional $100,000 allocation to the Reproductive Justice Fund, Paxton took legal action against San Antonio in April. Although a lower district court had dismissed his initial lawsuit, the appeals court revisited the case and granted the state’s request for temporary relief, halting any further disbursement of the funds.
The Reproductive Justice Fund was designed to assist organizations that provide “downstream services” related to abortion, which include covering travel expenses for individuals seeking legal abortions in other states. This initiative came after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, which resulted in near-total bans on abortion in Texas.
While the funds were intended to support various health care needs—such as STI testing and access to contraceptives—Paxton criticized the fund, characterizing it as an “abortion tourism program.” He argued that using taxpayer money for out-of-state abortion travel contradicts pro-life values and violates the Texas Constitution’s Gift Clause.
In response to the court’s ruling, the San Antonio city attorney’s office expressed disappointment, calling the decision “unprecedented.” The city is currently exploring options to appeal the ruling, although as of now, no specific timeline has been established for new contracts to be presented before the City Council regarding the funding processes.
This recent legal battle marks San Antonio’s second attempt to fund out-of-state abortion travel. The first allocation of $500,000, which was made earlier, failed to adequately cover the associated travel costs because the applicants who included abortion-related services did not meet the final selection criteria. The city has reportedly spent approximately $500,000 in legal expenses defending the Reproductive Justice Fund thus far.
The controversy surrounding the fund escalates amid ongoing legal disputes. Anti-abortion groups filed lawsuits against the city shortly after the fund’s establishment. While a state district court judge dismissed their case in April 2024, an appeal is still pending, indicating a protracted legal battle ahead.
Adding to the complex legal landscape, the Texas legislature recently passed Senate Bill 33, which imposes restrictions on municipalities from utilizing taxpayer funds for abortion-related expenditures. This law is expected to come into effect on September 1, further complicating matters for cities like San Antonio that aim to support reproductive health services.
In 2024, Paxton initiated legal action against the City of Austin over a similar taxpayer-funded initiative, demonstrating a broader strategy by the state to challenge local governments using public funds in support of abortion-related services.
The 15th Court’s ruling emphasizes the importance of preventing the expenditure of public funds that may be found unconstitutional as the legal process unfolds. As this situation continues to develop, the city of San Antonio remains in a challenging position, balancing its commitment to reproductive health services against the backdrop of state laws and ongoing litigation.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Abortion rights in the United States
- San Antonio Current
- Google Search: San Antonio Reproductive Justice Fund
- Dallas Express
- Google Scholar: Reproductive Justice Fund San Antonio
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas abortion laws
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google News: Ken Paxton abortion funds
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
