AUSTIN, TX — The city of Austin is facing a lawsuit for approving a controversial abortion access budget, as reported by The Texas Scorecard.
The City Council last week voted 10-1 to pass the $400,000 budget to fund travel, accommodations, food, and childcare expenses for Austinites to seek abortions out of state. The budget is allocated to Austin’s Reproductive Health Grant.
Former conservative City Councilman Don Zimmerman filed the lawsuit and claimed that the city was violating state law for using taxpayers’ money to fund “abortion-assistance activities.” Since 2022, Texas has banned statewide abortions except when saving the mother’s life.
“Any use of taxpayer money inside Texas to procure a drug-induced abortion violates (state law), even if the abortion is being procured outside the state,” the lawsuit reportedly states.
Zimmerman wants a temporary injunction on the initiative to halt enforcement.
The lawsuit’s defendants include Mayor Kirk Watson, City Manager T.C. Broadnax, and the city.
District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes was behind the abortion-assistance fund proposal. The proposal states, “Austinites seeking abortion care in other states need support from the City. Reestablishing logistical support of abortion access is critical to meet the healthcare gaps of City residents.”
