(Texas Scorecard) – Former city councilmember Don Zimmerman has filed a lawsuit to halt subsidies in the City of Austin’s recently passed budget that would assist in out-of-state travel for women seeking abortions.
Zimmerman’s suit names Mayor Kirk Watson and City Manager T.C. Broadneaux as co-defendants along with the city.
As Texas Scorecard recently reported, during its most recent budget cycle, the city council allocated $400,000 to provide “logistical support” for such travel. Zimmerman’s suit asserts that this provision violates state law.
While the Austin City Council has a long history of these sorts of subsidies, the most recent allocation represents something new.
Texas Right to Life President John Seago previously told Texas Scorecard, “This most recent budget goes further than ever since they are now funneling half a million dollars to pro-abortion organizations that are aiding and abetting illegal and out-of-state abortions.”
Seago said that the pro-life movement will not turn a blind eye to the city’s decision to join the “criminal enterprise” of organizations targeting Texas children.
The City of Austin’s most recent budget passed 10-1, with conservative councilmember Mackenzie Kelly as the sole vote against.