The city of Austin terminated its out-of-state abortion travel fund on Monday to comply with a measure that prohibits governmental entities from using taxpayer dollars to pay for out-of-state abortion treatment and travel.
The city established the Reproductive Healthcare Logistics Fund in 2024 to help finance out-of-state reproductive care expenses such as travel, food and lodging. During last year’s budget cycle, the city allocated $400,000 to the fund.
However, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 33 into law on Aug. 20, which prohibits the use of public funds to support planning, travel or any “logistical support” for abortion treatment outside of the state. It also allows the attorney general and Texas residents to file a civil suit if they believe a city violated the law. Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes wrote in an email the city fund served as a lifeline for Texans leaving the state to receive abortion care.
“I’m disappointed, though not surprised, to see the state once again interfere in our efforts to care for Texans,” Fuentes wrote. “You can’t claim to support people while blocking access to safe, life-saving and time-sensitive medical care.”
State law already prevents state and local governments from giving public funds to abortion providers to finance reproductive care, according to Texas Politics Research. However, the new law’s author, state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, wrote in a statement of intent that cities found ways to “support abortion while skirting the law.” Rep. Candy Noble, R-Lucas, the bill’s House sponsor, said on the floor the measure prevents this.
“Our goal always in this room is to have our laws followed when we pass them and not for a city to just find another loophole,” Noble said. “That’s why this (law) is so clear.”
Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against Austin and San Antonio over their respective abortion funds, arguing the use of taxpayer dollars to finance abortion treatment violated the Texas Constitution.
In 2021, Texas outlawed most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected unless a patient’s life is at risk. Last year, 155,000 people across the nation traveled out of state to access abortion care, according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute. Over 28,000 of those people were from Texas.
Lucie Arvallo, executive director of Jane’s Due Process, a reproductive rights nonprofit that helps young people access out-of-state abortion care, said the organization disbursed around $1,500 per person last year. Abortion funds, like her organization, help those who cannot afford to access life-saving care, Arvallo said.
“Imagine if you found out that you had to leave the state in a week,” Arvallo said. “Would you have the necessary resources to pay for a hotel, to pay for your airfare, to find childcare, to take time off of work in that quick amount of time? That’s the kind of situation that a lot of folks that we’re serving are facing.”
Despite SB 33 going into effect, organizations that do not rely on taxpayer dollars to maintain abortion funds can continue their services.
“Abortion funds all across the state, not just the ones that received this funding, are still here for people,” Arvallo said. “We are still here to help support you as you access your abortion care. You are not alone.”
