3 weeks ago
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The Texas Attorney General sued the City of Austin allocating $400,000 in taxpayers funds to help local residents seek out-of-state abortions.
Ken Paxton announced the lawsuit on Friday alleging the Reproductive Health Grant violates a state constitution gift clause that prevents the government from using public money for an individual's benefit.
The city's one-time grant, which was approved by the Austin City Council in August, seeks to provide financial support for airfare, gas reimbursements, hotels, ride reimbursements, childcare stipends, companion travel and food.
“No city in Texas has the authority to spend taxpayer money in this manner,” General Paxton said in a statement.
Paxton called the effort “illegal” and is seeking a temporary restraining order to pause the distribution of funds until a ruling is reached. Don Zimmerman, a former Austin City Councilman, filed a lawsuit under the same allocation in August.
Kirk Watson, the city's mayor, called the attorney general's effort an "exploitation of power."
"Texas women deserve better than to have their state and Ken Paxton attacking their fundamental freedoms," Watson added.
Texas banned abortions in 2022 with certain exceptions including when the mother’s life is at risk. Since then, thousands have traveled out of the area seeking the medical procedure according to The Texas Tribune.
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