SAN ANTONIO – Local organizers have filed an official ethics complaint as local representitives are planned to participate in a rally in support of Proposition B.
On Monday, the Vote Against Prop B campaign announced that they had filed a formal complaint with the San Antonio City Attorney and the Texas Ethics Commission, as several city leaders are planned to attend the “Marvel Project Town Hall & Rally,” scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 at St. Paul Square.
The campaign says that Public materials describe it as an effort to “inform and engage residents around Proposition A and Proposition B” and list City Representatives, former city leaders, and Spurs leadership as featured speakers.
They allege that nobody who opposed Proposition B has been invited to participate in the event.
“City officials should not be using their titles or taxpayer time to campaign for a billionaire-funded arena or any political campaign. The city attorney must investigate and hold those doing so accountable,” said Mike Phillips for Vote Against Prop B. “City Officials are listed as participating in a political event that isn’t about informing voters. It is about selling a deal that was negotiated in private between the Spurs, city insiders, and out-of-town billionaires.”
Opposition campaign organizers say the complaint cites potential violations of Texas Election Code Sections 255.003 and 255.0031, which prohibit public officials from using government resources or their official authority to influence an election.
“This entire process has lacked transparency from the beginning,” Annalisa Peace, from the ‘No Project Marvel’ coalition added. “There has been no independent economic study, no accountability, and now city officials are taking sides during early voting. The law is clear, ‘City staff’ are legally not allowed to participate in campaign rallies in their official capacity as they are now doing.”
They also request disclosure of all communications between City officials, the Prop B campaign, and Spurs representatives.