San Antonio City Council will vote on a proposed budget Thursday, with a $158M budget deficit looming.
The city is looking at dozens of programs to cut, including travel by city employees, city council members, and the mayor. According to our television partner News $ San Antonio, travel records show in her first year in office Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones traveled to Taiwan, California, Mexico City, and other destinations with members of her staff and security detail at a cost to taxpayers of $256,323.
The city responded to the report with a statement saying that, “City policy allows for City representatives to upgrade seats on flights exceeding 8 hours or with total travel time exceeding 14 hours if the exception is approved by City Manager or designee, or department head. In this case, McGinn as department head approved the upgrade due to the duration of the flight.”
Meantime, community and business leaders are urging City Council to protect funding for two workforce programs they say are key to helping residents move into better-paying careers.
The push centers on keeping Project QUEST and Ready to Work in the city’s next budget. Supporters want council members to leave Ready to Work funds intact as the city works to close budget shortfalls and weighs cuts.
Council meets at 9am.