Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 19, 2020 / 14:00 pm
The Diocese of Austin has condemned the Austin City Council's decision to increase funding for abortion access in the city while partially defunding the city's police department.
On August 13, the Austin City Council voted to reduce the city's $423 million police budget by $150 million, or by just over a third. That money will be redistributed to various other causes, including violence prevention and housing assistance--as well as increased funding for "logistics" associated with abortion access.
A total of $250,000 in the 2021 budget was earmarked for "abortion access." The city of Austin has a contract with Jane's Due Process, an abortion-rights organization in Texas that assists minors with obtaining abortions without parental consent. Last year, the city's contract with Jane's Due Process was for $150,000.
Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin said he was "deeply concerned and disappointed" that the city council had increased the amount allocated for abortion assistance.