Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Texas told cities they couldn’t fund abortion providers.

So Austin is funding abortion access instead.

The city became the first in the nation Tuesday to approve public funding to help women better access abortion.

bit.ly/32Czi5a #txlege #SB22

2/ This year, Texas passed a new law prohibiting local and state governments from giving money and some resources to abortion providers.

It was partially a legislative reaction to Planned Parenthood's $1-per-year lease for its East Austin clinic.

bit.ly/32Czi5a

3/ State Sen. Donna Campbell, the primary author of that new law, said the budget "... defiantly violates the spirit of Senate Bill 22."

Campbell said it could be "an outright violation against the law." bit.ly/32Czi5a #txlege

4/ But Aimee Arrambide, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, said the funding isn't a response to SB 22.

Instead, she said it was a creative way for Austin to make sure its community has access to abortion healthcare. bit.ly/32Czi5a #txlege

5/ The budget includes $150,000 for organizations that help women afford incidental costs like transportation, lodging and childcare when they seek an abortion. bit.ly/32Czi5a #txlege

6/ "I don’t make decisions based on what the Legislature wants, I make decisions based on what our community needs," said Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza.

bit.ly/32Czi5a #txlege

7/7 Nicole Hudgens, the policy director at the anti-abortion group Texas Values, said: "It is appalling the city of Austin doubled-down on its policies to ‘save the trees, kill the children.'"

Read more here. bit.ly/32Czi5a #txlege