San Antonio's 1/8-cent sales tax currently goes to the Edwards Aquifer, but the deal is set to expire this year. Prior to COVID-19 and subsequent economic fallout, Mayor Ron Nirenberg wanted to reallocate that portion of the tax for transit initiatives, pending voter approval.
But as the city recoups, plans have changed. San Antonio City Council will decide August 13 whether to put a compromise on the November ballot that would divvy up the tax between post-pandemic workforce development and VIA Metropolitan Transit.
What are the terms of the deal being proposed? How would each recipient spend their portion of the sales tax, if approved? What happens to aquifer protection efforts without the added sales tax funding?
Is Council likely to approve this compromise initiative? What about voters, when presented with the choice in November? What's at risk if the measure doesn't pass?
Guests:
- Joey Palacios, local government reporter for TPR News
- Gilbert Garcia, metro columnist for the San Antonio Express-News
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 833-877-8255, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet @TPRSource.
*This will be available on Monday, August 10.
