San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg urges ‘voting against’ Prop A
With early voting for the May 6 election just a little over two weeks away, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg appeared on KSAT Tuesday, April 4, to say he is voting against Proposition A. The justice reform measure seeks to decriminalize abortion and marijuana possession in the Alamo City as well as reform in policing tactics, but Nirenberg argues the changes should be sought at the state level.
“I am encouraging voters to do their research before they go vote and then join me in voting against Prop A,” Nirenberg told KSAT Tuesday evening.
The wrong level
Nirenberg told KSAT the reforms set out in Proposition A can’t be fixed at the city level. He said San Antonio “can’t legalize marijuana,” and that restoring a person’s right to an abortion can only be sought at the state level.
The city passed a resolution in August 2022 recognizing abortion services as health care and a right for people, recommending that city funds not be used toward prosecuting or investigating abortion cases.
Nirenberg also told KSAT that Proposition A would ignore victims of crimes.
“From small businesses to nonprofits, to really any working family who wakes up to a smashed car window,” he said.
What is in Prop A?
Proposition A, also known as the San Antonio Justice Charter, was added to the ballot in February after ACT4SA collected over 20,000 signatures, more than the required amount for a proposition to be added to the ballot.
The ballot measure seeks the following at the municipal level:
- Decriminalize marijuana.
- Decriminalize abortions.
- Adopt cite and release for low level misdemeanors.
- Ban the use of chokeholds by law enforcement.
- Ban no-knock warrants.
- Create a justice director within city government.
When it comes to marijuana, the proposition would eliminate the smell of marijuana or hemp being used as probable cause for search by San Antonio police. It also pushes for the elimination of citations or arrest for up to 4 ounces of marijuana.
On abortion, Proposition A would specifically prohibit the San Antonio Police Department from making arrests or investigating abortions, which are illegal in Texas. The exception to this would be if the person was coerced or forced.
It doesn’t eliminate arrests
Ananda Tomas, executive director for ACT4SA, has been on a campaign to fight back against opposition messaging on the proposition. She also spoke with KSAT, saying the proposition does not eliminate arrests. She said a citation for low level misdemeanors means the person must still show up in court and allows the judge to determine a suitable punishment.
“This does not mean that you do not face repercussions for your actions, whether you go to jail or you go to a diversion program, or you show up to court, and they drop your marijuana possession,” Tomas told KSAT.
Nirenberg said the courts had success with its diversionary program, but Tomas later took to Twitter to point out Nirenberg’s stance on Proposition A is an about face from his previous take on cite and release programs.
When Police Chief William McManus sent a memo recommending cite and release in 2017, Nirenberg said in a statement the program would “reduce jail crowding and enable police officers to use their time on serious crimes.”
Experts also argue San Antonio is within its right as a home rule city to direct where “scarce public resources” are used.
When is the election?
San Antonio will be able to vote on Proposition A when early voting begins on April 24, which continues through May 2. Election day is on Saturday, May 6.
The full proposition’s language can be read on the sample ballot.
