Abbott threatens to cut San Marcos funding over Gaza ceasefire proposal
A city in Texas is facing the possibility of losing its state funding over a controversial resolution that calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel. Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, expressed his disapproval of the resolution in a letter to San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson. The City Council had voted to bring the resolution to a formal vote on May 6, prompting Abbott to intervene.
In his letter, Abbott criticized the City Council for considering a resolution for a “permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine” without also condemning Hamas for the massacre that took place on Oct. 7. The governor emphasized the importance of Texas’s relationship with Israel, calling it a “stalwart ally” and a “friend to Texas.” He stated that anti-Israel policies are considered anti-Texas policies and reiterated his stance against antisemitism.
Abbott highlighted a law he signed banning Texas government entities from supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The BDS movement aims to withhold financial support from Israel due to its actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under Texas law, government entities are prohibited from entering into contracts worth $100,000 or more without a written guarantee that the contracting entity does not boycott Israel.
The governor warned that the City of San Marcos could lose its state funding if it continues to support the resolution. His office has already begun reviewing active grants with the city to determine if it has breached terms by falsely certifying compliance with Texas law. Additionally, Abbott stated that future grant agreements with the city would not be entered into, and active grants could be terminated if the resolution is passed.
The City Council agenda described the resolution as calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine, an arms embargo on Israel, recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, and the protection of constitutional rights for all people under national and international law. Council member Alyssa Garza, who put the resolution on the agenda, framed it as a way to combat government overreach. She argued that Texans could not rely on the same government that funds bombs while cutting aid for housing and education to stop a genocide.
Another council member, Amanda Rodriguez, defended the resolution as a moral litmus test rather than a political statement. She referred to the conflict in Gaza as a genocide and made a plea to Jewish individuals who may have concerns about the resolution being linked to antisemitism.
The San Marcos City Council is set to vote on the resolution in just five days, and the outcome will determine the future of the city’s state funding. Mayor Jane Hughson, along with Council members Garza and Rodriguez, have yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation.
As the controversy unfolds, the city of San Marcos faces a critical decision that could have significant implications for its relationship with the state of Texas and its stance on international conflicts. The resolution has sparked a debate on moral obligations, political allegiances, and the limits of local government authority. The outcome of the upcoming vote will undoubtedly shape the city’s future and its standing in the eyes of state officials and the public.
