SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones joined the KSAT Q&A on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and the city’s possible funding for a Spurs arena after county funding was approved on Nov. 4.
Jones started by thanking military service members for their service on Veterans Day and shared her family’s military history.
She said that at the “top of my mind” are the veterans among those furloughed or affected by what is now the longest-standing government shutdown in U.S. history.
Jones said the shutdown “continues to fall on the most vulnerable and on those who’ve served our country.”
She discussed the distribution of a $1.6 million fund raised to aid SNAP recipients during the benefits pause.
Jones said that nearly 7,000 H-E-B gift cards, each worth $150, are being distributed to eligible recipients.
She said that if viewers have questions about their eligibility, they can “contact the city’s line.”
Jones also touched on the funding for a downtown Spurs arena, following Bexar County voters’ approval of county funding for the arena.
She insisted that the city still needs an independent study and that a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued to provide transparency on the city’s funding.
When asked if she wants to call for another election to determine city funding, Jones said, “My focus at this point is making sure that we got the good data.”
Watch the full interview in the media player above.