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San Antonio City Council Calls for November Election on COVID-19 Recovery Plan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The city of San Antonio is taking significant steps to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a move aimed at supporting the tens of thousands of residents who have lost their jobs, the city council is putting a COVID-19 recovery plan to a vote in the November election. The plan, which would be funded by redirecting a one-eighth cent sales tax, seeks to provide job training and education programs to those who have been displaced. This comes as the city's Mayor, Ron Nirenberg, emphasizes the need to address the community's economic weaknesses and inequities exposed by the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city of San Antonio is putting a COVID-19 recovery plan to a vote in the November election, which aims to provide job training and education programs to 40,000 displaced workers.
  • The plan would be funded by redirecting a one-eighth cent sales tax that will become available next year, without requiring a tax increase.
  • The plan builds upon the ongoing retraining program funded as part of the City's Recovery and Resiliency Plan and will last for four years.
  • An estimated 40,000 displaced workers will get access to retraining or additional education during the program's life, and emergency assistance and job placement help will be provided for participants.
  • The Mayor appointed a Workforce and Education Leadership Taskforce to provide recommendations and develop the plan, composed of a cross-section of business, education, and community leaders.
  • The plan aims to support tens of thousands of San Antonians who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, with many of the jobs unlikely to return.

Statistics:

  • Over 150,000 San Antonio residents have filed for unemployment due to the pandemic.
  • The plan aims to support an estimated 40,000 displaced workers over a four-year period.
  • The plane will be funded by redirecting a one-eighth cent sales tax.
  • The plan does not require a tax increase.

Sources:

  • City of San Antonio Press Release, Aug. 13.
  • Mayor Ron Nirenberg

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