SAN ANTONIO – Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones delivered the 2026 State of the City address on Tuesday. It was her first address since she was sworn in for her first term last June.
Shortly after taking office, Jones and city council members had to address a budget shortfall and a plan to fund a new $1.3 billion arena that will be the new home of the San Antonio Spurs. She said the city still needs to finalize the term sheet with the Spurs on that.
Jones said that the 2027 budget will be a challenge given cuts at the federal and state level.
“The budget will be tougher than it was last year, but I imagine, my guidance will be the same: fund no fail missions,” Jones said. “Those folks that keep us safe, we must fund their their activities, minimize cost to the most vulnerable, and minimize short term cuts that have long term impacts as best able.”
During her first ten months, the city council has hosted discussions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s presence in San Antonio and also voted to move municipal elections from May to November. Jones said she believes moving the election to November will help increase voter turnout.
“I’m thankful enough of my colleagues recognized this gift and the responsibility we have to increase turnout and save money where we can,” Jones said. “Failing to do so would have left us as the only major city in Texas that still had municipal elections in May.”
One area Jones says she continues to work on is discrimination against veterans when it comes to affordable housing in San Antonio.
“This discrimination is the equivalent of a college or university denying a kid admission because they can’t pay full tuition out of pocket and need a scholarship to attend,” Jones said. “See how ridiculous that sounds in Military City, USA? So let me say this unequivocally we don’t deserve to call ourselves Military City USA if we allow veterans seeking affordable housing to be discriminated against simply because they are using a voucher to pay and I will continue working with the community and my colleagues to end this shameful discrimination.”
During her ten month tenure, Jones has faced ethics complaints, multiple staff turnovers and clashes with several city council members. In February, the city council voted 8-1 to censure her. It marked the first time a sitting mayor was censured since the city charter was adopted.
The State of the City address was hosted by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.