City Council Adopts Climate Action & Adaptation Plan
Protection from floods, healthy air, green careers, more trees, a city prepared for the future—our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan sets out to accomplish each of these and more.
Whether you’re a resident who wants a home safe from flooding, a parent who wants their children to have clean air, a park patron who wants to enjoy a park full of trees and free from litter, or a driver who wants genuine transportation options—there’s something in this plan for everyone.
One of the elements of the plan that I’m most proud of is our focus on equity as we adapt. Not only are we preparing for a changing climate, we're making sure that our efforts don’t have unintended consequences on the most vulnerable among us by putting in place a screening process for any potential climate action initiative.
San Antonio residents expect their leaders to seek practical solutions grounded in the best available research and practices. I’ve heard that consistently at neighborhood meetings and community events. Yesterday, we did just that.
SAPD Provides Update on Cite and Release Policy
The Public Safety Committee received the first quarterly report on the expanded Cite and Release policy this Wednesday.
The Cite and Release policy allows police officers to choose to ticket someone for minor offenses, like possession of small amounts of marijuana, instead of arresting them and introducing them to the criminal justice system.
As part of the presentation, SAPD reported that, for the July 1 to September 30 period, there were 1,509 offenses eligible for citation (instead of arrest). Of those 1,509, about 34% of the individuals received citations. This saved SAPD Officers about 935.5 hours in processing time—the equivalent of having two more officers available for patrol.
Because of this new policy, over 500 people were able to stay out of jail, continue their jobs, support their families, and keep their lives intact. Moreover, they avoided the stigma of a criminal record—something that all too often ends opportunities for education and work because of a one-time mistake.
I thank SAPD and the District Attorney’s Office for looking for ways to adopt sound criminal justice policy. They’ve been diligent in their efforts to report on the program’s progress and impact on our community and operations. I look forward to continued collaboration between the City and District Attorney.
Diagnostic Mammograms Now Covered by Most Insurance
The Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women is spreading the word that, as of Sept. 1, most insurance companies in Texas cover the cost of diagnostic mammograms.
On Tuesday, the councilwomen were invited to visit the University Health System’s mobile mammogram clinic to get screened and recognize the implementation of House Bill 170, a bill that requires insurance companies in Texas to cover both screening and diagnostic mammograms. Whereas screening mammograms detect potential symptoms of cancer, diagnostic mammograms determine whether the symptoms are cancerous.
Even with insurance coverage, diagnostic mammograms can entail a financial hardship for women. Susan G. Komen San Antonio estimates that, prior to HB 170, insured women could expect to pay up to $800 for a diagnostic mammogram.
For women who can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs, this means deciding between either taking out a loan to afford the mammogram or foregoing it and hoping for the best.
HB 170 will save lives. I encourage all women who can to take advantage of it. Women are so often caretakers in our community; our community must ensure women are taken care of too.