SAN ANTONIO – A political action committee led by prominent figures from the San Antonio business community is gearing up to invest over $1 million in support of a series of proposed changes to the city charter.
San Antonio residents are just six weeks away from casting their votes on six proposed charter amendments, which include salary increases for the mayor and city council, extending council terms to four years, and reversing previous voter-approved restrictions on the city manager’s salary and tenure.
READ MORE: San Antonio City Council pay raise, longer terms added to Nov. 5 ballot
Renew SA, the political action committee, announced its campaign launch on September 10th, with a focus on supporting all six amendments. The initiative is spearheaded by a trio of leaders: Gordon Hartman, founder of Morgan’s Wonderland; Dr. Erika Gonzalez, President, and CEO of STAAMP Allergy; and J.D. Salinas, an executive at AT&T. Hope Andrade, a businesswoman and former Secretary of State, serves as the PAC’s treasurer.
(KSAT)
Although campaign director Kelton Morgan did not specify the most critical amendment during a recent interview, the PAC’s initial focus on Proposition C indicates its significance. This proposition would grant the city council authority to determine the employment terms of the city manager, overturning a 2018 voter-approved restriction.
The business community and other supporters argue that removing these limits would attract top talent to San Antonio, preventing brain drain to other similar-sized cities.
‘That’s what it costs’
While the PAC has not yet submitted any campaign finance reports to the city, Morgan disclosed that Renew SA has a budget exceeding $1 million, deeming it necessary for a successful campaign. Contributions from business leaders, unions, and other sources are being sought to meet this target.
“It’s the number of people voting that warrants $1 million,” Morgan emphasized. “I mean, that’s what it costs to reach the people that are turning out to vote in this election.”
Morgan outlined plans to engage with neighborhood and community groups, with a heavy emphasis on mass media campaigns due to the tight timeline leading up to the Nov. 5 election.
With a lengthy ballot comprising various races, educating voters about the amendments will be a prominent challenge for the campaign.
Polling disputes
The viability of the six amendments remains a topic of debate, with recent UTSA polling suggesting some amendments are facing resistance, particularly those related to the city manager’s salary and council member pay.
While external polling indicated low awareness of the proposed changes among voters, Renew SA’s internal polling painted a more favorable picture, highlighting greater support for the amendments.
Notably, the forthcoming election holds significant implications for the tenure of the current city manager and the city’s future leadership dynamics.
As Nov. 5 draws near, the San Antonio community is gearing up for a crucial decision-making process that could shape the city’s governance for years to come.
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