[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6645341,"mediaKeyId","3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d","parentId",3789315,"title","City staff recap wins and defeats from 89th Texas Legislature, highlight $50M cyber hub for Port San Antonio","audioSeconds",2006,"startMs",5039000,"endMs",7045000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d&start=5039&end=7045","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d/thumbnail_5039000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645341/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/City-staff-recap-wins-and-defeats-from-89th-Texas-Legislature-highlight-50M-cyber-hub-for-Port-San-Antonio","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645341-d8ad0c95f2f3509a485e5ad5b8840f83/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433229&Signature=bC4a9G5nUBU0hbBjEuNyCTKD0N1CGiNlUFiU55xoJO86Cj08LKQbPa2df9meW8LkF~yN8hh4mgNTRsDB5~snNOnRvKja1g2WM1HFh12mHz-ai4Bn6CfZQQeJW9Lccdl0uW7jdMHKe03QWLq1Qc-310W-ge0xWuO7WrR9O4TV0O9VXJ~uAe8iL7Z1oCowuUR8ypZoflbv4Nb3YplhBp4T8DYgidnfDYl7xKf3mkcKVi1qiLcbZDwndwzGB~uPoma4nnVALU-Oxlv58iCAbTCZVwg60HGWMb2701gD8cgBDS5K80rZmPv5u852gnkBkseiyDMeqF0-qBCYnA7lRQNzfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Antonio","date","2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","article","San Antonio’s government affairs team delivered a recap Thursday of the 89th Texas Legislature, outlining items that passed, local appropriations and bills that either failed or would limit municipal authority.

Sally Basurto, director of government affairs, told the council the Legislature adopted a two‑year spending plan and that the governor has until June 22 to sign or veto bills. Major appropriations that the city highlighted include $50 million for a cybersecurity hub at Port San Antonio, $40 million for defense community projects (including a $5 million award to the city) and hundreds of millions for mental health grants. The team also cited $2 million for Woodlawn Park and $1 million for Brooks Park in San Antonio as specific local park awards.

Basurto summarized a number of enacted bills with direct local effects: HB 150 (establishing a Texas Cyber Command headquartered in San Antonio in partnership with UTSA and federal partners); SB 22 (renewing and increasing funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program); and HB 9 (raising the personal property exemption threshold for businesses) among others. Staff noted SB 840, which preempts municipal regulation for some multifamily and mixed‑use conversions, and other bills that narrow local regulatory authority.

The briefing also covered bills that did not pass and those the city opposed. Basurto said several large preemption measures and proposals to reduce municipal financing tools were stalled or failed, a result she attributed to sustained advocacy. The city also tracked bills that would have limited local regulation of third‑party inspections and backup power installations, measures that were narrowed or did not pass.

Councilmembers used the briefing to thank government affairs staff for the work of tracking thousands of bills and for protecting local authority on key issues. Council discussion also raised concerns about bills that affect public health and youth (including several proposed measures regarding e‑cigarette retailing near schools that did not pass) and a statute requiring the city to withdraw from sister‑city relationships with certain Chinese municipalities (HB 128), a provision staff said the city was still evaluating with the city attorney’s office.

Basurto said the city’s intergovernmental relations team would circulate a fuller memo after the June 22 deadline and continue to monitor the governor’s actions and next steps on implementation of appropriation line items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Antonio - City Council A Session Jun 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed council on outcomes from the 89th Texas Legislature, citing local appropriations for a Port San Antonio cybersecurity hub and parks plus bills that could limit municipal authority.","taxTitle","San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",2771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645354,"City Council approves two‑year pilot allowing digital media displays in select areas",2092,2779000,4871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d&start=2779&end=4871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d/thumbnail_2779000.jpg","/articles/6645354/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/City-Council-approves-twoyear-pilot-allowing-digital-media-displays-in-select-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645354-c2352f16fddcac1c48a2ce937ec216ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433229&Signature=Y5tHhF8WhzMJesKRnFyauY6fhFRQS3hrzIK5tzdjAznUzu-TIWUE0TR1HbL7ug5K~zLZAuzaxrofHM6XWoyUcZO4fswds~eYYIKqqgoq7bIy8~C0RbH7AMUGsCGaz1Lm-kxHd83xNmEloLQzPAHmLSL-ypxo7kOAPRbLTfBlYIQBH4GdrwPKR06G5Eume6-m2z-7~uGpXgaqW3R9SOjtllIfciY~CR99L9mB6ob79gUrV2oSXJNh7fUdD7cYwfNusFlPhg25bLNrHRP9nULDagwg5ki4X3elE4cyzKdKPs~35t92U058VOLj6iwChUv1ndu0~xqGXv905D5LihuITw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Antonio City Council on Thursday approved a two‑year Digital Media and Arts pilot program to allow off‑premise digital displays at up to 10 locations across eight designated areas of the city.

The ordinance, which amends Chapter 28 (Signs) of the city code, sets a limit of 10 signs citywide, requires each permittee to contribute $100,000 per sign upfront to fund artwork and local artist stipends, gives the city a 10% share of gross revenue during the pilot (15% if extended), and reserves a 20% timeshare for the city to display public messages or art. The ordinance also bars digital displays on historic structures and within view corridors of the River Walk and requires compliance with TxDOT rules where applicable.

Supporters said the program can create steady revenue for arts projects and provide venues for digital and moving‑image artists. David Ehrlich, who said he has worked on similar programs in other cities, told council: \"These screens serve as one of the rare professionalizing opportunities for digital and moving image artists.\" Development Services staff presented examples from other cities and described mitigation tools for brightness, content and operation hours.

Opponents and preservation advocates said the displays would hurt San Antonio's historic character and risk visual pollution. Elaine Vetter, a member of the local preservation community, said the pilot \"does not have an end date nor provisions in writing for the expense for the removal of these signs\" and warned of ongoing maintenance problems. Tour guide and Mission San José volunteer Bonnie Simons told council: \"There is no place in our 300‑year‑old city for digital billboards.\" Several speakers urged the council to reject the proposal or tighten limits on locations and revenue splits.

Council debate focused on location limits, revenue shares and safeguards. Some councilmembers said the pilot should be narrowly deployed to help activate underused areas — including parts of the south side and Brooks City‑Base — and argued for a larger city revenue share; others said public opposition, reflected in city surveys, counseled a no vote. Development Services said the program would not allow displays covering more than 25% of a building face and that display specifics (brightness, dwell time, content restrictions, hours of operation) would be set in the permit process.

The council ultimately voted to approve the ordinance after public comment and extended discussion. The record in the meeting does not include a roll‑call vote total. Staff said the pilot would take effect Sept. 15 and that permit applications and contractual terms would be developed before displays are installed. The Department of Arts & Culture will receive pilot revenues to support artist fees, fabrication, installation and maintenance.

Councilmembers and staff said contracts between display companies and private property owners will be handled privately, and the city will review each permit application for code compliance before a sign is installed. Legal staff noted limits on content controls under the First Amendment and advised the council it may face legal constraints on some restrictions. City staff and some councilmembers said they expect mitigation language — including dimming and turn‑off requirements — to be included in permit terms.

The pilot passed after debate that ranged from concerns about downtown and historic districts to arguments that the program could provide stable funding for artists and activate underused public space. Councilmembers who sought tighter revenue shares and clearer removal provisions asked staff to include stronger contract terms as permits are drafted.

The council's action authorizes Development Services to proceed with the pilot program and directs city departments to draft permit and contract terms; staff said they will return to council with implementation details as permits are filed.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance amending Chapter 28 to implement the Digital Media and Arts pilot program — approved (motion and second recorded; specific yea/nay counts not specified in the meeting transcript).","San Antonio City Council on Thursday approved a two‑year pilot allowing up to 10 off‑premise digital displays in eight designated areas of the city, with upfront payments and a share of revenue directed to the Department of Arts & Culture.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645345,"Council appoints Leo Castillo Anguiano as interim District 2 councilmember during member’s leave",1077,4176000,5253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d&start=4176&end=5253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d/thumbnail_4176000.jpg","/articles/6645345/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Council-appoints-Leo-Castillo-Anguiano-as-interim-District-2-councilmember-during-members-leave","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645345-bf76b4bc987de2b9acffc79d006119c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433229&Signature=X5QZloeK5tyiC-t8xHQ8MC5qcqSDYLYO4ZhY4-BuUChSElxj0~QZOWjKp3SxfE3b4Bk7CYa~sGztIxpY2PsgLCvuXF7Ho2eAYK2iAC8svH3CmKmxXIN9huFaq4VWljm2DZkvJ6hKwKSIetqLhkNO4yD1U5hPfGXzSZzHxOJ3TNn8BViFcgOXxr5n4xxzQAr4U2EneBd~72AQgQ~e5fxaFmw~bAzggG1D89OxNJh5p8aIGEpEXEv9DWL6nZMnp~162PQq0X4BjAD87lQyBJpbc5PTTNorQvQgG9vE69VXaLoidS6zFnauJuO~hv41so~eQG41TeHZUKrPFrghqzTSgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Antonio City Council appointed Leo Castillo Anguiano on Thursday to serve as the interim District 2 councilmember during the temporary leave of Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Council moved and seconded a motion to appoint Castillo, and the council subsequently voted to approve the appointment; the meeting transcript records that the motion carried, though a roll‑call tally is not included. After approval, Castillo took the oath of office for the District 2 seat and the term dates were read into the record: Aug. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025.

In an opening statement, Castillo described his background, said he is a lifelong San Antonio resident and UTSA graduate, and pledged to \"govern in a spirit of compassion, collaboration, and humility.\" He said his experience working with nonprofits and community organizations shaped his approach and that he would rely on the District 2 staff team and council colleagues for guidance during budget season and other pressing matters.

Councilmembers praised Castillo’s community ties and the District 2 staff’s participation in the selection process. Incumbent Councilmember McKee Rodriguez, who is taking temporary leave, said she supported Castillo's appointment and praised his experience organizing on public safety reform, voter rights and LGBTQIA+ issues.

The clerk administered Castillo’s oath of office during the meeting; the oath as read in the record sets the interim term from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2025, and directs him to \"preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this state.\" Castillo immediately assumed the duties of the District 2 seat for the stated interim period.","The City Council appointed Leo Castillo Anguiano to temporarily fill the District 2 seat from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2025, to cover Councilmember McKee Rodriguez’s planned parental leave. Castillo was sworn in during the meeting after council approval.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645349,"Council approves $100,000 district funds for Girl Scouts’ camp expansion after public testimony",211,1301000,1512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d&start=1301&end=1512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789315-472417894a1863c6f3a19ed3ce77899d/thumbnail_1301000.jpg","/articles/6645349/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Council-approves-100000-district-funds-for-Girl-Scouts-camp-expansion-after-public-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645349-fb88f2c5254a53aca735ce003f1e7b5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433229&Signature=KT1sBmP0VeWuXqzCk3FOwAJp63rcxdigfzQejxMgGVmbOsZ8LySQo785AqEclOfjqCISaIxEBAJ4hvYV3LUZWuS-mZY6CwDYVEZLJTmjlp7TlhOZuHwXkwSw5OWd~PdvtkSSuCGRgnt52UsMvzTUo1Q6lxQnhzijWf4Co1caURrr~JghqhQEBG7uMSarUS6tIetTc4p1GPG~seIg72AAj2WlUYU~YPvnQzzv4aZrSSzWY5yGeZ1tXvwqgjyBXvqfXDGkupThw4yfw2dbW4qMp4G8WNfS7~vR83qXdWmTOcRH8lXO0tcbNYbgFBxGjDRWWsr5CW2uCUoaQhudlQ45xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Antonio City Council approved a funding agreement supplying $100,000 from District 9 neighborhood access and mobility funds to the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas for construction work at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center.

The funding is intended to help with public infrastructure tied to the \"Backyard for All Girls\" project, including a lateral sewer tie‑in and road work at North Coker Loop that will support added restroom blocks and overnight camping capacity. The council read the ordinance authorizing the funding and moved to approve the item; council members then discussed the project and heard remarks from Girl Scout volunteers and youth.

Councilmember John Courage introduced the item on the council floor and invited Girl Scouts staff and members to speak. The Girl Scouts’ development leader described plans for a 4‑acre backyard for overnight and day‑camping activities and said the work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. A Girl Scout, Lucy Luong, addressed council and said: \"Being a Girl Scout is more than just a title. It's a way to live with those that I will take with me much beyond this.\" Lucy described earning the Bronze Award and the program's role in teaching life skills and community service.

Council comments were uniformly supportive during the separate vote: Councilmember Villagran and others thanked the girls for their remarks and encouraged their continued involvement; Councilmember Courage and other colleagues praised the organization’s century of service to the community. Council requested that further discussion of Item 16 be continued separately from the consent agenda and ultimately voted to approve the funding agreement. The transcript records the motion, a second, and the meeting's announcement that the motion carried, but it does not supply a roll‑call vote tally.

The ordinance authorizes use of FY2025 District 9 neighborhood access and mobility program funds for the construction‑related expenses described in the funding agreement. Staff said the construction timeline could extend into 2026 for completion of the Backyard for All Girls project and invited council members and the public to visit once work is complete.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance approving funding agreement with Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas for $100,000 — approved (motion and second recorded; specific yea/nay counts not specified in the meeting transcript).","The San Antonio City Council voted to authorize a $100,000 funding agreement from District 9 Neighborhood Access and Mobility funds to support construction expenses for the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas \"Backyard for All Girls\" project at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center; councilmembers and Girl Scout youth spoke in favor,","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff recap wins and defeats from 89th Texas Legislature, highlight $50M cyber hub for Port San Antonio

City Council approves two‑year pilot allowing digital media displays in select areas

Council appoints Leo Castillo Anguiano as interim District 2 councilmember during member’s leave

Council approves $100,000 district funds for Girl Scouts’ camp expansion after public testimony