San Antonio Mayor pushes for changes to state health care, immigration and housing laws

San Antonio Mayor pushes for changes to state health care, immigration and housing laws by Yasmine Cowan Fri, November 6, 2026 at 9:42 PM Updated Sat, November 7, 2026 at 7:18 AM 8 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging state lawmakers to take up changes to health care, immigration and housing laws during the next legislative session. (SBG San Antonio) Comment on this story 5 Comment Share story Share topics: San Antonio Gina Ortiz Jones Medicaid Immigration Senate Bill 4 Housing vouchers Section 8 Texas Legislature SAN ANTONIO - Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging state lawmakers to take up changes to health care, immigration and housing laws during the next legislative session. Jones says recent election results could create an opportunity to advance priorities she has been pushing. She introduced six legislative priorities, with three focused on issues she says are affecting San Antonio families. One priority calls for expanding Medicaid as Texas faces a backlog of more than 210,000 applications. “We as Texans already pay for that, but when we pay to the federal government we’re actually paying for other states that have expanded their care,” Jones said. “So by expanding Medicaid we can keep more of that money and address the health care needs of Texans.” Jones says expanding Medicaid could help more eligible Texans get coverage. She also wants lawmakers to repeal two versions of Senate Bill 4, which expanded Texas’ role in immigration enforcement. Jones says she worries undocumented residents may be afraid to seek help from law enforcement. “If people need help, if they need law enforcement, if they need the police, but they may be undocumented, you don’t want people suffering in silence, being abused, being taken advantage of simply because of their immigration status,” Jones said. “That’s not who we are.” A third priority focuses on housing. Jones wants the state to repeal a law that allows landlords to reject renters who use federal housing assistance. Repealing it could give San Antonio more authority to require landlords to accept vouchers, including Section 8, from qualified renters. “We have an affordability crisis in our community,” Jones said. “People should be able to live where they can afford, and if the voucher allows them to afford it then why would we allow somebody to discriminate against them? I have a real problem with this.” Turning the proposals into law could be difficult. Democrats control the Texas House, while Republicans hold the Senate, meaning the measures would need support from both parties. Some San Antonio voters say they are hopeful about what comes next, but want to see the results of the election lead to action. “I’m probably the most concerned with ICE and what they’re doing in the community here, and it absolutely horrifies me,” voter Becky Brenner said. “So I’m really hoping that all the results of the election will play out.” Voter Orlan Guantales said residents will need to keep pressure on local leaders. “We have to hold her feet to the fire,” Guantales said. The next Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12. Jones says she wants the priorities to lead to real changes for San Antonio residents. Trending Night out turns violent as gunfire erupts outside La Cantera-area business Night out turns violent as gunfire erupts outside La Cantera-area business 1 dead, 1 in grave condition after shootout with police at Alamo Ranch San Antonio police are investigating an officer-involved shooting on the far West Side near Lone Star Parkway and Alamo Ranch Parkway. One person is dead, another is hospitalized in critical condition. No officers hurt. Dozens of undelivered ballots found in dumpster at Seattle park The ballots have already been reissued to the affected voters. Eastland family loses control of Camp Mystic A federal bankruptcy judge has stripped the Eastland family of control of Camp Mystic, installing two independent overseers as the camp faces a criminal probe and wrongful-death suits tied to the July 2025 flood. Mom failed to get kids from after-school club, found dead in vehicle after 3-day search Police said the circumstances of the crash and the cause of death remain under investigation. NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 3 NEW VIDEO: Police seek suspect accused of striking woman walking her dog near Blue Star Arts 8 San Antonio Mayor pushes for changes to state health care, immigration and housing laws 3 San Antonio Democrats pushing for marijuana legalization 20 PHOTOS: Harlandale Indians take on McCollum Cowboys in the Frontier Bowl