Cities DENYING SANCTUARY FOR THE UNBORN

On July 16th, 2019 the City Council of Mineral Wells, Texas voted on the construction of an ordinance outlawing abortion for the city of Mineral Wells. The vote was 5-2. Five City Council members voted against the construction of the ordinance and the Mayor and one City Council member voted in favor of the ordinance. 

Population: 17,450 (2019)

City Type: Home Rule

Counties: Palo Pinto, Parker

In voting against the construction of an ordinance the City of Mineral Wells, Texas became the first city to reject an opportunity to outlaw abortion within their city limits. 

On September 9th, 2019 the City of Omaha became the second city in the nation to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The ordinance passed 5-0. 

Population: 1,021 (2019)

City Type: General Law B

County: Morris

Unfortunately, on October 14th, 2019, Omaha’s City Attorney attempted to “walk back” the city council from the ordinance and convinced them to adopt a non-binding resolution instead. Technically the ordinance was never voted down, but it was clear that was the desired intention of the majority of the council. The vote, which was to adopt a resolution in place of the ordinance, was 3-2. This made the City of Omaha the first in the nation to reject an ordinance outlawing abortion which they had previously passed. 

While we no longer recognize Omaha as a ‘Sanctuary City for the Unborn’ and have placed them in the ‘Denying Sanctuary’ category, the City of Omaha will always be the second city to pass an ordinance outlawing abortion. Hopefully the City of Omaha will readopt an ordinance outlawing abortion in the near future.

On December 9th, 2019 the City of Jacksboro, Texas voted on outlawing abortion in the city of Jacksboro. The Jacksboro City Council unanimously voted to take no action. The Mayor was the only voice of support on the City Council.

On January 13th, 2020 the City Council of Jacksboro, Texas voted on outlawing abortion in the city of Jacksboro. The Jacksboro City Council, once again, unanimously voted to take no action. The Mayor was, once again, the only voice of support on the City Council.

Population: 4,511 (2019)

City Type: General Law A

County: Jack

On December 9th, 2019 the Carthage City Commission heard a first pitch from Carthage residents who wished to see their city council pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. 

On January 13th, 2020 the Carthage City Commission heard a second pitch from Carthage residents who wished to see their city council pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits.

On January 27th, 2020 the Carthage City Commission heard a third pitch from Carthage residents who wished to see their city council pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The ordinance was tabled. 

On February 24th, 2020 the Carthage City Commission heard a fourth pitch from the residents of the City of Carthage. The Carthage City Commission untabled the ordinance and then moved to vote against the ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. 

Population: 6,851 (2020)

City Type: Home Rule

County: Panola

After hearing from residents on May 7th, 2020 the Coahoma City Council voted against passing an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The vote was 3 against, 1 abstaining, with 1 absent.

Population: 847 (2020)

City Type: General Law A

County: Howard

On October 12th, 2020 the Wilson City Council heard a first pitch to pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within the city limits of Wilson, Texas. The City Council chose to table the ordinance due to two council members being absent. 

On November 9th, 2020 the Wilson City Council untabled the ordinance and voted 3-1 against passing an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. 

Population: 489 (2020)

City Type: General Law B

County: Lynn

On March 11th, 2021, after adopting a proclamation to recognize April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, the Rising Star City Council voted to table the ordinance outlawing abortion in Rising Star, Texas.

On April 8th, 2021 the Rising Star City Council voted to untable the ordinance outlawing abortion in Rising Star and voted against the ordinance. 

Population: 835 (2020)

City Type: General Law A

County: Eastland

On June 15th, 2021 the Mayor and all members of the Edinburg City Council publicly committed to support passing an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits.

After being placed on the City Council’s agenda by Councilman David White, on July 20th, 2021 the Edinburg City Council considered an ordinance outlawing abortion within the city limits of Edinburg, Texas. After hearing public comments and after a public discussion among the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and City Attorney the Mayor of Edinburg asked three different times if there was a motion to pass the ordinance. Hearing no motion, the proposed ordinance died for lack of a motion. 

Population: 101,170

City Type: Home Rule

County: Hidalgo

On September 14th, 2021 the Tulia City Council considered an ordinance outlawing abortion within the city limits of Tulia, Texas. 

With no motion to adopt the ordinance being made, the proposed ordinance died for lack of a motion. 

This action made the City of Tulia the FIRST city to reject a Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance since the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect.

Population: 4,967

City Type: Home Rule

County: Swisher

On October 11th, 2021 the Mason City Council voted 4-2 in a first reading vote to outlaw abortion within their city limits.

On October 25th, 2021 the Mason City Council had their second reading vote to outlaw abortion within their city limits. The vote was 4-3. In doing so the City of Mason became the forty-first city in the nation, and the second city in Ohio, to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits.

Population: 34,450

City Type: Home Rule

County: Warren

Unfortunately, on December 13th, 2021, the newly elected Mayor and City Council of Mason, Ohio repealed their ordinance outlawing abortion. The vote was 6-1.