Skip navigation

COPS/Metro Reiterates Opposition to Public Funds for Spurs Arena as County Moves to Put Tax Hike on November Ballot

[Excerpts]

From KSAT:

“Many of our families are experiencing layoffs from their jobs. And families are being squeezed with cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. And here you are proposing a venue tax for yet another arena?" said Debra Garrett, a COPS/Metro leader with Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, who urged the county to spend money on raising county wages, affordable housing and infrastructure.

From San Antonio Report:

COPS/Metro leader Arturo Rodriguez said that money could be better spent, “in ways that could lift up the residents of Bexar County.” He said sports venues are not a good use of public dollars and called for more public input and discussion.

“One of the reasons that San Antonio and our Bexar County is so poor is because too often we have given our money away to people who have plenty of it,”

Rodriguez said. “We’re tired of this saying, ‘build it and they will come.’”

[Photo Credit: Robin Jerstad, San Antonio Express-News]

County Favors Tax Revenue Increase for Coliseum and Spurs Arena.  Voters Could Decide in NovemberSan Antonio Report [pdf]

Bexar County Tax Hike Could Send $175 Million Toward Spurs Arena...Spurs Contribution Still UnknownKSAT [pdf]

County Moves Forward with Arena Plan, Despite Lack of Spurs DetailsSan Antonio Express-News [pdf]

Continue Reading

Read More

In Final Days of Runoff, COPS/Metro Holds Firm: Invest in People

June 04, 2025

Since economic development happens from the bottom up, investing in vulnerable communities to achieve self-determination is key. [Excerpts] "After meeting with both mayoral hopefuls this month, the powerful community group COPS/Metro raised concerns about contrasting vision(s) for economic development in a city that’s chosen...

Read more

2025 City-Wide Accountability Session Prioritizes People over Projects

May 19, 2025

Last Sunday, COPS/Metro packed St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church for its Accountability Session with 350 leaders and candidates for mayor and city council. The crowd represented over 28 institutions across San Antonio, including schools, interfaith congregations, non-profits, and community/neighborhood associations.  COPS/Metro launched its Sign-Up,...

Read more