Join our newsletter.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
The Civic Tech Scholars Program, hosted by the Better Futures Institute, convened a panel discussion with Jeff Coyle and Jim Bailey to explore the role of public policy, civic engagement, and governance in shaping San Antonio’s future. The session examined the challenges of engaging underrepresented communities, the city’s response to climate change, and the complex relationship between local and state governments.
These white papers mark the first step in a collaborative research initiative aimed at gathering feedback from multiple stakeholders. The process began with formulating deeper questions based on key themes identified during discussions. Small groups compiled key insights, identified promising practices, and highlighted critical challenges.
The next phase involves developing a consultation plan to engage stakeholders and community members. This plan will include surveys, community meetings, and online platforms to gather feedback that will inform future policy recommendations and guide further research.
The panel focused on the challenges of fostering civic engagement, addressing climate change, navigating the complex relationship between city and state governments, and managing the risks of displacement and gentrification. Key themes included the digital divide, the need for sustainable development, and the importance of inclusive public engagement.
San Antonio's efforts to engage the public through programs like SA Speak Up and door-to-door outreach were praised. Still, challenges such as displacement and political tension with the state continue to create obstacles. This white paper provides recommendations for enhancing civic engagement, promoting sustainable transportation, and addressing displacement while preserving San Antonio's cultural heritage.
Key Recommendations:
One of the key themes discussed was the digital divide and its impact on public engagement. Many San Antonians face barriers to participation due to limited access to technology, the inability to attend public meetings due to work or childcare responsibilities, or a general sense of disconnection from public issues.
According to a Pew Research Center (2021) study, approximately “four-in-ten adults with lower incomes [30k and under] do not have home broadband services (43%) or a desktop or laptop computer (41%).” The Texas Civic Health Index written by the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life in 2018, reports that as a whole, “[Texas] has lower voter registration rates compared to other states in the nation, with approximately 68% of eligible Texans registered to vote, and voter turnout in Texas remains lower, with 55% voting in the last general election.”
Key Opportunity: Addressing the digital divide through expanded internet access and more accessible public participation platforms, such as SA Speak Up, will allow more residents to engage in local governance and policy-making processes. Offering incentives for participation and conducting door-to-door outreach have already proven effective in reaching underrepresented communities.
2. Climate Change and Environmental Resilience
The panelists identified climate change as one of the most pressing concerns for San Antonio’s future. With the city's car-centric infrastructure and increasing temperatures, the need for sustainable transportation and green spaces is critical to combat rising heat and promote environmental resilience.
Axios San Antonio reported in 2025, “that summer temperatures have risen 4°F from 1970 to 2024, have 43 hotter-than-normal summer days compared to 1970, per the analysis from Climate Central, a climate research group,” exacerbating the urban heat island effect. Axios reported in 2023 that there were about 2.5 million monthly VIA trips in San Antonio, down from about 3.8 million, the same month in 2019, highlighting the need for continuous investment in sustainable transportation options.
Key Opportunity: By expanding transit-oriented development and upgrading public transportation systems, San Antonio can reduce its carbon footprint and create a more sustainable city. VIA’s efforts to improve bus lines and ActivateSA's work to enhance parks and bike lanes are steps in the right direction.
San Antonio’s political landscape is shaped by the often-contentious relationship between the city’s progressive policies and the state government's conservative stance. This tension can hinder the implementation of locally supported initiatives, particularly in areas such as infrastructure development and climate policy.
A Brookings Institution (2022) study found “that states often fail to meaningfully collaborate with local and regional leaders when deciding how they’ll use their federal dollars.” Political differences between cities and state governments can result in delays in infrastructure project approvals and funding. In recent years, several infrastructure projects in San Antonio, such as proposals for expanded public transit, have been blocked or delayed due to state intervention.
Key Opportunity: San Antonio must navigate this complex political relationship by fostering stronger city-state collaborations and advocating for more local autonomy in policy-making. This could involve building coalitions with other Texas cities facing similar challenges.
The city’s efforts to implement policies that reflect the needs of its residents are often hindered by political differences with the state government. This tension has led to delays in critical projects and limits the city’s autonomy in shaping its future.
Axios Austin shares that the Texas Legislature, led by a Republican majority, has long aimed to limit the authority of progressive-leaning city councils in the state's largest urban areas. In 2025, the Texas Senate passed legislation that further restricts municipalities from establishing their regulations on issues such as elections and criminal justice. The bill also includes provisions that allow the state to freeze a city’s sales tax revenue, which is a major source of local government funding. City leaders argue that the legislation would "financially handcuff Texas cities from serving their residents" and "effectively allow the attorney general to serve as a de facto councilmember in cities across the state," according to Monty Wynn, director of grassroots and legislative services for the Texas Municipal League.
Key Challenge: San Antonio must navigate the political landscape more effectively by building coalitions with other Texas cities and advocating for increased local control over key policy areas.
Rapid population growth in San Antonio has led to rising property values, particularly in historically affordable neighborhoods. This has resulted in the displacement of long-term residents and the loss of cultural heritage.
The University of Texas Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic at the School of Law reports that “four of the five San Antonio census tracts with the highest number of vacate and demolition orders are located in the near Westside—an area that is 94.6% Hispanic or Latino. This historically underserved neighborhood faces ongoing redevelopment pressures and sits adjacent to one of the city’s largest economic development projects: the UTSA campus expansion.”
Key Challenge: San Antonio must balance the need for urban density with the preservation of affordable housing and the protection of its cultural heritage. The development of tools like the displacement input tool is a step in the right direction, but more comprehensive policies are needed.
While progress is being made, several critical challenges remain that must be addressed for San Antonio to build a more equitable and resilient future.
Despite efforts like SA Speak Up, there are still significant gaps in representation in public policy discussions. The digital divide and lack of engagement from lower-income and minority communities continue to limit who participates in civic processes.
According to the San Antonio Civic Community Engagement Report (2020), “barriers to voting disproportionately affect people of color and low-income communities. Recognizing who among voting-age participants do not know their Council District may help increase understanding of voting and civic engagement. 21% (655) of voting-age participants did not know their Council District, and of these respondents, 57% (374) are people of color.”
Key Challenge: San Antonio must address the structural barriers preventing broad public engagement by continuing to expand digital access, providing childcare support for public meeting participants, and offering more localized outreach efforts.
San Antonio’s car-centric infrastructure presents a significant barrier to reducing its carbon footprint. The city’s sprawling layout and heavy reliance on personal vehicles have led to rising greenhouse gas emissions, worsening heat, and decreased green space.
The Census Reporter (2023) indicates that San Antonio ranks among major U.S. cities with one of the lowest public transportation usage rates; only about 2% of residents use public transit regularly, while roughly 69% drive alone to work.
Key Challenge: To address climate change, San Antonio must transition to sustainable transportation, expand public transit options, and create more green space. This transition will require substantial investment in infrastructure and the political will to shift away from car-centric policies.
Despite the challenges, San Antonio is making significant strides in improving civic engagement and public policy. The panel highlighted several promising practices that are already in place:
Invest in closing the digital divide by expanding high-speed internet access to underrepresented communities. Continue to support programs like SA Speak Up and conduct door-to-door outreach to ensure more inclusive participation in public policy discussions.
San Antonio should prioritize transit-oriented development and invest in sustainable transportation systems. Expanding public transportation options and creating more green spaces will help mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the city’s reliance on cars.
Build coalitions with other Texas cities to advocate for greater local autonomy in policy-making. By working together, cities can more effectively navigate political differences with the state government and push for policies that reflect the needs of their residents.
Develop more tools like the displacement input tool to proactively address gentrification and displacement. San Antonio must create policies that protect affordable housing while promoting urban density and economic development.
San Antonio’s future depends on its ability to foster inclusive civic engagement, address climate change, and navigate the complexities of city-state politics. The insights from the Public Policy, Civic Engagement, and Governance Panel provide a framework for tackling these challenges and building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable city. By focusing on digital inclusion, sustainable development, and local policy autonomy, San Antonio can create a future that serves all its residents.
