Amarillo City Councilman Josh Craft made his position on a proposed Sanctuary for the Unborn ordinance clear during a podcast appearance this weekend.

During an interview with Dan Butcher’s High Plains Pundit Podcast on Sunday, Craft stated that the proposed ordinance, which would crack down on abortion-related travel through Amarillo, should go on the ballot. Craft expressed this position by saying that it would both allow voters to make their voices heard on the issue and set a precedent for future councils to respect.

“It kind of holds accountability,” Craft said, referring to why he supports placing the item on the ballot. “If we come out with some sort of ordinance, and we put it to a vote, and the voters pass that, it’s kinda gonna…inhibit future councils from repealing that.”

In discussing respecting the will of the voters, Craft pointed to the failed 2020 Amarillo Civic Center bond and the City Council’s subsequent attempt to issue debt to fund the project as an example of local government disrespecting voters’ voices.

“The Civic Center, for example,” Craft said. “You know, it’s the same concept, except it’s backwards. We said, ‘No,’ and the Council said, ‘We’re gonna do it.’ We all know how that played out in the end.”

Craft went on to say that his position on this issue isn’t about his personal beliefs, but rather what he believes would be best for Amarillo.

“It all just comes down to if this is what the people I serve want, then I’m going to give them the opportunity, if I have the power, to let them vote on it,” Craft said.

Thus far, most members of the Amarillo City Council have played their cards close to the vest on whether the ordinance should be taken up by the City Council or placed on the ballot. However, both Craft and Mayor Cole Stanley have indicated an openness to placing the item on the ballot, with Stanley suggesting that such an election could be a good time to also call a charter amendment election to address issues with the Amarillo City Charter.

The earliest an election could be held on this issue would be May 2024. However, the City Council could also call an election to address this referendum — and other possible issues and referendums — in November 2024.