ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg city council made two decisions on abortion on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, they voted to not give $50,000 in city money to the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund. That money would have helped residents travel out-of-state to get an abortion. It was a 2-6 vote.

Earlier on Thursday morning, the council voted to approve a resolution supporting the rights of residents to make their own decisions regarding abortions with a 6-2 vote.

The abortion-related items were on Thursday’s agenda for the St. Petersburg city council meeting.

The Health, Energy, Resilience and Sustainability committee previously had asked the city council to approve allocating $50,000 from the city's general fund to the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.

Those funds would have been used to help residents travel out of state to get an abortion, but state lawmakers were threating to pull funding if this proposal was approved.

Last month, state representatives Berny Jacques and Mike Beltran sent a letter to the city saying using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is illegal.

The committee advanced the proposal in February.

The resolution approval will protect access to abortions for St. Pete residents and not use funding to criminalize them.

Mayor Ken Welch released a statement about the funding vote. It said: "In a 2 to 6 vote, the St. Petersburg City Council voted against providing $50,000 in additional funding for the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund for travel related expenses. 

Prior to the final vote on agenda item H-3 this afternoon, our City Council and St. Petersburg residents demonstrated what inclusive governance means in our community. Vigorous debate and the free and open discussion of ideas and differing opinions in the public square are crucial for our community to prosper. This deliberation remains a critical component of the legislative process in the City of St. Petersburg, as it should be in all legislative bodies. 

In St. Petersburg, the State of Florida and nationwide, there are passionate beliefs and advocates on both sides of this important debate. It is our duty as Americans to protect the process of democracy and ensure that all voices have an opportunity to be heard, as was just carried out in our Council Chambers. I'm thankful to our City Council's dedication to inclusive progress and partnership as we work to move our city forward."

TROPICANA FIELD PARKING LOTS

Also, the city council approved a new agreement between the city and the Tampa Bay Rays that could make parking easier in downtown.

There's an agreement to allow public parking on six lots surrounding Tropicana Field on non-game days.

The process started last month when the city council changed the city code to allow for parking enforcement on private property.

That change and the new parking agreement with the Rays were both up for discussion at Thursday's meeting.