San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has proposed redirecting remaining funds from the Ready to Work program to address the city's projected $158 million budget deficit.

The proposal suggests using the redirected funds to eliminate the projected budget shortfall or expand the city’s bonding capacity for the 2027 bond program. Under the proposal, the program would stop accepting new applicants after a date agreed upon by the City Council and would begin to wind down.

Redirecting Ready to Work's dedicated funding would require voter approval because the program was established through a citywide election. The San Antonio City Council would need to vote to place a measure on a future ballot before voters could approve redirecting the funding.

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones stated that increasing property taxes remains a last resort. "My intent would be that any diversion of funds does not impact those enrolled in the Ready to Work program," she said.

Ready to Work was approved by San Antonio voters in 2020 and launched in 2022. The program is funded through a dedicated one-eighth-cent sales tax and provides education, job training, and career placement services to residents pursuing high-demand occupations.

According to data posted on the Ready to Work website, 16,883 people have enrolled in training programs. Of those, 8,062 people have completed their training, and 5,762 people have been placed in approved jobs.

Financial information published by Ready to Work shows the program has collected more than $235 million in sales tax revenue. The program has spent nearly $112 million. The Ready to Work program has accumulated $123.8 million in unspent funds as of 2026, according to the program's official dashboard. The program was originally designed to place 28,000 workers in jobs by 2030 but has been revised to a target of 15,600 due to lower-than-expected job placements and wage outcomes.

Sebastian Oberg, a Ready to Work graduate, earns $58,000 annually in his first job after completing the program. "I think it’s great. I went last year having no job, and now I have a full-time job — and it’s a great job at that," Oberg said.

"My parents are super proud. I’m very happy with it."