Voters are headed to the polls this November to weigh in on the future of Bexar County’s venue tax — money the county collects off hotel and rental car fees, which are expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars over the next 30 years.

The venue tax is a tool created by Texas law to allow cities and counties to finance an array of projects through taxes that fall primarily on visitors instead of residents.

Its uses are limited — but not as limited as some local leaders have been suggesting.

“It is specifically prescribed for sports venues and other types of venues, and it can’t be just used for anything,” said state Rep. Barbara Gervin Hawkins (D-San Antonio), at an Oct. 1 town hall on the East Side.

In fact, state law offers a long list of projects that could qualify as a p

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