Harris County attorneys on Monday defended the Guaranteed Income Program, which is the subject of a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Paxton’s lawsuit alleges that Harris County’s guaranteed income program, Uplift Harris, is “unconstitutional.” The lawsuit seeks “immediate judgment to prevent Uplift Harris from commencing payments under the program.”
“This lawsuit is yet another attack on Harris County government by headline-seeking Republican state leaders,” Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, who is representing the defendants in the lawsuit, said in a press release. said.
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“This program is about truly helping people by giving them direct cash assistance, which is what the government has always done. I can’t for the life of me understand why civil servants would oppose it. “I can’t,” he added.
Harris County attorneys on Monday defended the Guaranteed Income Program, which is the subject of a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. (Harris County Attorney’s Office)
The Uplift Harris program was passed by a 4-1 vote in Harris County Commissioners Court last year.
Uplift Harris is a guaranteed income pilot that allows participating households to receive $500 per month for 18 months. The program will launch on January 12, 2024 and will be open to 1,924 applicants.
The program received over 59,000 applications. Local FOX affiliate station reported.
Applicants were selected “at random” through a lottery, according to the county’s website.
County officials planned to fund the program with $20.5 million received through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was intended to be used for COVID-19 relief efforts. But now those who receive the funds will receive the funds with “no strings attached,” Paxton said.
A lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleges that Uplift Harris, a guaranteed income program established in Harris County, is “unconstitutional.” The lawsuit seeks “immediate judgment to prevent Uplift Harris from commencing payments under the program.” (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
This was announced by the Attorney General’s Office. state constitution Prohibits “a county, city, town, or other political corporation or local government of the state from giving public funds or anything of value to support or to any individual.”
“Harris County’s programs that distribute public funds for free without conditions, controls on spending, or guarantees of public interest are prohibited,” Paxton’s office said in a press release.
Paxton also noted that the state’s constitution provides “equal rights to all men, and that no man or men shall be entitled exclusively to separate public compensation.”
He added that distributing the funds violates the state constitution because the selection of recipients is arbitrary in nature.
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“This plan clearly unconstitutionalAttorney General Paxton said, “Taxpayer money is used lawfully and used to advance the public interest, rather than simply being redistributed without accountability or a reasonable expectation of general interest.” “It must be done,” he said. I am suing to stop Harris County officials from abusing public funds for political gain. ”
Fox News Digital previously interviewed Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who sent a letter to Paxton about “raising Harris” leveling similar allegations against Paxton.
Texas lawmakers believe universal income programs pushed at the county level are unconstitutional. (Fox News Digital)
Given that more than 59,000 people applied for just over 1,900 spots, Bettencourt asked how the government decides who wins and who loses.
“I don’t like the concept of what I call lottery socialism here, because it’s based on a particular zip code and has no restrictions,” Bettencourt told FOX News Digital. “That’s why I’m concerned about the gift clause.” [Texas] Constitution. “
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Menefee countered that Republican leaders in the state Legislature and executive branch called giving taxpayer dollars to businesses “economic development.”
“When the government uses federal money to actually help people, Republican leaders in Austin call it socialism,” Menefee said.
He continued, “I think the message that Harris County residents have for AG Paxton is to help people or get out of their way. I will vigorously defend the county and this program in court.” I intend to defend myself.”
A hearing in the case is scheduled for the next few weeks.
Austin, Texas recently launched a guaranteed income program to address housing insecurity in the city. Other cities across the US We are considering a similar program.
FOX News’ Greg Wenner contributed to this report.
