A Houston district judge on Thursday rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to block the Guaranteed Income Program.
In Harris County’s 165th Civil Court, Judge Ursula Hall rejected Paxton’s argument that the Uplift Harris program, which distributes monthly benefits to more than 1,900 low-income residents, is unconstitutional.
“Even if a program has a public benefit, it does not violate the Constitution,” Judge Hall said. Around Houston Landing.
Lawyers for the attorney general have tried to argue that taxpayer money should be used for the general good, in the public interest, and that “if someone loses money (scholarships) gambling in Las Vegas… “What’s the benefit to Harris County?”
“Wouldn’t it be beneficial if community members could derive great joy from travel?” Hall responded. “Or what if we won big in Las Vegas and brought that money back to Harris County to spend? Wouldn’t that benefit the county?”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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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.
Paxton’s lawsuit seeks “immediate judgment enjoining Uplift Harris from beginning payments under the program.”
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, a defendant in the case, said he expects Paxton to appeal directly to the Texas Supreme Court.
“Given what we’ve seen from that court and from Republican politics, I’m skeptical that we’ll get a fair shake. But I’m going to do everything I can to protect this plan. .” Menefe said in a statement.
“Today’s decision is a huge victory for Harris County residents. Harris County families are being attacked by Republican state officials, plain and simple. It’s a shame. Thankfully today, the court sided with Harris County. and refused to block Uplift Harris,” Menefee said.
“Helping families in need is a good use of government funds. Giving people the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty is morally sound and good public policy. Austin Politics “It’s ridiculous that the House would go to Harris County just to stop us from helping people,” he added.
A Harris County attorney on Monday defended the guaranteed income program that is the subject of a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. (Harris County Attorney’s Office/Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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The program received over 59,000 applications. This was reported by the local FOX affiliate. In January. 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.
However, Paxton said recipients of the funds will receive the funds with “no strings attached.”
“This plan is clearly unconstitutional,” Paxton said in a press release. “Taxpayer money must be spent lawfully and used to promote the public good, rather than simply being redistributed without accountability or a reasonable expectation of general benefit. No. I am suing to stop Harris County officials from abusing public funds for political gain.”
Previously interviewed by Fox News Digital Republican state senator Paul Bettencourt; He sent Paxton a letter regarding the “Harris bump” and leveled similar claims.
Texas lawmakers believe universal income programs pushed at the county level are unconstitutional. (Fox News Digital)
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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.
