By Ariel Worthy
See original post here.
A state district judge ruled against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit to block Harris County’s guaranteed income program on Thursday.
Paxton sued Harris County for implementing a guaranteed income program, called Uplift Harris, which would give $500 a month to nearly 2,000 low-income households over an 18-month period. Other cities in the country and in Texas have implemented various versions of the program, which attempts to help struggling households by providing funds for bills, rent and other needs.
Paxton said the bill used public money “in a manner that violates the Texas Constitution.” The funding would have come from the American Rescue Plan Act. 165th District Court Judge Ursula Hall rejected Paxton’s claims.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis said Thursday he is “grateful” for the ruling.
“I am pleased that the state’s attempts to rob struggling families of critical support has been thwarted in today’s ruling,” Ellis said in a press release. “Today was a victory for families struggling to make ends meet, pay rent, put food on the table, and keep the lights on. For the seniors who are forced to choose between meals, shelter, and medication. For workers who put in 40 hours or more a week and still don’t make enough to make it out of poverty.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that although the program is technically allowed to go into effect as planned on April 24, Harris County expects the state to appeal and “continue attacking Harris County.”
“This is an important victory. The Harris County courts are allowing the people of Harris County to receive this aid,” Hidalgo said in a statement. “From a legal perspective, it’s clear that the state’s case has no merit at all.”
Hidalgo added that former President Donald Trump sent out checks to people below a certain income in 2020.
“The Texas Attorney General and far-right state leaders constantly bully Harris County, likely to get free news coverage, but doing so harms their own constituents and I urge this to stop,” Hidalgo said. “My invitation remains to introduce the Attorney General to some of the hardworking families who can’t pay the bills without this aid. We expect that the state will appeal this ruling, and we will keep fighting for Uplift Harris every step of the way.”
