Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Harris County Commissioners Court, alleging that the court is attempting to restart its "guaranteed income" program despite a previous order to halt similar cash disbursements.
In April, Paxton sued Harris County over an initiative called "Uplift Harris," which aimed to provide unconditional financial aid to 1,928 residents, including some noncitizens. The Texas Constitution prohibits such programs, stating that no county or political subdivision can grant public money or value to any individual.
The Supreme Court of Texas halted the program during ongoing litigation, citing concerns about its constitutionality. The court noted that the potential violation could not be undone if payments commenced while the appeal was still in process.
Despite this ruling, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to implement a similar welfare scheme with higher administrative costs. Public information indicates that Harris County plans to re-enroll the same residents from the previous program.
"Harris County acts as though the Texas Constitution does not apply to them and as though they do not have to abide by the Texas Supreme Court’s rulings," said Attorney General Paxton. "Using public funds in this way directly violates the law. Harris County is willing to undermine the legal process out of apparent desperation to push this money into certain hands as quickly as possible."
To read the filing, click here.