Harris County’s attempts to launch a guaranteed income program for low-income families face another legal roadblock as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenges its legality.
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The Texas Supreme Court has once again halted Harris County’s revamped guaranteed income program, "Community Prosperity," in response to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The initiative sought to assist low-income families—specifically, those residing at or below 200% of the federal poverty line—by offering pre-loaded debit cards. New restrictions were implemented on the cards to tackle the concerns that were brought up regarding its predecessor, "Uplift Harris," which Paxton had previously blocked earlier this year.
Paxton contends that both iterations of the program breach the Texas Constitution's ban on providing public funds directly to individuals without conditions. “Harris County must adhere to the Texas Constitution,” Paxton stated. “Their effort to bypass a previous court decision was obvious, and we’ve effectively halted them once more.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and County Attorney Christian Menefee advocated for the program, highlighting its ability to assist families in need. “Attorney General Paxton is resolute in his efforts to prevent Harris County families from accessing resources that could enhance their well-being,” Menefee stated. “We oppose the stay and will persist in our efforts to promote solutions that enable residents to flourish.”
The legal dispute underscores the friction between state and local authorities regarding creative strategies for addressing poverty. Currently, Harris County's initiatives to offer direct financial assistance are on hold.
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