Texas AG sues county over Uplift Harris program, calls it ‘illegal welfare scheme’

HOUSTON – The Texas Attorney General has filed a lawsuit on a program launched by Harris County, which he calls “plainly unconstitutional.”

Called Uplift Harris, County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis introduced the $20.5 million investment program back in 2023. The idea was to help struggling families through a $500-a-month grant to support household needs.

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Families were able to begin applying for the program mid-January with the disclosure that applicants must be 18 or older, have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and live in one of 10 zip-coded areas that include Acres Homes, Sunnyside and Galena Park.

AG Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Tuesday saying the program is unlawful, as any program that institutes “guaranteed income” violates the state constitution.

“This scheme is plainly unconstitutional,” Paxton said in a press statement. “Taxpayer money must be spent lawfully and used to advance the public interest, not merely redistributed with no accountability or reasonable expectation of a general benefit. I am suing to stop officials in Harris County from abusing public funds for political gain.”

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County Attorney Christian Menefee fired back on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling Paxton’s lawsuit “nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines.”

In a full emailed statement, Menefee doubled down, adding he would defend Uplift Harris vigorously.

“This lawsuit is nothing more than another attack on Harris County government by Republican state leaders looking to make headlines. This program is about helping people in a real way by giving them direct cash assistance—something governments have always done. I cannot for the life of me understand why any public servant would be opposed to that.

When corporations are given taxpayer dollars Republican leaders in Austin call it “economic development”. When governments use federal dollars to actually help people, Republican leaders in Austin call it socialism.

I think the message Harris County residents have for AG Paxton is to lead in a way that’s going to help people or get out of the way. I will vigorously defend the county and this program in court.”

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo also released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.