AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is not letting up on efforts to stop the controversial Uplift Harris program.
The program was initially supposed to launch in April and was aimed at helping households in Harris County’s 10 poorest ZIP codes who are living below 200% of the federal poverty line. Recipients would have received $500 a month grants to help with household necessities.
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Paxton fought back in court and filed a lawsuit, calling Uplift Harris “unconstitutional” and an “illegal welfare scheme.” At first a judge sided with Harris County, clearing the path for the program, until The Texas Supreme Court issued a preliminary pause.
On August 15, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to create a new, more restrictive version of Uplift Harris. At the time, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo believed that the program would be “totally foolproof in a court of law,” and hoped to disburse the funds to families this November.
Paxton again fought back in court Thursday, filing another lawsuit to stop the new version.
“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 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.”
You can read the full filing here.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee released the following statement:
After a lawsuit from Ken Paxton regarding the Uplift Harris program, Harris County created a new initiative that addresses the state’s concerns while still offering financial stability to our neighbors who need it most. If it wasn’t clear before, it should be clear now that the opposition to this program is not about concern for the law; it’s about using people living in poverty as a means to score political points. In Harris County, we understand the need to tackle the real problems people face. Folks in Austin may not prioritize helping those in need, but they shouldn’t stand in the way of much-needed support. Once again, I am ready to defend the county and this program in court.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis also released a statement:
“Harris County will continue to fight so that every family in the County has access to the opportunities and resources they need to prosper.
Meanwhile, Ken Paxton will stop at nothing to prevent Harris County from investing in families. His latest attack on Harris County families that are struggling under the weight of economic inequality proves that he is on a crusade to score political points and protect a system that makes the rich even richer while starving seniors, children, parents, and working people of the resources they need to get ahead.
This isn’t a game for the people who are trying to take care of their families, put food on the table, and build a better future. They deserve better and I will keep fighting for them.”
KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun asked Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo about the lawsuit at a press conference Thursday. Judge Hidalgo said in part, “We thought the program and we knew that the program was legal when we first created it. They were extremely late and inconsistent in fighting against it. As we’ve discussed, the program had run in Austin and San Antonio without issues. We then created a new program to make sure that they no longer had the claim they were purporting to make, and then they’re saying, ‘it’s illegal again.’ So, I don’t think it’s about legality. I don’t think it’s about policy. I think, as always, you know, it enjoys the headlines. It’s unfortunate for the community. But what we’re looking at now, which we decided from when we thought he might do something like this, is just ensure that those dollars go toward addressing poverty in Harris County. We know that this is one of the most effective ways per the research that’s being done. But, you know, there’s always other strategies and we’re just going to keep that commitment.”