Texas Supreme Court Halts Harris County's Guaranteed Income Program

The court's decision temporarily blocks $500 monthly payments to low-income residents, following a legal challenge by Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Texas Supreme Court issued an administrative stay, preventing Harris County from issuing $500 monthly payments to nearly 2,000 selected residents.
Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that the Uplift Harris program, funded by federal COVID-19 relief, violates the Texas constitution by granting public money to individuals.
Local officials, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, have defended the program as a lawful and moral effort to combat poverty.
The program aimed to provide financial assistance to residents living below 200% of the federal poverty line in the county's poorest zip codes.
The legal battle continues as Harris County is required to respond to the court's decision by the end of April, with further rulings expected soon.