Ken Paxton sues Harris County…again

HOUSTON – The San Antonio Express-News reports that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is again suing Harris County over its guaranteed income initiative, alleging that the latest version of the program still violates the Texas Constitution despite modifications officials made to pass muster. “The Texas Constitution expressly prohibits giving away public funds to benefit individuals — a common sense protection to prevent cronyism and ensure that public funds benefit all citizens,” Paxton, a third-term Republican, wrote in the suit. “The State of Texas brings this suit to ensure that Harris County follows the law and that public funds are properly expended and not doled out as door prizes at the voting booth.” Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee held his ground in a statement he made Thursday on social media.

“Our 1st basic income program was legal. The Texas Supreme Court disagreed, so we created a new program to address concerns,” said Menefee, a Democrat. “If it wasn’t clear before, it’s clear now: @KenPaxtonTX’s goal is to tank a program that will help Texans in need. We won’t back down. See you in court.” Uplift Harris, as the local program is called, is designed to give financial assistance to low-income households picked through a randomized lottery. Around 1,900 participants were selected earlier this year to receive $500 monthly payments for 18 months, following a similar guaranteed income model that has been used around the country. Though the original legal battle over the program is still making its way through the courts, the county decided last month to move forward with a modified program because it’s running out of time to spend the $20.5 million of earmarked funds. The money comes from federal pandemic recovery dollars that must be allocated by the end of the year.