HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Supreme Court has blocked Harris County’s guaranteed income program from taking effect. That decision on Uplift Harris came down right at the buzzer.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the first round of deposits were 45 minutes away from going out. Now, the program is stuck in legal limbo again.
More than 1,900 hundred low-income families have already been chosen for the Uplift Harris program. They were set to receive $500 a month for a year and a half.
However, this month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued calling it “unconstitutional.”
Minutes before noon Tuesday, the Texas Supreme Court granted an administrative stay, prohibiting the payments from being sent out.
County leaders talked to KHOU 11 after the decision came down.
“I do not expect that we're going to get a fair shot, but we're going to do everything we can in the courtroom to ensure that the legal arguments are made and that this program is protected,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said.
In a new statement, Paxton doubled down on his position that the program violates the Texas Constitution. He calls it a misuse of public funds. He went on to say his office will keep up the legal fight against the county.
Looking forward, Harris County now has until Monday to send a response to the Texas Supreme Court.