| Houston, Texas — After hearing arguments from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and The Harris County Attorney’s Office, the 165th District Court denied Ken Paxton’s request to temporarily block the county from disbursing funds to families participating in the County’s guaranteed basic income pilot program. “Today’s decision is a big win for Harris County residents. Families in Harris County are being attacked by Republican state officials. Plain and simple. It’s shameful. Thankfully, today a court backed Harris County and refused to block Uplift Harris,” said Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. “Helping families in need is a proper use of government funds. Giving people the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty is both morally sound and good public policy. It’s ridiculous that politicians in Austin would be traveling to Harris County just to block us from helping people. I expect the state to appeal directly to the Texas Supreme Court. Given what we’ve seen from that court and Republican politics, I am skeptical that we will get a fair shake. But I plan to do everything I can to protect this program.” Attorney General Ken Paxton argues Uplift Harris violates the Texas Constitution’s ban on cities and counties gifting public funds to people or corporations. Harris County has responded that the program does not violate that provision because it serves a “public purpose,” which is the relevant test created by Texas courts. Uplift Harris will aid families in lifting themselves out of poverty, which will positively impact Harris County’s economy. Attorney General Ken Paxton also argues that the selection criteria for Uplift Harris was not “rational” under the Texas Constitution’s equal protection clause because the County used a lottery system to determine which qualified applicants to select. Harris County has responded that each applicant had to meet income and geographic restrictions, and randomized selection of qualified applications does not violate the Texas Constitution (as evidenced by the fact that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, a state agency, uses a lottery system as well). The state is expected to appeal in short order and request that the Texas Supreme Court step in and block the program during the pendency of the case. The Supreme Court will be asked to make that decision as soon as possible, given that the county is scheduled to disburse Uplift Harris funds on April 24. About the Harris County Attorney’s Office Christian D. Menefee serves as the elected, top civil lawyer for Texas’ largest county. The Harris County Attorney’s Office represents the county in all civil matters including lawsuits. Menefee leads an office of 250 attorneys and staff members. He entered office at 32 years old, making him the youngest person and first African American elected as the Harris County Attorney. ### |