A Harris County poverty relief program intended to put money into needy pockets faces a challenge from a Texas state senator.
More than one out of every 10 Texans still struggle. Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Texans living in poverty remained at an average ofTo combat homelessness and evictions, Harris County and the City of Austin recently approved similar programs that aim to put more cash in the pockets of the poor.
In both cases, that money comes with no strings attached. But Harris County is facing challenges even before its launch.In mid-January, state Senator Paul Bettencourt sought a legal opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton, asking whether the Texas constitution’s ban on gifts bars counties—or cities—from providing direct financial assistance to individuals or families.
“This is 20 million dollars for only 1900 families, and who picks the lucky few winners?” he said in his statement to theBettencourt added that: “I don’t think it’s a policy, personally, that the state or the counties can afford, because of its expense, and quite frankly, when it’s no strings attached, I really believe it’s socialism.”strongly disagrees. “This behavior has become par for the course with Sen.
Uplift Harris, now set to launch in February 2024, was previously delayed after others raised questions about whether undocumented immigrants could participate. County Judge Lena Hidalgo recentlyGiven Bettencourt’s actions, Menefee says he’s ready to defend the county’s program as legal and, if necessary, file briefs to defend it. “They are taking shots at Harris County because we’re ensuring government is a tool to help people. It’s my job to defend this program, and I will.
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