On Tuesday, Texas' attorney general initiated legal action to halt a guaranteed income program scheduled to commence this month for residents in the Houston area. The program, established by Harris County, aims to provide $500 monthly cash payments to 1,928 county residents for a duration of 18 months. Eligibility criteria include having a household income below 200% of the federal poverty line and residing in specified high-poverty zip codes.
Funded by $20.5 million from the American Rescue Plan, the initiative is part of a broader trend across the country where federal pandemic relief funds have spurred the implementation of guaranteed income programs in various cities and counties. The goal is to combat poverty, reduce inequality, and encourage workforce participation.
The lawsuit, filed by the Texas Attorney General in a civil court in Houston, challenges the program, dubbed the 'Harris Handout,' as a 'socialist experiment' that allegedly violates the Texas Constitution. The lawsuit contends that the program represents an unlawful government overreach and lacks accountability and a clear public benefit.
State Senator Paul Bettencourt criticized the program as a misuse of taxpayer funds, labeling it as 'Lottery Socialism.' The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the program, which was slated to begin distributing payments as early as April 24.
Harris County officials defended the program, emphasizing the long-standing success of guaranteed income initiatives in combating poverty. They criticized the lawsuit as politically motivated and accused the Texas Attorney General of pursuing a partisan agenda.
The legal dispute is the latest in a series of conflicts between Harris County, a Democratic stronghold, and the Republican-dominated state government. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny over elections in the county, with the Texas Legislature passing laws to exert more control over Harris County's electoral processes.
While other cities in Texas, such as Austin and San Antonio, have previously implemented guaranteed income programs without legal challenges, the situation in Harris County reflects broader political tensions within the state. El Paso County is also preparing to launch its own guaranteed income program later this year.
