The Supreme Court of Texas has temporarily halted Harris County’s new guaranteed income program, Uplift Harris, issuing a ruling on April 23 that prohibits the county from making payments pending further orders, just one day before program recipients were scheduled to receive their first installment.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the first case on April 9, seeking a temporary restraining order against Harris County authorities who run the program, characterizing it as unlawful in the 16-page document. While a state district judge denied Paxton’s lawsuit on April 18, he filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court of Texas on April 23. The Supreme Court of Texas issued its administrative stay the same day, only hours after Paxton’s administration delivered its statement.

“I’m relieved that the Texas Supreme Court has prevented Harris County from disbursing these illegitimate payments. “I look forward to continuing to defend our Constitution and preventing this egregious misuse of taxpayer funds,” Paxton said in a statement.

Harris County Menefee Attorney Christian D.  has defended the county in current legal proceedings with Texas courts and delivered a statement on April 23.

“It’s sad that the court would take such a drastic measure to halt a program that will aid residents in Harris County, even temporarily. The court was aware that the first payments were scheduled for tomorrow. Menefee stated, “I will keep fighting to protect this program, and I look forward to continuing to argue that Uplift Harris is good legally and morally.”
What else?
The Supreme Court of Texas also asked Harris County officials to respond to the state’s emergency motion for interim relief by 4:30 p.m. on April 29.