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The Texas Supreme Court has ruled against Harris County, keeping its basic income program on hold.
The hold will continue while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit challenging the program winds its way through the court system.
Though the ruling isn't final, the court signaled its belief that the initiative violates the Texas Constitution.
Harris County Commissioners Court - with its Democrat supermajority - voted to send $500 monthly payments to around 1,900 low-income households over the course of 18 months. The $20.5 million Uplift Harris program is funded by federal pandemic recovery dollars.
Justice Jimmy Blacklock wrote, "Although we make no definitive statement about the merits, the state has raised serious doubt about the constitutionality of the Uplift Harris program, and this potential violation of the Texas Constitution could not be remedied or undone if payments were to commence while the underlying appeal proceeds.”
In a statement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said, “Harris County’s guaranteed income scheme is a clear and flagrant violation of the Texas Constitution,” said Attorney General Paxton. “SCOTX has stepped in and put a stop to this abuse of power and unlawful use of taxpayer money while the case continues.”