Texas State Senator Questions Constitutionality of $500 Monthly Income Program
A Texas state senator is raising concerns about the constitutionality of a guaranteed basic income program in Harris County, which includes Houston. The program aims to provide qualifying residents with $500 a month, with no strings attached. In response, the senator has asked the state attorney general to issue a legal opinion on the matter.
Senator Seeks Legal Opinion on Guaranteed Income Programs
State Senator Paul Bettencourt sent a letter to the state attorney general on January 12, requesting an opinion on whether counties have the authority to implement guaranteed income programs. Unlike universal basic income, which applies to everyone, guaranteed basic income programs target specific groups. Similar initiatives are being adopted in cities across the United States.
Uplift Harris Program Launches Amidst Legal Challenge
Bettencourt's request coincided with the launch of the Uplift Harris program, which began accepting applications on the same day. The program aims to provide eligible households in Harris County with $500 a month for a duration of up to 18 months. To fund the project, county officials allocated over $20 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds from the American Rescue Plan. The program received an overwhelming response, with more than 48,000 applications submitted within the first three days, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Constitutional Concerns and Questions Raised
In his letter to the attorney general, Bettencourt highlighted a section of the Texas constitution that prohibits the legislature from granting counties the power to allocate public funds for the aid of individuals. He argued that Harris County does not have the authority to create a program like Uplift Harris, as it is not a Home Rule city and lacks the ability to enact new laws independently. The senator also questioned why only specific zip codes with the highest poverty rates were chosen for the program, and expressed concerns about the sustainability and fairness of the initiative.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee defended the program, stating that Bettencourt's legal claims are an attack on a program designed to assist individuals living in poverty. Menefee emphasized that the county's program is legal and vowed to defend it against the senator's challenge.
As the legal debate unfolds, the future of the Uplift Harris program remains uncertain. However, the program's supporters argue that it provides much-needed assistance to those in need, while critics raise valid concerns about its constitutionality and long-term viability.
Sources: Business Insider, Houston Chronicle
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By: kniemeyer@insider.com (Kenneth Niemeyer)
Title: Texas State Senator Challenges Constitutionality of Guaranteed Basic Income Program
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/texas-paul-bettencourt-guaranteed-basic-income-ubi-uplift-harris-houston-2024-1
Published Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2024 19:14:02 +0000
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