Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully blocked Harris County’s “guaranteed income” program, forcing county officials to abandon the controversial taxpayer-funded initiative after multiple court defeats.
The county confirmed to the court that the programs will be terminated, following a June vote to reallocate the funds.
The victory marks the end of a 15-month legal battle over whether local governments can distribute taxpayer money directly to residents without conditions. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between state and local authorities over social welfare programs.
“This unlawful free handout scheme pushed by champagne socialists like Lina Hidalgo has now been completely defeated,” Paxton said in a news release. “After being stopped in court twice, Harris County has officially ended its far-left ‘guaranteed income’ program.”
Paxton added: “I will always fight to enforce the law and prevent the illegal use of taxpayer funds.”
The legal challenge began in April 2024 when Paxton sued Harris County over its original program. The initiative promised to distribute public funds with “no strings attached” to selected residents.
The Texas Supreme Court ordered the county to pause distributions while litigation proceeded. Despite this ruling, county commissioners attempted to revive the program with modifications and increased administrative costs.
Paxton filed a second lawsuit and obtained another court order blocking the revised version. The Texas Constitution explicitly forbids “any county, city, town or other political corporation or subdivision of the State … to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual.”
Harris County has not announced how it will reallocate the program funds following the court decisions.