Read previewThe Texas Attorney General's office sued Harris County, which contains Houston, over its new guaranteed income pilot that would give nearly 2,000 residents $500 a month for 18 months with no strings attached.
The state is seeking to block Harris County from giving its first payments to participants, which are slated to start in April.
In response, Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee said that the lawsuit is "nothing more than another attack" on the county government.
The Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot has distributed $1,000 a month to 135 low-income families, who reported using their money for housing, food, and other daily costs.
Republican lawmakers are trying to ban guaranteed income programs in states such as Arizona, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Persons:
—, Ken Paxton, Harris, Harris County Attorney Christian D, Menefee, Dustin Palmer, Paxton, Sen, Paul Bettencourt
Organizations:
Service, Texas, Business, American, Harris County Attorney, Republican, Austin
Locations:
Harris, Houston, Texas, Harris County, Austin, Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin