A diverse coalition of community leaders, activists, elected officials and concerned citizens are calling on local and state officials, faith leaders, business leaders and others to call for State Attorney General Ken Paxton to reverse his move to sue Harris County to put an end to its guaranteed income pilot program called Uplift Houston.
“Uplift Harris is morally right; it should not be politically wrong,” said Dr. James Dixon, head of NAACP Houston. “The Houston NAACP and partners are proud and passionate to announce our support for Uplift Harris. We are living in times of extreme financial crisis. The number of families that are poor are increasing and the burden of poverty is a social crisis of epidemic proportion.”
Present at the April 17, 2024 press conference held at NAACP Houston headquarters were representatives from the Houston Area Urban League, Greater Houston Justice Coalition, LULAC #4967, Houston Metropolitan Ministers Conference, Pure Justice, OCA-Houston and more.
The Issue
The gathering was spurred on by the recent Paxton action reminiscent of the sadistic tycoon on “The Simpsons,” Mr. Burns, who took pleasure in using his vast wealth and power to make life nearly impossible for the poor and working class. Paxton’s lawsuit against Harris County’s federally funded guaranteed income pilot program (Uplift Harris) seeks to stop the participating 1,928 low-income Harris County families from receiving $500 a month, funds these households already designated to pay rent, keep the lights on and buy food.
The lawsuit falsely claims that Uplift Harris program is illegal under Texas law and in practice. If Paxton, who is estimated to be “worth” over $10 million and was indicted on two counts of securities fraud (stealing), a first-degree felony with a punishment of up to 99 years in prison, is successful in his efforts to block needy families from receiving $500 a month, it could mean not only days of missed meals and cut off power, but potential evictions.
“We are 100% in favor of Uplift Harris and are advocating for the continuation of this very vital program. All of our organizations serve the population of those who are financially disadvantaged. We are familiar with their dire circumstances and the ancillary struggles that these families are facing on a day-to-day basis in Houston and in Harris County. Therefore, we want to commend our County Judge, Judge Lina Hidalgo and all of the commissioners of Harris County who stand in support of Uplift Harris,” said Dixon, who is also pastor of Community of Faith Church.
“We believe that this is a public policy that makes moral sense and it makes sense from the humanitarian perspective, be you Democrat or Republican, Black, white or Brown or Asian or other. We believe that this is one of the greatest demonstrations of human compassion coming from a public entity in some time,” added Dixon, who then took those who were gathered for the press conference to church.
“Psalm 82:3 says, ‘Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.’ We think that this is absolutely in alignment with what Uplift Harris is all about – defending the poor and the oppressed. And at such a time as this we want to applaud public officials for rising to that level of moral responsibility on behalf of our disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.”
LULAL #4967 president, Dr. Sergio Lira, pointed out that poverty doesn’t discriminate.
“Whether you’re undocumented, a legal resident or U.S. citizen, poverty is real,” he said before describing how his wife and several others were busy making food plates and attempting to raise money for Spanish-speaking single mothers to help pay their electric bills.
“Remember, Reliant Energy does not forgive. If you miss that payment, they’ll cut your services tomorrow,” he shared.
Lira also pointed out how the state’s wealthier citizens have received an over-abundance of state-funded financial support in the form of PPA loans and tax abatements and wondered aloud had state officials lost their compassion for the poor. Then, he also took press conference attendees to church.
“Like the good book says, ‘What you do to the least of us, you do unto me.’ So, those politicians who would oppose [Uplift Houston], just remember that, and please do the right thing.”
“We see firsthand everyday community members doing everything they can to make ends meet but simply can’t,” stated Selena Grables, a Gen Z member of Pure Justice. “Programs like Uplift Harris provide the assistance they need to help to avoid a complete financial crisis… and give them a chance to get ahead, even if it’s just a little.”
Jamilla Walker represented the Houston Area Urban League and shared words from the organization’s president, Judson Robinson III:
“It is imperative that our state leaders acknowledge the crucial significance of initiatives like Uplift Harris rather than just dismissing them outright… It is particularly insensitive to withdraw support from those who are in need and who have applied and have been approved for this assistance sanctioned by the Commissioners Court, especially amidst the challenges posed by inflation. In the words of the late Houston legendary broadcaster Marvin Zindler, ‘It is hell to be poor.’”
In January, Harris County created the Uplift Harris guaranteed income pilot program, joining more than 80 cities and counties across the nation and other countries around the world that have seen success through similar programs. In Texas, San Antonio and Austin ran similar programs starting in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
“I feel for these families whose plans and livelihoods are being caught up in political posturing by Trumpian leaders in Texas,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, in a statement released last week. “Like with abortion rights and basic gun safety, Texas far-right leaders grab at any opportunity to proclaim their Trumpian rhetoric, and they do it with impunity because they know that the people they’re hurting are not their billionaire donors, but everyday people with limited political power.”
“I have many of my colleagues in the State Legislature and in state government who are proud Christian conservatives,” said State Rep Ron Reynolds, who was also in attendance at the press conference. “But they go against all of the principles Bishop [Dixon] that you just articulated. What are we doing for the least of them? I see time after time Gov. Abbott and unfortunately my Republican colleagues in charge cater to the wealthiest 3% with corporate tax breaks, corporate loopholes, incentives for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-to-do. And here we have a great program right here in Harris County that doesn’t raise tax payers’ dollars, that benefits the vulnerable citizens of this state that happen to reside in Harris County. Let’s be real about this Bishop; many of these citizens happen to be Black and Brown. What kind of message is this state sending to the minorities in this community?”
Uplift Harris is Vital
Dixon said Uplift Harris is vital for survival and gave specific reasons for his stance.
“Every family in Harris County deserves access to the opportunities and resources that they need to prosper. But too many families, especially in Black and Brown communities, are struggling to get by without a way to get ahead due to decades of neglect, discrimination and unfair barriers to shared prosperity and opportunity,” said Dixon, who also mentioned the pandemic’s ongoing impact, rising costs and low wages that are making it harder for all people to thrive.
“People are stretching every dollar and still are unable to make ends meet. Our seniors are choosing between meals and medication. Low-wage workers put in 40 or more hours of work per week and are still falling short of the ability to take care of their families. With one out of five children growing up in poverty in Harris County, parents are struggling with impossible choices while trying to care for their children. Groceries or gas? Phone bill or internet? School supplies or diapers? Invaluable time with your children or taking on a back-breaking second or third and sometimes even a fourth job? These are the difficult decisions that people who are living below the poverty line are having to make on a day-by-day and week-by-week basis,” he added.
Actions Urged
Those gathered called for the following actions: 1) All Harris County officials to stand united in support of Uplift Harris and for the courts to rule in favor of continuing the program; 2) All state officials to reconsider their action against Uplift Harris and 3) all Harris County citizens, especially, faith leaders and business leaders, to strongly advocate for Uplift Harris on behalf of vulnerable families and citizens.
“We’re approaching another Houston hot summer. Air condition bills are going up. Electricity bills will be on the rise. It’s also Hurricane Season. We are putting people’s lives at stake on behalf of politics…. Every Wednesday at my church we have a food distribution program. We feed nearly 2,000 citizens in Harris County every Wednesday, supplying them with groceries in partnership with the Houston Area Food Bank and others. To see people in these dire situations, that week-long worth of groceries makes a difference in their ability to be able to pay rent or buy medicine. This is a Texas crisis. It’s a Houston crisis. It’s a Harris County crisis. And for anyone, especially our state officials, to think that this program needs to be stopped and to file a lawsuit against the County in regards to it, is absolutely objectionable, it is reprehensible, it is unconscionable and it is certainly not in keeping with the standards of high moral values, and it certainly does not reflect a Judeo-Christian ethos,” said Dixon.
Dixon added: “To that end, we urge action not to defend the poor by supporting Uplift Harris. It is morally right. How could it be politically wrong?”
