Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis on Friday issued the statement below criticizing Texas Supreme Court’s ruling that prohibits the county from distributing Uplift Harris funds to 1,900 low-income families until further order from the court:
“Once again, the narrow-minded powers in Austin have ruled against the working families of Texas. Uplift Harris is an innovative program based on highly successful efforts both outside and inside the state. It’s proven instrumental in pulling people from the brink of economic despair and is effective at reversing the burden of poverty smothering too many of our fellow Harris County residents.
Extreme partisan political leadership in our state is far more interested in attacking local decisions and local efforts to do the job they refuse to take on. By blocking Harris County’s use of federal dollars to assist our neighbors in addressing daily financial challenges – such as nutrition, health care or transportation – Austin leadership continues its intentional attack on the families who constitute the foundation of our state’s economy.
Now 1,900 working families who were expecting to have their lives changed have been robbed of a critical hand-up. But this fight is not over. I will tirelessly fight for Harris County families by using these resources in a manner that will allow them to thrive. This decision is a slap in the face to these 1,900 families and every one of the 750,000 people living under the crushing weight of poverty in Harris County.”