Through the Guaranteed Income Program, Harris County, Texas, has started a program called Uplift Harris to help families who are struggling financially. Selected families are given $500 per month for 18 months as part of this effort to assist with rent and grocery bills. Though there are only roughly 2,000 spaces available, more than 67,000 applications have already been submitted for the Guaranteed Income Program, indicating that demand considerably outweighs supply.
Harris County Uplift Harris Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Federal Funds, While Body Camera Initiative Sparks Jail Safety Transparency Debate
In order to qualify for Uplift Harris, candidates must be residents of one of Harris County’s 10 most impoverished zip codes and make less than 200% of the federal poverty threshold, or about $60k for a family of four. Despite the program’s widespread appeal, a few state legislators, including Senator Paul Bettencourt, have expressed disapproval and asked for an inquiry into how federal funds were used for the Guaranteed Income Program.
The Harris County Commissioners Court deliberated on equipping correctional officials at the county jail with body cameras in addition to Uplift Harris. This action is a reaction to several deaths at the facility that occurred in 2023, resulting in the deaths of almost 20 prisoners. Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Adrian Garcia are among the commissioners who think body cams could improve accountability and transparency in the jail setting by addressing issues outside the purview of the Guaranteed Income Program.
Body Camera Debate and Guaranteed Income Program: Harris County Supports Transparency
But not everyone believes that body cams are effective. LaRhonda Biggles, whose son passed away in custody, maintains her skepticism, pointing out that the death was not prevented by the security cameras in place at the time. Commissioner Garcia maintains that body cams provide a more complete picture of interactions inside the jail and may result in better safety protocols in spite of this skepticism—a viewpoint that goes beyond the debates surrounding the Guaranteed Income Program.
Body cameras are now only worn by a small percentage of correctional officers, but by the summer, the county wants every officer to have one. Judge Hidalgo assures the public that continued efforts are being made to improve jail safety and transparency, and that frequent reports on the developments of these initiatives—including the advancements made under the Guaranteed Income Program—will be provided.
