Thousands apply for limited Uplift Harris spots

Between the lines: 88% of applicants identified as Black or Hispanic.

What they're saying: "The huge amount of interest in this program shows how great the need is in Harris County for a program like Uplift Harris, especially among vulnerable communities. Reducing poverty and helping families who are struggling to meet basic needs should not be a political debate," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement.

• "We'll be looking into how we can fund this program long-term and hopefully help even more families in the future."

The intrigue: A similar guaranteed pilot program in Austin found that most of the additional income was spent on meeting the city's high housing costs.

The other side: In January, Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt questioned the program's constitutionality and asked state Attorney General Ken Paxton to issue an opinion.

• Bettencourt's question centers on whether the program violates a clause in the Texas Constitution that addresses local governments funneling public funds to individuals.

What's next: 1,928 eligible families will be randomly selected and notified by Feb. 26. The first cash payments will be distributed April 3.