Texas AG Ken Paxton Challenges State Housing Agency Over Religious Discrimination Claims
In a significant legal move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), accusing the agency of discriminating against religious entities seeking public funds for housing programs.
The lawsuit, filed on November 17, contends that TDHCA’s regulations force faith-based organizations to abandon their religious practices in order to qualify for funding. Paxton, emphasizing the constitutional implications, stated in a press release, “State agencies have no authority to force Christians and other religious organizations to censor their beliefs just to serve their communities.”
According to the lawsuit, TDHCA policies infringe upon the First Amendment and Texas constitutional rights by imposing restrictions on religious entities that do not apply to secular groups. The legal challenge targets the state’s homelessness assistance and Bootstrap Loan programs, both of which exclude funding for activities deemed explicitly religious.
Paxton is seeking a Travis County district court’s intervention to stop the enforcement of these restrictions, arguing for governmental neutrality in matters of religion and public benefits.
This legal action follows another recent lawsuit by Paxton, challenging the exclusion of religious students and organizations from certain state-funded education programs. The complaint argues that programs like the Texas College Work-Study Program and others have “nonsectarian” restrictions that violate the First Amendment.
Earlier in September, Paxton advocated for prayer in public schools, suggesting the use of the Lord’s Prayer, as allowed under Senate Bill 11, although the law was temporarily halted by a court injunction. The bill supports voluntary prayer and Bible reading in schools, with parental consent.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
