Bettencourt slams Hidalgo's $100 incentive for first-time COVID shot: 'This is ripe for fraud'

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo revealed on Aug. 17 that a new initiative will be incentivizing Texas residents with $100 to get the vaccine, which has drawn criticism from some GOP lawmakers. 

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) slammed Hidalgo on Twitter on Aug. 17 after the judge announced that anyone who gets their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will receive a $100 cash card. 

"How does @LinaHidalgoTX's offer of $100 for a first time COVID shot not violate the Texas Constitution Sec 52 (a)?" Bettencourt said in a tweet. "Judge Hidalgo can't grant public money to an individual! As someone who has watched over the taxpayers' money for decades – this is ripe for fraud too!"

Click2Houston reports that Hidalgo announced that residents who receive their first jab must complete a waiver before the vaccine and will need to remain in the post-shot waiting area for up to half an hour.

More than 98% of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to Hidalgo's office.

At the press conference, Hidalgo encouraged residents to leverage the $100 to support small businesses in the state. 

Bettencourt is the president and CEO of Bettencourt Tax Advisors L.L.C. and once served as the Harris County treasurer.

Elected to the Senate in 2014, Bettencourt represents District 7, which includes almost all of West Harris County. With a motto of “Get on-line, not in-line," his team invented the first major online property tax system to receive payments for Harris County, told by the senator's website. Some accomplishments that Bettencourt has received during his time as a senator were being named "Most Valuable Freshman" by Capitol Inside, "Outstanding Texas Legislator" by Vision America, “Taxpayer Advocate of the Year” by the Americans for Prosperity and “Hero of Faith” by the Houston Area Pastors’ Council. He also received the "Pioneer Award" from the Harris County Republican Party.