As the county grapples with a daunting case backlog and a jail at capacity, violent suspects released on bond continue to pose challenges for public safety.
Calling Harris County’s bail system “broken,” Abbott signed a new bail reform law in Houston and criticized progressive judges for releasing violent suspects.
Although the county has already paid $539,000, a firestorm of controversy over a contract awarded to a well-connected Democrat has prompted county Judge Hidalgo to agree to seek cancellation.
Mayor Turner promised more officers, but Harris County has moved funds away from constables while funding interventions managed by the public health department.
Only representatives from county Judge Lina Hidalgo’s office and the county’s public health department were allowed to participate in vendor selection.
Decrying other proposals as “splashy headlines,” Hidalgo and Garcia sought a 6-month expansion of criminal courts but passed a resolution condemning a legislative fix to felony bond policy.
Despite demand for more time to review a plan only unveiled last week, Hidalgo and Democratic commissioners pushed through a vote to approve a substantial restructuring of county government.
Community leaders and elected officials are sounding the alarm on a proposal from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo to realign county government under an appointed administrator.
After the Federal Highway Administration heeded Democrat calls to shut down the I-45 expansion project, Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey condemned the decision as one that would hurt underserved communities.
Recently approved policy says Harris County employees must continue to wear masks unless they qualify for certain exemptions that include obtaining a “visible identifier” showing they are fully vaccinated.
In a rare show of bipartisanship, Harris County state lawmakers and county officials have soundly condemned GLO systems that excluded the county and city of Houston from flood mitigation funding.
After maintaining Harris County at the highest threat level for 47 weeks, Judge Lina Hidalgo announced a revision to the alert system allowing for a reduced COVID-19 rating.
A resolution from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo opposes bans on sex-change procedures for children and efforts to prevent biological males from competing in girls’ sports.
A Harris County report sparked controversy for excluding data from the district attorney’s office, and commissioners clash over felony bail legislation.
Voters in hurricane-ravaged Harris County overwhelmingly approved a $2.5 billion bond for flood mitigation in 2018, but a significant shortfall is forcing the county to seek additional funding.
Commissioners of the state’s most populous county unanimously approved the exploration of ERCOT alternatives, while Democrats pushed a resolution condemning Republican leadership.
A controversial consulting group hired by Harris County recommended significant reforms and expansion of county services to promote equity and other goals.
As Harris County faces a case clearance backlog and criminal justice staffing shortages, commissioners approve a temporary staff increase for the district attorney’s office.
Last August a Harris County judge released a murder suspect who claimed to be a devil worshipper on a $25,000 bond. The defendant has now been charged in the November shooting death of another man.
Instead of complying with instructions to rescind the appointment of an elections administrator, the Harris County attorney will draft a response to the attorney general on a challenge to the legality of the process.
