According to new data, there have been 491 homicides in Harris County since the start of 2022 as the region continues to grapple with rising violent crime.
Abbott criticized Harris County judges on bail policy and said a state constitutional amendment is needed to hold dangerous suspects without bond.
Republicans boycotted a tax increase vote, and in retaliation, Commissioner Adrian Garcia halted proposed projects in their precincts.
Although the parties have agreed the county may adopt a budget, the war of words between the comptroller and commissioners has continued.
In 2021, a Capital Murder bond for Taylor had been set for $200,000. But Judge Amy Martin lowered bond and released the suspect now charged with the murder of a deputy constable.
Alexandra del Moral Mealer called for a plan to increase county law enforcement staffing by 1,000 officers to combat a dramatic rise in crime since 2019.
The city’s police chief reported that overall crime is down from last year while still well above 2019 levels.
Commissioners voted 3 to 1 to hire two outside legal firms to fight state-imposed repercussions for defunding police.
The county defended taking rollover funds from law enforcement agencies, but Lina Hidalgo and commissioners will keep such funds in the proposed budget.
The county must seek voter approval for a budget that reduces law enforcement funding or property taxes will be frozen at the no-new-revenue rate.
Hidalgo, facing a fierce challenge from a Republican, struck out at fellow Democratic officials over what she called “misinformation” about public safety.
Kim Ogg warned that Houston’s no-questions-asked program would impede the investigation and prosecution of violent crime and incentivize firearm theft.
