Commissioner Tom Ramsey called a map proposed by Rodney Ellis “the most corrupt plan I've ever seen in my 45 years of doing work in Harris County.”
The county will invest in planting trees, adding streetlights and sidewalks, and cleaning up vacant lots in a program designed to reduce the dramatic rise in violent crime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
