Harris County claims it never adopted an annualized budget for 2022 and that it gave Constable Heap’s office a greater percentage of the total budget.
The comptroller’s analysis determined that Harris County reduced funds for law enforcement, but Harris County says the comptroller’s math is faulty.
The comptroller’s analysis found Harris County reduced at least one constable’s budget by more than $2.3 million for 2023.
Constable Mark Herman says both the district attorney and his staff are working to refile hundreds of cases including ones involving violence.
Although the parties have agreed the county may adopt a budget, the war of words between the comptroller and commissioners has continued.
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.
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.
Chair of the Hispanic Republicans of Texas, Mano DeAyala defeated Shelley Barineau for the GOP nomination to represent the West Houston district in the 2023 legislative session.
As the region grapples with rising homicide rates and concern over the county’s criminal justice policies and funding, Hidalgo faces challenges from both major political parties.
