Overview

• Hidalgo’s proposal for a one-cent property tax increase to sustain Early REACH, County Connections and ACCS missed the noon deadline on August 7 and will not appear on the November ballot.
• Commissioners Lesley Briones, Tom Ramsey and Adrian Garcia voted to formally censure Hidalgo for repeated decorum violations and encouraging children to pressure members in court.
• The censure carried a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Rodney Ellis dissenting, and will be entered into the official court record without affecting Hidalgo’s authority.
• County officials have assured that COVID-era relief funds will keep early childhood programs running through September 2026 despite the failed ballot measure.
• Commissioners have pointed to a roughly $270 million budget deficit and are awaiting a University of Houston evaluation before committing to long-term funding.