After the meeting, Hidalgo and the commissioners each released statements.
HOUSTON — An explosive scene unfolded inside Harris County Commissioners Court Thursday morning, as Judge Lina Hidalgo’s last-minute effort to place early childhood funding on the November ballot devolved into chaos, and ultimately failed to move forward.
Hidalgo had called on fellow commissioners to approve a proposal that would’ve allowed voters to decide on a one-cent property tax to support childcare and early learning programs for low-income families. Hidalgo said it would cost the average Harris County homeowner about $24 per year.
“We’re not raising taxes,” Hidalgo said during the meeting. “We’re simply asking voters whether they would like to see this continue.”
Dozens of children, parents, and early childhood advocates watched from inside the courtroom as tensions boiled over. Hidalgo invited children who benefit from county programs to join her at the front, leading to a heated back-and-forth between the judge and other commissioners.
This is an extended clip of the exchange Thursday before Judge Hidalgo called for a break.
Commissioner Lesley Briones repeatedly called for order and objected to what she described as disrespectful behavior, prompting a court officer to intervene and remind the room that public demonstrations were not allowed.
“This half-baked proposal did not have robust stakeholder engagement,” Briones said during the meeting. “It does not have a detailed program, detailed budget.”
Briones also pointed out that a final evaluation of the current childcare initiative isn’t expected until next year and said the court should revisit the issue during the next budget cycle, which begins August/September 2026.
With no formal vote taken before the noon deadline, the proposal missed its window to be placed on the November ballot.
Speaking to KHOU 11 News after the meeting, Judge Hidalgo defended her actions.
“I just never thought they would leave kids and families hanging like that, especially when the ask was to support the program but to ask the voters whether they support the program,” she said. “I was totally baffled, and I guess I was giving sort of a last shot, you know, this is all I’ve got. Here goes nothing.”
In the hours following the meeting, several commissioners issued statements condemning Hidalgo’s conduct.
Briones called the judge’s behavior “disruptive,” adding that it “distracted from serious issues.” Her office also clarified that the county is not cutting services, and that childcare programs are already funded through at least 2026, with the option to revisit funding during the next budget cycle.
Commissioner Adrian Garcia called it “particularly offensive” to see children “used as props” for political purposes.
Commissioner Tom Ramsey posted on X, calling the scene “an embarrassment for all of Harris County,” and said “an apology would be the decent thing to do.”
Statements from Judge Hidalgo and the commissioners following Thursday’s session.