HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County Commissioners Court is having a fierce debate over an apparent budget deficit. The court just has a few weeks to review and approve the proposed $2.7 billion budget for the upcoming year.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo claims the county is facing a $220 million deficit, Commissioner Tom Ramsey stated on X that the budget will be balanced, and Commissioner Lesley Briones estimates the deficit is around $48 million. On Tuesday, Hidalgo blamed her colleagues for putting Harris County in the red.

“Precincts 2, 3, and 4 did not follow the recommendations of the budget director, leading to a $200 [million] deficit they now have to patch...I’d like to call it shop-a-holic,” Hidalgo said during public comment.

Nearly 200 people signed up to speak, asking

See Full Page