Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo criticized the $100 million spent on raises for county law enforcement in a State of the County address Friday, instead urging the adoption of a proposed property tax rate hike to generate early childhood program funding.
Last month, Hidalgo attempted to get a so-called “penny tax” approved to help provide childcare for county residents. Her proposal, however, was rejected at a chaotic Commissioners Court meeting where dozens of children descended on the meeting, and officials traded caustic remarks. She also said that the county’s more-than $200 million deficit is the result of pay raises “we cannot afford,” and that cuts will impact county-run services and programs.
Hidalgo continued her dispute with county commissioners during her speech Friday, stating that tax raises for early childhood education should be put back on the ballot next year…