Harris County Facing a $200M+ Budget Deficit

Currently, Harris County is facing a projected budget deficit of $200–$270 million heading into the FY 2026 budget process. Amid this, the Commissioners Court has just approved a 3–2 vote to raise the pay of all eight constables to around $290K/year, more than double their FY 2024 salary of about $133K and even higher than the county sheriff’s pay.

County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis opposed the raise, arguing that the county doesn’t have the money and that approving such raises during a budget crisis is reckless.

I’m also pissed seeing folks coming after Lina Hidalgo. Yes, her methods can be polarizing; she was formally censured (3–1 vote) after a chaotic commissioners court meeting over her canceled “penny tax” proposal to fund early childcare. Critics accused her of using children to bolster her argument and breaking decorum during the session.

But let’s be honest, the censure was symbolic, with no real penalty. Hidalgo responded by calling the push for her removal “an affront to democratic principles” and said those critics can run against her in elections if they want a different direction.

And she has a point, playing politics instead of addressing the services and programs most of us rely on is infuriating.