Please see the release and letter from Judge Lina Hidalgo to the County Auditor and Director of the Office of Management and Budget asking Commissioners Court to reevaluate budget decisions so the county can fund promised flood bond projects at this link: bit.ly/4nqbY4G

Commissioners say the only way to close Harris County’s $200M deficit is by cutting services within our county departments, including the criminal justice system. However, there is still time for Commissioners Court to make a change. See all the budget cuts here: bit.ly/3IFex3x

Happy Rosh Hashanah to all who celebrate! Wishing everyone a blessed new year full of joy, peace, and togetherness.

Today, Harris County Commissioners Court voted to redirect $18.8M in federal funding, formerly designated for the county’s guaranteed income pilot program, toward housing, homelessness prevention and food assistance services.

Please see the statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

The 2018 flood bond dashboard is now live! After the community called for more transparency and accessibility, Judge Lina Hidalgo asked the Harris County Flood Control District to create a centralized dashboard with more information for the public. Link to view: hcfcd.org/2018-bond-program

The PIC fund is used to support the many emergencies we face, including hurricanes, floods, and storm recovery. The proposed budget sets a bad precedent by not providing annual funding, especially at a time when the federal government and FEMA are also facing funding uncertainty.

A hiring freeze is a cut, and it’s not thoughtful! The hiring freeze will significantly affect county services and residents’ daily quality of life. Hiring freezes prevent Harris County from filling key roles that serve our growing county.

Judge Hidalgo is very proud of what Harris County has achieved. It’s been, and continues to be, an incredible honor for her to represent Harris County, and she looks forward to continuing the work. Learn more about Judge Hidalgo’s accomplishments so far here: bit.ly/judge-hidalgo-accomplishments.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, Harris County! During this month we celebrate the traditions, cuisines, and rich histories that our Latino and Hispanic communities bring to our county.

Please see the statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Today, we remember those we lost on September 11, 2001 and pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of first responders, families, and everyday heroes. We thank them for putting their lives at risk that day, and every day, to serve our community.

Please see the statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Earlier this year, Judge Hidalgo hosted an event to ending the stigma around mental health. As someone who knows firsthand the importance of mental healthcare, Judge Hidalgo encourages anyone who is struggling to call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Thank you to the over 100 Harris County residents that came to Commissioners Court to fight for their essential services. Judge Hidalgo called on her colleagues to negotiate and let the voters decide instead of unilaterally making cuts that will harm Harris County residents for years to come.

ICYMI: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo sat down with Hello Houston to break down the County’s budget deficit and explain how the majority of Commissioners Court voted to put the county deeper into a financial hole. Catch her full interview using the link below: www.youtube.com/live/8l2jjFQ...

Judge Hidalgo had the honor of delivering her State of the County Address at a luncheon hosted by GHP. During her address, Judge Hidalgo continued to advocate for early childhood education, highlighted the 50 businesses that will be coming to Harris County, and outlined her vision for Harris County.

As Harris County Commissioners consider tough choices on spending, the community weighs in. Read more here: houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/harris-county-budget-21030964.php

Hearings on the Harris County budget start today at 10:00AM. Stream live on our Facebook (facebook.com/HarrisCoJudge/) to learn more about the cuts forced by 3 other Commissioners to the county budget.

8 years have passed since Hurricane Harvey swept through Harris County, causing mass destruction and loss of life. Learn more about what Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County have been doing to make sure we’re prepared before, during, and after a disaster strikes.

Your county government is in the middle of the budget process and facing a $200 million budget deficit caused by 3 Commissioners. This budget deficit will lead to cuts in programs that you rely on and care about. Hear directly from Harris County department heads about how cuts will impact you:

Please see the statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Yesterday, at Commissioners Court, Judge Hidalgo had the pleasure of presenting two resolutions honoring the USA Soaring Phoenix Dragon & Lion Dance Association and Kingwood High School on winning the 2025 UIL 6A Division II State Baseball Championship.

Today, we’re celebrating Women’s Equality Day and the passage of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution that granted women the right to vote. Want to support the women in your life? Check your voter registration status here: harrisvotes.com.

Judge Hidalgo shed a light on the budget deficit made by 3 Commissioners and their proposed countywide cuts. Judge Hidalgo will not vote for a budget that harms constituents’ quality of life. Thank you to those who spoke on the budget. Learn more below and speak out! cjo.harriscountytx.gov/Media…

Please see the statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

The Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo presented a resolution to Gulf Coast Blood to celebrate their new location at the Texas Medical Center. The non-profit provides over 24,700 units of blood and hosts over 130 blood drives each month to provide life-saving blood for Harris County residents and beyond.

Judge Hidalgo continues to advocate for closing the county’s $209M deficit without cutting vital programs and services that residents depend on. Here are 5 facts about the county budget:

Throughout the budget process, Judge Hidalgo has fought to save programs that serve families. Harris County faces a deficit of more than $200M. By September, Commissioners Court must do the hard work to find solutions while preserving the programs and services most important to residents.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living with integrity, compassion, and selfless service. The Office of Judge Hidalgo was thrilled to present a proclamation to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrating their sacred festival.

As our Summer Fellowship Program comes to an end, Judge Lina Hidalgo joined us to say goodbye to our wonderful fellows. Hailing from colleges across the nation, they worked alongside our policy and external affairs teams on key projects. To our fellows, stay true to yourself and change the world!

Join us for the State of the County, hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership @GHpartnership on September 5! Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will discuss improving resiliency, early childhood education, and global collaboration. ➡️Register today: Houston.org/events/state-county

Ahead of today’s special Commissioners Court on the budget, Judge Hidalgo outlined how the budget process works and the proposed cuts that Harris County is facing. She encouraged residents to get involved in the process and make their voices heard about programs they want to preserve.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo sat down with Rilwan Balogun from Channel 2 to discuss the continued fight for early childhood education and giving every child in Harris County the best start in life. Tune in here: tinyurl.com/59343mpx

The Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo wishes all students good luck as they begin the new school year.

Judge Lina Hidalgo is deeply grateful to every parent, child, provider, and advocate who showed up, spoke out, and stood tall for early childhood education in Harris County. Our children are our greatest investment, and Judge Hidalgo will not give up the fight to fund the future they deserve.

Our business and community leaders understand how important our children are to the future of our workforce and economy. Please see the letter from these leaders to members of Harris County Commissioners Court.

“Let me be clear, I am not asking county commissioners to approve taxes for early childhood education. I am asking them to let you decide whether early childhood education is something we should continue investing in as a community.” Read Judge Hidalgo’s op-ed here: tinyurl.com/24caw24d

Harris County has served over 60,000 children through our early childhood programs. This Thursday, Commissioners will have the chance to let voters decide whether to continue these programs. Learn more in Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s interview with the Texas Tribune: tinyurl.com/4dumwjde

Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo met with key stakeholders to discuss plans to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the tournaments safely.

Judge Lina Hidalgo had the pleasure of meeting with some of the teams playing in the Genuine Cup, the only global soccer
tournament for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the world. Harris County is so proud to host this tournament this week and wishes all the teams luck!

Judge Lina Hidalgo took part in a panel discussion hosted by the Genuine Foundation held at Rice University. With over 150,000 residents with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) in Harris County, many who face systemic barriers, the panel discussion focused on data driven insights.

The Office of Judge Hidalgo joined a back-to-school giveaway event hosted by Houston Texans players CJ Stroud, Tank Dell and the C.J. Stroud Foundation. More than 500 Houston area families received backpacks at the event, which helps make sure kids can succeed during the school year.

Meet some of the faces of our summer learning programs in Harris County. Thanks to the county’s historic investment in early childhood education, thousands of kids have the opportunity to learn new skills outside of regular classroom time.

Harris County has more than 70 summer learning programs that help kids catch up on key skills and learn new ones. Since 2021, these programs have brought summer learning opportunities to over 20,000 kids in Harris County.

Investing in kids and families is one of Harris County’s top priorities.

Yesterday, Judge Lina Hidalgo had the honor of speaking at a Bastille Day event. Thank you to Consul General of France in Houston Valerie Baraban for her continued friendship. In Harris County, we’re building stronger global partnerships and making our region the number one place to invest in.

After recent flooding in Central Texas, the Harris Center is helping administer the Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line. The new support line can be reached at 833-812-2480 and will provide 24/7 emotional support at no cost to survivors, families, and others impacted by the catastrophic floods.

Please see the statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo.