HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she was disappointed after her proposal for a tax increase for early childhood education on the November ballot had failed Thursday morning once it became clear the measure did not have the votes.
Hidalgo had proposed the tax increase to continue funding child care programs that began with federal pandemic relief money, which is set to expire next year. The measure would have allowed voters to decide whether to support expanded child care slots and quality improvements.
The proposal ultimately failed because it was not placed on the November ballot before Thursday’s noon deadline.
Supporters urged the court to let voters decide, emphasizing the benefits to families. Critics argued the county cannot afford new programs amid a significant budget shortfall.
“We had a proposal on Commissioners Court to ask the voters in November whether or not they wanted to continue funding early education, and I could not get support from my Democratic colleagues to just put that on the ballot,” Hidalgo said after the decision. “I think we’re sort of, as Democrats, becoming what we voted against. I’m so disappointed, but we live to fight another day.”
In a social media post, Hidalgo wrote, “It’s very disappointing that my colleagues not only don’t believe kids are worth a penny, they don’t believe in asking voters whether they think kids are worth a penny. I’ve been fighting for this since I took office in 2019, and I’ll continue fighting for these kids and families who are about to lose their early childhood education. I’m not done.”
Hidalgo appeared in an Instagram video alongside children and families who have benefited from the program, many of whom now face losing access to child care.
Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia took issue with the county judge’s decision to bring children into the courtroom to try to persuade the court.
Garcia issued the following statement regarding Thursday’s commissioner’s court:
“It’s beyond frustrating to yet again witness Judge Hidalgo’s disruptive behavior at Commissioners Court today. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards. It was particularly offensive to witness her trying to use children as props for her political agenda. The people of Harris County deserve better.”
Commissioner Lesley Briones also released the following statement:
“I was disappointed to witness Judge Hidalgo’s disruptive behavior at Commissioners Court today; it distracted from the serious issues before us. As colleagues, we may disagree, but fundamental respect and decorum are non-negotiable. The democratic process is built on civil debate, and as elected leaders we must hold ourselves to the highest standards. The people of Harris County deserve better.”