HOUSTON – During a special budget meeting Thursday, County Judge Lina Hidalgo directly challenged three colleagues—Commissioners Lesley Briones, Adrian Garcia, and Tom Ramsey—who recently voted to censure her. She urged the group, dubbed the “GOP 3,” to reduce their combined $90 million precinct budgets to help close the funding gap.
“What are you willing to sacrifice from your $90.3 million budget per precinct to cover the $200 million deficit?” Hidalgo asked during a news conference. “Unless my colleagues can make money grow on trees, yes, there will be cuts to basic services. Let’s not pretend otherwise.”
Commissioner Tom Ramsey pushed back, emphasizing that precinct budgets fund road and bridge maintenance, parks, and community centers—not just administrative costs.
“Those dollars we have within precincts are for specific services to constituents,” Ramsey said. “Just because you lose votes in Commissioners Court doesn’t mean you punish those who didn’t agree with you.”
Briones and Garcia echoed Ramsey’s points, stressing that precinct budgets support vital community needs and are separate from the general fund, which covers pay raises and countywide services.
Both commissioners said they are exploring ways to maintain services effectively.
“We’re looking at everything,” Garcia said. “Looking at it doesn’t mean it’s going to get cut. We’re going to make smart, strategic decisions.”
Briones added, “No core services on my watch will be cut.”
They pointed to cost-saving measures such as a six-month hiring freeze and leaving some vacant positions unfilled for over 100 days. These steps, they argue, could free up funds without slashing essential services.
When asked why residents should trust the court amid conflicting messages, Hidalgo urged the public to focus on facts.
“People should look at the numbers and past meetings. There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors going on, but the people of this county are smarter than that.”
She reiterated her long-standing view that voters should have been consulted before approving pay raises for constables, which she says contributed to the deficit.
“Let’s go to the voters. Let’s not cut $100 million in services without asking, ‘Would you like to cover those raises or keep the services?’”
The budget process is ongoing, with more meetings planned in the coming weeks. A final plan is expected by September.
