Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo delivered her annual State of the County address Friday, touching on issues ranging from public safety and early childhood education to Harris County’s global competitiveness.
The event, hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership, opened with remarks from GHP President and CEO Steve Kean before Hidalgo took the stage for her keynote.
Hidalgo began by recognizing law enforcement and telling the story of Precinct 1 Deputy Sheila Jones, who stopped a downtown gunman earlier this year and survived thanks to her bulletproof vest. Hidalgo praised Jones’ bravery and noted that public safety remains at the heart of the county’s strength. Since she took office, Hidalgo said, the county has increased its investment in public safety by 37 percent—about $500 million—bringing the total to $1.7 billion in the latest budget.
She also pointed to other county programs tackling root causes of crime and social instability, including the RISE program for at-risk youth, a 21 percent reduction in homelessness through a city-county partnership, and more than $20 million invested in behavioral and mental health services.
A major portion of the speech centered on early childhood education, which Hidalgo called one of the most important investments for Harris County’s future. She noted that federal American Rescue Plan dollars funded $149 million in early childhood and afterschool programs, serving about 60,000 families over the past three years. But with those funds expiring in 2026, Hidalgo warned that thousands of families risk losing access unless new, long-term funding is secured.
Earlier this year, Hidalgo proposed a one-cent property tax per $100 valuation—about $24 annually for the average Harris County homeowner—that would generate more than $60 million annually to sustain and expand the programs. The measure failed to win support from Commissioners Court to be placed on the ballot, despite polling that showed broad public backing.
“Early childhood education is not just a moral investment, it’s an economic one,” Hidalgo said, citing studies that show every dollar spent returns $9 in benefits through higher graduation rates, better wages, and lower crime. She pledged to continue pressing for the issue to go before voters in 2026.
Beyond education and public safety, Hidalgo highlighted other county initiatives:
- A new apprenticeship program that has trained more than 1,000 workers.
- The opening of the Hay Center, which provides housing and wraparound services for youth aging out of foster care.
- The Climate Justice Plan, developed with community input to prepare the county for the next century.
- Flood control projects, including the completed Clear Lake Gates Project, which helps prevent storm surge flooding from Galveston Bay.
- A lead abatement program that has removed lead from 800 homes and tested 20,000 residents.
Looking outward, Hidalgo emphasized Harris County’s growing role on the global stage. She said the region is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an event expected to generate about $1 billion in economic activity, and credited the county’s recent trade mission to Paris with attracting 50 foreign companies to expand operations locally.
Hidalgo closed by reaffirming her commitment to a “forward-looking” Harris County, vowing to continue investing in public safety, children, and international economic ties.
“We want to see a county that is fearless in building what the community deserves,” she said.
The program concluded with a fireside chat between Kean and Hidalgo.