HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is set to present a proposal for a tax increase to the county commissioners during Thursday’s meeting at Commissioners Court.
The plan, referred to as a penny tax, would impose an additional charge of $10 annually for every $100,000 of residential property value. Hidalgo noted that this increase aims to secure ongoing funding for the Early REACH program, which provides free child care for eligible children aged four and under, previously supported by federal COVID-19 relief funds. With those resources dwindling, Hidalgo indicated that alternative funding is essential to maintain the program’s operations.
Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey has voiced his opposition to the proposed tax hike, questioning its timing and the approach being taken. He has expressed concern that discussions about a tax increase should align with the county’s conventional budgetary processes, suggesting that raising taxes before the budget is set is premature.
Experts in local governance share similar apprehensions. Bill King, a policy fellow at the Baker Institute at Rice University, emphasized the importance of integrating new proposals into the regular budget cycle. He criticized the notion of earmarking funds for a specific project without considering the overall budget context.
If the commissioners decide to proceed with the proposal, it will ultimately be up to Harris County voters to approve the tax increase in the November election.
The tax hike isn’t the only significant item on the agenda for the commissioners court meeting. The future expansion of the Holistic Assistance Response Teams (HART) will also be discussed. This initiative allows trained non-law enforcement personnel to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises in the community.
The commissioners are expected to review the status of flood-mitigation projects funded by a $2.5 billion bond approved in 2018, which aims to enhance the county’s resilience against flooding.
This discussion reflects ongoing efforts in Harris County to balance community needs with fiscal responsibility, as officials seek to address pressing issues while navigating budgetary constraints.
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