Harris County Commissioners Block Two Tax Hike Proposals

Harris County Commissioners Block Two Tax Hike Proposals

By | Texas Scorecard | August 7, 2025

Harris County commissioners rejected County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s proposed property tax increase, failing to take a vote before the noon deadline to place it on the November ballot.

Proponents of the labeled “penny tax” argue the monies would generate about $60 million annually to continue child care programs funded by expiring federal taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief monies. This hike would add roughly $24–$28 to the average homeowner’s bill.

Hidalgo disrupted the commissioners court proceedings by interrupting her colleagues and holding signs with her staff in an attempt to push the hike.

She encouraged children in the audience to loudly demand the tax increase and confronted commissioners who did not support her plan.

Right before noon, the meeting reached its chaotic peak with commissioners accusing each other of lying to the public.

Hidalgo, clearly frustrated, called a break in the meeting.

The decision marks a setback for Hidalgo’s agenda.

Last year, commissioners used a disaster exemption to approve a sharp property tax increase without voter approval.

In 2024, the commissioners court approved a property tax hike for fiscal year 2025 that raised the county’s overall tax rate about 10 percent—from $0.35007 to $0.38529 per $100 of valuation.

The move used the state’s disaster-rate allowance to bypass the standard 3.5 percent voter-approval trigger, citing costs tied to the May derecho and Hurricane Beryl.

Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Democrat Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia withheld support for Hidalgo’s proposal.

Hidalgo motioned to schedule a public hearing about the tax increase proposal. No one seconded her. Hidalgo then claimed she never made a motion.

Hidalgo later told Texas Scorecard her colleagues had killed the plan by not voting by noon.

Democrats hold a 4–1 majority on the court, but the outcome underscored internal divisions.

Without the tax hike, COVID-era child care programs will face funding cuts as federal dollars run out. Other cuts will be needed to address the county’s large budget deficit.

After last year’s contentious tax increase, the defeat of this year’s proposal reflects growing citizen resistance to additional tax burdens.

After the failed proposal, Commissioner Rodney Ellis proposed his own tax increase plan.

Commissioners Garcia, Briones, and Ramsey voted no, blocking Ellis and Hidalgo, who had seconded the motion.

Joseph is a journalist for Texas Scorecard reporting from Houston. With a background in business, Joseph is passionate about covering issues impacting citizens.