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Harris County
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County Judge· 2019-2026

Lina Hidalgo

Harris County

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
3

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
20
Total speaking time
12:00:22
Avg per meeting
36:01
Segments
12040

Want every word Hidalgo has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Hidalgo said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

critical↓Jun 2026[64]

Harris County Jail Operations and Conditions

Directly impacts costly out-of-county inmate outsourcing expenditures.

critical↑Jul 2026[51]

Election Administration Capacity

The cost of the election is covered by the existing county election budget.

critical↑May 2026[44]

Automated License Plate Reader Privacy and Oversight

The contract renewal costs $868,975 for the year.

medium↑Oct 2026[39]

Data Center Growth and Environmental Burdens

Potential tax abatements and substantial capital investments from private technology corporations.

critical→Apr 2026[28]

Flood Mitigation Strategy

Protected hundreds of millions in federal infrastructure grants and unlocked roughly $125 million in additional mitigation work.

high↑Feb 2026[27]

county election

The office manages a significant legal budget, so the winner’s approach to litigation and outside counsel could shift how your tax dollars are spent.

critical→Aug 2026[24]

FY 2027 County Budget and Property Tax Increase

Impacts all county taxpayers and department funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year.

medium→Jun 2026[23]

data center regulation

You might see lower utility bills or more stable energy prices if these centers are forced to pay more for the massive amount of power they consume.

high↑Apr 2026[21]

immigration policy enforcement

Taxpayers could be on the hook for massive legal fees as the city and state burn through cash fighting this out in court.

critical→Jan 2026[19]

Public Safety Staffing and Pay Parity

County faces a projected $130 million budget deficit next year while constable pay has grown 129% since 2024.

critical↓Feb 2026[18]

County Treasurer Salary Grievance

The county spent $54.4 million on temporary workers in 2025.

critical→Jul 2026[18]

Public Health and Pollution Control Funding

Proposed budget offsets could result in a $1.6 million reduction in psychiatric emergency services.

high↑May 2026[17]

HISD Special Education Restructuring Concerns

While the exact price tag isn't clear yet, fighting a state takeover in court and restructuring district management will likely drain local taxpayer dollars.

medium↑May 2026[17]

public official conduct

While there's no direct hit to your wallet yet, potential legal fees or a special election to replace her could eventually cost taxpayers.

medium↑Dec 2025[15]

political candidacy

The race will likely trigger a special election or appointment process to fill her council seat, which will cost taxpayers money.

critical↑Jul 2026[14]

ICE Shooting Transparency

Diverting local police time to handle federal immigration tasks could end up costing taxpayers more by pulling officers away from local crime prevention.

high↑Jul 2026[12]

Housing Affordability and Eviction Prevention

The department is managing a $156 million total budget, with $20.7 million in general fund support.

critical↓Mar 2026[12]

Infrastructure and Permitting Efficiency

Includes various contract additions, deductions, and engineering fees totaling several million dollars.

high↑Mar 2026[11]

County Facility Capital Improvements and Repairs

$2,228,375 contract award

high↑Apr 2026[11]

Black Maternal Health Initiative and Mortality Rates

Supported by previously allocated ARPA and county health funds.

Decisions during term (1374)

Recorded while Hidalgo was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved4-0Oct 29, 2026

Consent agenda (all items except 65, 84, 188, and no-action items)

approved3-1Oct 29, 2026

Item 65 — Lone Star Legal Aid eviction defense funding

approved3-1Oct 29, 2026

Item 84 — Naturalization Initiative Program grant

approved3-1Oct 29, 2026

Item 188 — LGBTQ+ History Month resolution

approved4-0Oct 29, 2026

Resolutions 180-187 and 189-191

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of the reappointment of Carol Paret, a nominee from the County Judge, to the Harris County Hospital District Board of Trustees, dba Harris Health System Board, Position 5, for a term beginning January 24, 2027, and…

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of the appointment of David Trickett, a nominee from the Commissioner of Precinct 3, to the Harris County Office of Managed Assigned Counsel Board of Directors, for a term ending October 29, 2030.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of the appointment of Markia Bordeaux, a nominee from the Commissioner of Precinct 4, to the African American Cultural Heritage Commission, Position 4, for a term beginning October 30, 2026, and ending October 30, 2028.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of the reappointment of Rixi Castillo, a nominee from the Commissioner of Precinct 4, to the Harris County Essential Workers Board, Position 4, for a term ending October 29, 2029.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Universal Services for the Telephone System Repair Replace project in the additional amount of $865,000 for total CP funding of $6,510,000.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Office of Justice and Safety for the CSCD Complex - Atascocita Phase 2 project in the additional amount of $5,055,000 for a total CP funding of $75,515,000.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval of authorized budget appropriation transfers for the Flood Control District and certain county departments.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to change classifications on certain positions.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an agreement with Geoscience Engineering & Testing, Inc. in the amount of $284,125.00 for Professional Engineering Services regarding Construction Materials Testing and related Service for Roadway…

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an agreement with Alliance Laboratories, Inc. in the amount of $609,001.00 for Professional Engineering Services regarding Construction Materials Testing and related Service for Roadway Maintenance - Asphalt…

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an agreement with InfraTECH Engineers & Innovators, LLC. in the amount of $501,406.28 for professional engineering services in connection with Study and Design of Frick Road Sidewalk from Ann Louise Road to…

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an Advance Funding Agreement with TXDOT in the amount of $66,147.38 for the traffic signal installation in connection with Traffic Signal - Mueschke Rd at US-290 - 2026, UPIN 26103JZ7BB01, Precinct 3.

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Jacinto City, allowing Harris County to provide limited-period debris removal services with full cost reimbursement upon Court approval, for Harris County, UPIN…

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Tomball in connection with construction of a trail within Jerry Matheson Park, conveyance of the land to Harris County from City of Tomball to Harris County where…

approvedOct 29, 2026

Request for approval to execute an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Seabrook to construct various improvements to North Meyer Avenue from SH 146 to East Meyer Avenue, UPIN 26102CYW8C01, Precinct 2.

Voting record (21)

15 yes5 no1 abstained

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesOct 15, 2026

Adoption of Mental Health and IDD Dashboard Initiative

Voted yesOct 15, 2026

ALPR Working Group and Policy Development

Voted yesSep 22, 2026

Approval of Routine Agenda Items 1 through 167 (excluding Resolutions)

Voted yesSep 22, 2026

Approval of Remaining Court Resolutions

Voted noSep 17, 2026

Adoption of Harris County General Tax Rate

Voted against the tax rate and budget to protest a lack of fiscal transparency and failure to bring major spending commitments to voters.

Voted noSep 17, 2026

Adoption of FY 2027 Harris County General Fund Budget

Voted noAug 6, 2026

Elected Officials and Appointed Department Head Salary Reviews

Voiced opposition to large percentage pay increases for certain elected officials while smaller departments remain underfunded.

Voted yesJul 9, 2026

Retiree Prescription Drug Plan (Option 3)

Voted yesJun 25, 2026

Approval of Executive Session and Ratification of Flood Control District Executive Director

Voted yesJun 11, 2026

CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT Realignment Strategy Approval

Voted yesJun 11, 2026

Extension of M/WBE Policy

AbstainedMay 28, 2026

Item 86: Flock Safety Contract Renewal

Abstained from voting after expressing frustration over the lack of proper discussion time and concerns regarding data privacy.

Voted yesMay 14, 2026

Homestead Tax Exemption Increase for Seniors and Disabled Residents

Voted yesMay 14, 2026

LED Lighting Retrofit Purchase Order for Harris County Detention Facility

Voted yesMay 14, 2026

Harris County Courts Expansion Project Increment

Voted yesMay 14, 2026

Wage Compliance Review and DEO Policies

Voted noApr 16, 2026

Appointment of County Attorney

The appointment process felt unfair and lacked transparency.

Voted yesFeb 12, 2026

Appointment of County Administrator

Voted noJan 29, 2026

Compensation and Pay Equity Study Implementation and Retroactive Effective Date

Voted yesJan 8, 2026

Appointment of Jonathan Fandbon as County Attorney

Voted yesJan 8, 2026

Resolution Honoring Alex Bunnen

In the news (3)