HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Harris County penny tax proposal turned into childcare chaos during Thursday's commissioners court meeting as Judge Lina Hidalgo took her proposal for a tax increase.

The proposed increase, which is being referred to as a penny tax, would have cost Harris County homeowners an extra $10 per year for every $100,000 of home valuation, according to the county judge. Hidalgo claims the average homeowner would pay $24 more per month.

Hidalgo, who first brought up the proposal in an interview with ABC13, says the increase would have allowed the Early REACH program to continue operations.

The program, which allows eligible kids four and under to receive free child care, has previously been funded with federal funds related to COVID-19 relief.

Hidalgo says

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