HOUSTON – Harris County commissioners voted 3 to 1 to censure Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday after a wild meeting in court.

Hidalgo reportedly interrupted other commissioners repeatedly because she was upset that her proposal for a tax increase for early childhood education on the November ballot had failed.

The county judge had proposed the tax increase to continue funding child care programs that began with federal pandemic relief money, which is set to expire next year. The measure would have allowed voters to decide whether to support expanded child care slots and quality improvements.

Hidalgo invited children and teachers to the courtroom to try to persuade the court. She then called recess once it became clear the measure did not have the votes.

Fellow commissioner

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