Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s strange display in Commissioners Court last week may have severe implications on her future as an elected representative. The bigger picture, Democratic Party leaders say, is that residents have now missed out on an opportunity to fund services slashed by the state and federal government.

At the August 7 Commissioners Court meeting , Hidalgo asked colleagues to join her in putting a one-cent tax increase on the November ballot for an early childhood education program funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars that expire next year.

Hidalgo appeared frantic as she encouraged a crowd of children to help her count to three — the number of votes she needed to get the item on the ballot — and frequently interrupted other elected officials who tried to expl

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