Director of Communications Amery.Reid@pct3.hctx.net Direct: 281-840-0099
“Today was a new low in county commissioner politics affecting only Precinct 3 and 4 residents. In response to Commissioner Cagle and I representing the wishes of our residents regarding the 2023 budget, Commissioner Garcia, aided by Commissioner Ellis and Judge Hidalgo, pulled Precincts 3 and 4 action items from today’s agenda. The items include residents’ community center wellness classes, community maintenance schedules, flood rescue equipment, and roadway and drainage projects.
Going after each other’s infrastructure projects and resident services sets a dangerous precedent. I asked to set aside $20M for more patrol officers. For this, Judge Hidalgo and Commissioners Ellis and Garcia are punishing Precinct 3 residents by, yet again, disrupting Precinct 3 services and projects. This is retaliation against Harris County residents at its lowest level. It punishes residents because they disagree about having a responsible fiscal budget. It’s childish and embarrassing for the court and Harris County.
Previously, Commissioners have held an agreement to respect the boundaries of one another’s Precinct. Today’s action is the latest example of Precinct 3 residents being stripped of services by the current Court.
October 2021 saw the largest redistricting of its kind in Harris County with the swap of Precincts 3 and 4 and their voters, placing 47% of all unincorporated County portions within Precinct 3, yet restricting the Precinct to only 25% of the budget for services.”