[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6620832,"mediaKeyId","2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba","parentId",2803996,"title","Harris County commissioners debate next steps after county attorney files for Congress; court takes no immediate action","audioSeconds",810,"startMs",11110000,"endMs",11920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba&start=11110&end=11920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba/thumbnail_11110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6620832/Harris-County/Texas/Harris-County-commissioners-debate-next-steps-after-county-attorney-files-for-Congress-court-takes-no-immediate-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620832-0dafef1b23bc5ac6da2c3a2aa73eb6cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157713&Signature=h1tL~DEI3rI9EU0hmTZ6aCXa-vPTBkfMW-p3fG7yHH4ZEjMlF9uJBp2HmB7PaJ48EZH6fyUoefTPQy723l8pENm2ZeO6aW8c6yggh~83An59p2OCCp9Reu0QbPZkg4FTs25LYQ2O7pfzOzlxpxhxAj90pOI5R7~zyijGv5iyeqRJ7MQ1O183FLviZQt9qTd-knP7chPwPj5FY1nP5EXMdZXvuIXxZ4cV~h611mFrHh24Oe-mI02Wb5c51YNrCXdgP6bQSVM6QXHaD3TtADZ~znW1468MOom9YYcZbw~bOQbAHcZ0Pqw6Se06ydQTS98eSh1aB6sifdiejs7veXS2Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harris","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioners on March 27 discussed the consequences of County Attorney Christian Menifee’s decision to file for Congress and the resulting vacancy dynamics under Texas law. Several commissioners urged patience and requested clarity on the legal options; no appointment was made.

Commissioner Tom Ramsey introduced the issue to the court and proposed three potential responses: formally accept Menifee’s resignation, fill the position within 60 days, or appoint Jacqueline Lucy Smith — the candidate who received 49.2% of the county attorney vote last November — to the office. The motions were discussed but not adopted.

County legal counsel and other court members explained that under the Texas Constitution an officeholder who files for another office may continue to serve under the state\u001a\u001a\u001a\u001a\u001aholdover provision until a successor is appointed or until he takes another elected office. Commissioners heard that if Menifee is elected to Congress, the county attorney office would become vacant and the court would then have authority to make an interim appointment; state law also requires a special election cycle for county office vacancies in certain circumstances.

Several commissioners said they prefer to wait for an official gubernatorial call for a special election and to avoid a rushed interim appointment. Commissioner Lesley Briones specifically recommended not moving immediately and suggested the court await the governor\u001as timeline for a special congressional election. The court did not adopt the motions offered by Commissioner Ramsey and took no immediate action.

Why it matters: The county attorney’s office is the county’s principal legal adviser and represents the county in major litigation and contract work. An early appointment could create continuity concerns for ongoing projects; conversely, a delayed appointment leaves the office in a holdover status that may limit long-term planning.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to monitor developments at the state level and to prepare options for the court if the county attorney\u001as status changes. The court will revisit the matter if and when a gubernatorial special-election timetable is set.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harris - Commissioners Court - Mar 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed the county attorney Christian Menifee's decision to run for U.S. Congress and the legal holdover provision; court members favored waiting for the governor to call a special election and took no immediate appointment action.","taxTitle","Harris County, Texas","taxId",2707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6620837,"Harris County Commissioners urge Congress to pass American Dream and Promise Act; public comments support DACA",919,8281000,9200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba&start=8281&end=9200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba/thumbnail_8281000.jpg","/articles/6620837/Harris-County/Texas/Harris-County-Commissioners-urge-Congress-to-pass-American-Dream-and-Promise-Act-public-comments-support-DACA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620837-f6803243859cba61d4bf18e86e60a299/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157713&Signature=BI-K4iiKnlamtUiu8jIaBYHzoiJ5DRL9NgMjMrfYuhlTEJfI6ZcjxLc2kKsCFlAhTjBpkS8-bBeKk0KIGr5KKFrj5Fm3l4y~tYEI2bP7mTXqi9g~0Y6kRPNN~4~6yFEvtVhzfmK59hQoSbDY6S0TdFkzWbdF~yAETjqSooATg1Vyj4Rwk~QOEMaM8CHyO9c0ywg028vEEiSY~n2F4i3m0HOXqkj9453GHkgciG1R1vT0sZzBM6MEZ9Fa8jMHLC~0UHPCKpmrKzvoW5ZJsg1LAiZdHK6iiY83b8wIsSOlFqc2VHtGRRDf4pg0YBEDMUZ5guO1Ph2AsYFLPNxRj6ZR9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harris County Commissioners Court on March 27 adopted a resolution urging Congress to pass the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, which supporters say would provide conditional permanent status and a pathway to lawful permanent residency for qualifying Dreamers. The court approved the resolution after public comment from DACA recipients, immigrant-rights groups and faith leaders.

The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Lesley Briones and sponsored by Commissioner Adrian Garcia, notes local impacts of DACA — estimating more than 31,000 DACA beneficiaries in Harris County — and calls on Congress to act. The motion was approved by the court; recorded tallies show the resolution passed by a 4–1 vote.

Dozens of speakers used the public-comment period to describe the program’s local effects. Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL and a former DACA recipient, described DACA as a pathway that “opened doors” to education and public-service careers. Bridal Adame, a DACA recipient and Dreamers organizer, told the court that DACA makes a difference for families and employers and urged federal action to create permanent protections.

Speakers highlighted particular concerns about legal instability after recent federal appellate decisions and about adoptees with unclear citizenship records. An OCA leader argued the federal bill would close a child-adoption citizenship gap for thousands of people across the country.

What the resolution does: It declares county support for the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 and urges Harris County’s congressional delegation and Congress to pass legislation to create a pathway to status for eligible Dreamers. The resolution does not allocate county resources; it is an expression of policy.

Why it matters locally: Commissioners framed the issue as both an economic and community matter, citing Dreamers’ roles in health care, education and other critical sectors. Supporters told the court they consider the resolution an important local message to federal lawmakers.

Next steps: The court sent the resolution to Harris County’s federal legislative partners and asked county staff to provide an information package on how the county supports DACA recipients and immigrant families.","Commissioners Court adopted a resolution supporting the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025; dozens of constituents testified in support, including DACA recipients and immigrant-rights advocates.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6620842,"Harris County Commissioners adopt $20 minimum for county employees, contractors",268,8732000,9000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba&start=8732&end=9000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803996-f8a3124461995fbd1cc64eb5ab3aa8ba/thumbnail_8732000.jpg","/articles/6620842/Harris-County/Texas/Harris-County-Commissioners-adopt-20-minimum-for-county-employees-contractors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6620842-336bf6c0a2a9116ac7d13ba7a31472f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157713&Signature=meuYRRITXkDZBrwzabGMCzTvkn79jFYlFzMkPS3cjpCyJCEP6NTaqGLiJZ3kT1MRRG9a73xK8o4LBubjDE29o4q39vKJ0SkC1GDALRAZ-JQbqHowM~e489a3jkN5tEFroXViwNaKCDZWDiysOpFzr~Um0YL4NQevkm2d6ZCAGc-Epy4NuCXfWv8xWPKKIjLpMKAuqXgyDI-v5Mq4jTW9XpheKIbKoI96vmLFzqTaCnlMtmrhoTO3Nn6Cxn2w89QBVVnf0lluSdKzxOai34y9ump1vloMxq4dvQoPc2VKrXc4PrWoTzZMUm7obsTZTID~fO5osKkAVyjipZM1T3BhnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harris County Commissioners Court voted on March 27 to adopt a policy setting a $20 per hour minimum for eligible county employees and certain contracted workers, with the policy tied to a market index and phased implementation. The motion, as amended and adopted by the court, directs staff to incorporate the new floor into county compensation structures effective May 3, 2025, and sets out standards for contractor compliance.

The court’s action followed months of staff work, union advocacy and a public briefing. Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who introduced the item earlier in the year, said the move is intended to make county jobs more sustainable for working families and to align Harris County with other large Texas jurisdictions. “Living wage is a matter of justice, equity, and inclusion,” said Commissioner Ellis as he urged support for the proposal.

Labor leaders and union representatives addressed the court before the vote. Elsa Flores of SEIU Texas told commissioners that the proposal would allow many county workers “to take care of their families with dignity,” and the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation and Harris County Essential Workers Board also expressed support.

The final adopted policy incorporates an MIT-based living-wage indexing mechanism and includes exempt categories, federal-grant compatibility language, and a path for departments to implement the new floor. The court asked county staff to return with implementation guidance and to identify any federal or statutory restrictions that would affect specific funded programs, and to coordinate changes into the FY26 budget cycle where appropriate.

What the vote means: the new minimum becomes the anchor point for the county’s compensation structure going forward and will be used in the pay-equity and compensation study currently under way. Commissioners and labor representatives said they expect the new floor to reduce turnover among lower-paid staff and improve recruitment in frontline roles such as maintenance, food service and custodial work.

Looking ahead: county human resources staff and outside consultants will incorporate the $20 floor into the broader compensation and pay-equity study and will present planned next steps and cost projections to the court. The court also requested guidance from the county attorney and OMB about how the policy intersects with federal-grant-funded positions and procurement rules.","The Commissioners Court voted to adopt a $20 hourly minimum wage for eligible county employees and contractors, tied to a market index and phased implementation; vote followed staff briefings and union advocacy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harris County commissioners debate next steps after county attorney files for Congress; court takes no immediate action

Harris County Commissioners urge Congress to pass American Dream and Promise Act; public comments support DACA

Harris County Commissioners adopt $20 minimum for county employees, contractors