Know Your Government — Week 3: Harris County Commissioners Court

Last week we looked at your school boards. This week we go up a level — to the body that controls the largest chunk of your property tax bill: Harris County Commissioners Court. Despite the name, it's not a courtroom — it's the county's governing body. Five elected officials control a budget over $5 billion and make decisions affecting 4.7 million residents across more than 30 cities.

Who sits on it: County Judge Lina Hidalgo (countywide, presides); Precinct 1 Rodney Ellis; Precinct 2 Adrian Garcia (your commissioner); Precinct 3 Tom S. Ramsey, P.E.; Precinct 4 Lesley Briones.

Why care: Commissioners Court sets your property tax rate and funds criminal justice, roads, bridges, and flood control. Potholes in unincorporated areas, recurring flooding — this is where those calls get made. They meet Tuesdays at 10 AM, Harris County Administration Building, 1001 Preston, Houston; meetings stream live and archive at harriscountytx.gov.

How to participate: watch the agenda (posted 3-plus days ahead) at agenda.harriscountytx.gov; register to speak at appearancerequest.harriscountytx.gov; contact Commissioner Garcia's office at hcp2.com.

One action this week: look up the next Commissioners Court agenda and find one item that affects your daily life. You might be surprised what's decided without your input.

Come prepared: after each meeting the County Clerk publishes how each commissioner voted (cclerk.hctx.net); Commissioner Ramsey's office posts detailed Court Recaps at pct3.com.

Watch on YouTube →

Liberty Watch — Your Government, This Week

Commissioners Court is this week's civic centerpiece (above). Mid-January council cadence continues — Deer Park & Pasadena Jan 20; La Porte Jan 12 & 26.

Prosperity Spotlight

Deer Park Jewelry Factory — family-owned and Christian-based since 1984, two generations serving Deer Park and Pasadena. Manufacturer and retailer of fine jewelry and diamonds; custom designs a specialty; repairs on jewelry, watches, and clocks. 4005 Center St, Deer Park · jewelryfactorydeerpark.com.

Colonial House of Sandwiches — 1125 S Broadway St, La Porte. Comfort-food sandwiches.

The Brisket House — 3217 Center St, Deer Park. BBQ and comfort plates.

Ken's Restaurant — 1122 Center St, Deer Park. Long-running home cooking; popular breakfast.

Growth & Learning

Tuttle Twins — illustrated books teaching kids 5–11 about free markets, personal responsibility, and individual liberty; a natural complement to "Know Your Schools."

Check out the Tuttle Twins →

Affiliate link — David uses these with his own kids.

Carried over: the La Porte Public Library's $20,000 Hancher Foundation digitization grant, 34 La Porte HS AP Scholars, San Jacinto College's $500,000 Houston Endowment grant and new leadership, and two local Certified Emergency Manager credentials — all detailed in our Week-1 Growth & Learning roundup.

We spend a lot of ink holding government accountable for financial sustainability. Fair question back at us: how sustainable are your own finances? Since last August I've run a simple, almost boring options framework — target around 1% a week, an hour or two to manage, none of the day-trading drama. It runs on the philosophy we preach here: systems over speculation, consistency over chaos, control what you can actually control. (It's the framework I use personally; the founder goes by Troy.)

Check out Low Stress Options →

Sponsors support the mission, never influence the message — I don't recommend anything I don't use.

Service Spotlight — CrowdHealth

My family of four has never carried traditional health insurance. We used a health-sharing ministry for years and recently switched to CrowdHealth. The model: a per-person monthly subscription for the platform and advocacy team, then each month you contribute toward another member's bills — never more than your set max. When you have an event, you pay a $500 commitment and the community covers the rest. We're testing it live right now on a $6,000 ER visit — CrowdHealth negotiates it down, I pay $500, the crowd covers the rest. No claims department, no denial letters. Our family runs roughly $400–660/month versus $1,500–2,500 for traditional Texas family coverage. What sold me: unlike an insurer, CrowdHealth doesn't profit from sickness — it's members helping members.

Learn how CrowdHealth works →

Referral link; paying member since January.

Service Opportunities

Deer Park Community Food Pantry — at DPUMC, 1300 E Thirteenth St; serves Deer Park ISD families; Tue & Thu 10 AM–2 PM; (832) 583-3663. Donations and volunteers welcome.

Your School District Needs You — campus volunteer programs across all three districts, La Porte ISD HELPS Mentoring, the education foundations, and CTE career-day speakers. You don't need a child in school to help.

Loving La Porte — Michael and Kristy Hanks joined Joseph Daughtery, who feeds 80–150 kids at the La Porte Library after school, 3–4 times a week, out of his own pocket. They're building toward a community center (food pantry, clothing, life skills, laundry, tutoring). 84% of La Porte Elementary students live below the poverty line. Volunteer: setup 2:15 PM weekdays, Harris County Library, La Porte. Donate: Michael Hanks, 832-867-3499, mhanks11@hotmail.com. LovingLaPorte.org.

Blue Santa milestone — La Porte PD served nearly 1,000 children this season (up from 600–700). Registration reopens October 2026.

Pet of the Week

Moto Moto — a charming, fixed senior terrier; laid-back, loves snacks, naps, and back scratches. Deer Park Animal Shelter, 4221 Luella Ave.

Community Calendar

MLK Unity Parade — Mon Jan 19, Downtown Houston. The city's first MLK Unity Parade (City of Houston, Black Heritage Society, MLK Grande Parade).

Murder Mystery Dinner — Thu Jan 22, 6–10:30 PM, FountainBlu, 6327 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena. 1920s Jazz theme; benefits New Beginnings Sarah's House.

Pasadena Strawberry Festival Kickoff Party — Sat Jan 24, 11 AM–3 PM, Pasadena Fairgrounds, Campbell Hall.

From Local Theory

New Year, New Mountain playlist.

Take Action This Week

Pull up the next Commissioners Court agenda and find one item that affects your life · attend or watch a meeting · check how your commissioner voted at cclerk.hctx.net.

Value for Value

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