Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was publicly rebuked this week after attempting — for the third time — to rewrite county policy so she could justify a controversial “trade mission” to Paris.
The proposal would have changed the county’s travel rules to expand what qualifies as an “extraordinary circumstance” for taxpayer-funded international trips, including foreign investment visits and global conferences. But the measure failed in a 2–2 vote, preserving the current restrictions.
Hidalgo had previously requested $23,000 in public funds to support a Paris trip in May, attempting to conceal the destination at first. The county denied the request. She later paid for the trip using political donations but continued trying to change the rules after the fact.
During this week’s vote, Hidalgo directly challenged Democrat Commissioner Adrian Garcia over his “no” vote. Garcia refused to elaborate and said only that he would “continue voting no.” Commissioner Rodney Ellis sided with Hidalgo, while Commissioner Tom Ramsey opposed the change. Commissioner Lesley Briones was absent.
The county fire marshal had also denied Hidalgo’s request for a security detail on the Paris trip due to policy restrictions. She has since argued the inability to bring security put her at risk and that taxpayer funding would have ensured better transparency and safety.
Critics say the proposal is just a backdoor attempt to normalize taxpayer-funded junkets — with minimal oversight — while the county faces a projected $270 million budget shortfall.
Only one Democrat — Commissioner Adrian Garcia (D) — broke ranks to vote against the change. Another Democrat, Commissioner Lesley Briones (D), skipped the vote entirely. Commissioner Rodney Ellis (D) supported the proposal. Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey (R) also voted no. Judge Lina Hidalgo (D), who authored the policy change, voted yes.
Hidalgo continues to defend the Paris trip, but even her own court won’t back her push to rewrite the rules. She’s now failed three times to pass the policy — and despite that, she’s signaled plans for more international travel.