After weeks of debate, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved its 2026 fiscal year budget. Budget supporters said it helps prioritize paying first responders and maintaining community services while also right-sizing several departments. “We closed the deficit, we protected all core services, there will be little to any impact to any forward-facing services,” Commissioner Lesley Briones said. On Wednesday, several people who signed up to speak were critical of the decision to give raises to law enforcement, including a 62% pay raise to Harris County constables and a raise for Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Several deputies spoke at Wednesday’s meeting to celebrate the raise.