Texas officials accuse Harris County of slashing constables’ budgets — but they’re actually going up

Comptroller Glenn Hegar has accused Harris County of violating a new state law by cutting spending on its constables' offices. The county increased all constables' budgets last year and plans to increase them again in its proposed budget. (Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune)

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar threatened to block Harris County from enacting its proposed $2.2 billion annual spending plan over accusations that officials in the state’s most populous county have cut spending on its constables — even though those offices would get big boosts to their budgets.

Hegar claims the county has violated state laws passed last year to stop cities and counties from cutting police spending in the wake of national protests following George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.