Harris County, Texas, has allocated between $3.3 million and $5.5 million in taxpayer funds to lobbying efforts since 2023, according to data compiled from Transparency USA and OpenSecrets.
Transparency USA reports that various county departments and affiliated entities have engaged in lobbying activities at the state level.
Notable expenditures include:
- Harris County Commissioners Court: $345,340–$844,910
- Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority: $395,860–$938,520
- North Harris County Regional Water Authority: $208,700–$459,150
- Harris County Hospital District (Harris Health System): $21,520–$387,730
- Harris County Department of Education: $125,220–$354,790
- Harris County Attorney’s Office: $158,160–$358,050
- Harris County Emergency Services Districts Nos. 2, 6, 12, and 50: Each ranging from $104,350 to $228,920
At the federal level, OpenSecrets reports that Harris County and its subsidiaries, including the sheriff’s office and commissioner precincts 2 and 4, spent a combined total of $640,000 on lobbying activities in 2023 and the same amount in 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025, these entities have already expended $160,000 on federal lobbying efforts.
Before a vote to increase pay for sheriff deputies last week for $140 million, the county was reportedly already facing a $130 million deficit. According to County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county now faces a $270 million deficit.
The practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying has been a contentious issue in Texas politics.
According to a survey by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, 81 percent of Texans oppose taxpayer-funded lobbying.
Local governments spent $98 million in 2023 to lobby the state government, using tax dollars that could go to public safety, infrastructure, or tax relief, according to a report by the TPPF.
Critics argue that local governments use taxpayer money to lobby for policies that may not align with the interests of citizens. Local governments that spend tax dollars to hire lobbyists oftentimes do so to secure higher taxes, more spending, and provide greater regulatory authority, according to the TPPF report.
James Quintero with TPPF told Texas Scorecard, “Harris County is among the worst abusers of this practice and no one—except county government and its paid advocates—are better for it.”
A ban on the practice passed the Senate, but was killed in the House.
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